This post is part of the Europe & Asia 2005 Retrospectives series. It is a raw record of the journey, preserved exactly as it was written in internet cafes and sent as an email to family and friends. While my travel style has evolved, the desire to experience the world and the wanderlust expressed in these notes remain the same.
Original Email Date: October 20, 2005
Location(s): Marseille, France, and Barcelona, Spain
Hola from Barcelona!!
After leaving Paris, I went to Marseilles specifically to see the Chateau d´If (the prison in the Count of Monte Cristo), but it was closed. This turned out to be a great thing because I had to find something else to do. So instead, I spent the day scuba diving in the Mediterranean - it was fabulous!!
From Marseilles, I took an overnight train to Barcelona, and on my way here, I met another solo traveller from Brazil, so we have been seeing the sights together. The only problem is that he speaks 4 languages, but not English. So my un poco Espanol, hand signals, and pointing have been our form of communication.
On Day 1, we went to La Sagrada Familia. The part that is completed is pretty incredible, but in my opinion, it resembles a huge construction site (sorry GB - I was not as impressed as you). Afterwards, we had cocktails before meeting MC and IS for dinner and dancing (MC- I never knew you were such a good dancer).
On Day 2, we went to the Barcelona Futbol Stadium (okay - I was with a guy and he´s Brazilian and they take their soccer seriously). Anyways, it was pretty interesting - there is a whole tour and a museum. SW - You would appreciate it.
Today (Day 3), I spent the morning at the Picasso Museum and the afternoon at the Park Güell (another Gaudí
creation). My guidebook indicated that Dr. Seuss would feel completely at home there, and it is definitely the truth - the buildings look like cupcakes.
In a couple of hours, I will be leaving for Rome, so more to come from Italia!!!
Hasta Luego,
Corissa
TG - Hope you had great weather at Arenal. Tell N I went diving in the Mediterranean, but he wouldn´t like it because there are no big fish.
JS - Definitely get a 3 series. I love mine!! Also, I have been coordinating via email. It´s a challenge, but it´s working (for the most part).
JL - What kind of shape is the place in? I hope we haven´t acquired any more TVs or a ticker...
LC - Thanks for the U2 updates. I can´t believe that you saw Springsteen jam with them and got into the ellipse all in one week!!! I hope you get backstage at the next show. :)
The Retrospective Reflection (2026)
Looking back on this entry, I am reminded of how travel once required greater patience and improvisation. Without a smartphone to instantly book a backup activity, a closed museum meant literally walking around until I found a dive shop. Also, there are no pictures from the dive. In 2005, I was a newish diver and not yet equipped with an underwater camera.
I also laugh at the memory of my "un poco Espanol" and hand signals. Today, we have instant translation apps, but in 2005, you navigated new friendships and cities through sheer effort and the hope that pointing in the right direction was enough.
Seeing the Sagrada Familia through the lens of a "construction site" is a reminder that some monuments are living, breathing projects that span generations. Since this trip, I have been to the Sagrada Familia several more times, and it remains under construction.
