We thought Spain was full of Spaniards…typical us.

In an effort to keep costs down we have attempted “couchsurfing.” We have belonged to the community of “couch surfers” for a couple of years and have yet to make a real effort to stay with anyone. After re-entering Europe from Morroco we started emailing dozens of fellow couch surfers for a place to stay in Barcelona. Needless to say, we weren’t met with any real success finding free room. We did, however, receive one reply from Paul, a fellow couch surfer who runs a small tour operation outside of Barcelona who was willing to give us free room for two nights, after which we would have to pay for the subsequent nights. We decided to stay with Paul at the “No Worries Villa” due to the relatively low price.

Budget Travel Rule #1 – Make sure you have detailed directions to where you are going to be staying. Detail what public transport to take and what time to take it. Note the phone number for the place you are staying and an exact address.

Arriving in Barcelona early from an overnight train, we realized that we didn’t know where we were going. About 5 Euros worth of change eaten by a payphone and metro ride to an obscure town on the outskirts of Barcelona we found our way to the No Worries. Untold numbers of couch surfers have been lured to this lovely old Spanish villa nestled in the hills outside of Barcelona. We were given private accommodation amidst dorm rooms filled with bunk beds. Relieved of our bags and thoroughly confused by the cult-like atmosphere of the Villa we decided to go back into the city for the day.

The Sagrada Familia, chuch, like no other church in the world

A giant food market

Full cured pigs legs that are thinly sliced for your eating pleasure, Spanish prosciutto.

Barcelona won us over instantly, the Dr. Seuss-like surrealist art and architecture combined with medieval cobblestone roads and buildings, makes for a very magical place. We spent the next few days sleeping late and venturing into the city until we felt the need to go home. We really changed our pace there, taking everything in stride.

Drinking form an ancient fountain in the Cathedral of Barcelona, the water was excellent.

Graffiti is one of the dominant art forms in the city

No need to explain why we find this funny

The set of a beautiful water fountain show that we watched for hours one night

View of Barcelona from Guell Park

Guell park with our Barcelona travel mate