BARCELONA 2000 While drinking in the our local, the Market Inn Pub, Brighton, someone came up with the idea of going away every year for a 'Boy's Drinking Weekend'. Barcelona was to be the destination. On April 28th 2000, after months of waiting, it was time to go. GETTING UP Trying not to wake anyone, I crept about the flat organizing those last minute matters, which would ultimately made all the difference. Namely, making sure the toothbrush, the alarm clock, deodorant and passport were packed. Once I was happy, which ultimately I was, I set forth to embark upon the journey to Barcelona, the adventure had begun. THE DRIVE Yes, I arrived at the wrong terminal, though I blame the 'travel booking girl' for that piece of mis-information. Having booked in the wait was on. To pass the time I brought two books, 'Others' by James Herbert and 'The Phantom Menace' by Terry Brooks, of-which I read the first couple of chapters from each. I drank some coffee and smoked some cigarettes, before I knew it, it was time to board. THE FLIGHT The first glance I got of Barcelona was from the plane, as the pilot made his final approach. The first thing that struck me was its size. The Mark of Man had spread its tentacles of domination, far and wide across Mother Nature's skin. The City was a sprawling collection of mighty architecture, interspersed with large areas dedicated to industry, a very impressive sight in-deed, I was even able to make out some distinctive areas, that once seen from the sky, was later able to seen on foot, specifically the Harbour. Having said that my first impression of Barcelona from the air surpassed my expectations, my first impression of Barcelona once on ground didn't. All I saw as I walked out of the airport onto Spanish soil was an expansive car park. I just couldn't wait to get to the bosom of the city. THE WAIT Another peculiar exchange took place as I was sat at a table drinking a coffee; a woman came up to the table and placed a card and a lighter on it then left. The lighter was in a shape of a woman, wearing a blue bikini. The card read: I am deaf and dumb, Or words to that effect, the woman did this on all the tables; she then walked around, picking them all up again. In my case, she picked up the card, 500 Pesetas, and no lighter; in other cases she picked up the card and a lighter. No harassment, just a civilized and respectable exchange. I was very impressed, for its something you'll never see happen in England. The only bonus of spending 5 hours waiting was looking at all the exceptionally attractive women, for that was what kept me going. But as it always does, time ticks away, drawing closer the moment when the boys arrive. THE BOYS ARRIVE Suffice to say, a hundred questions were spinning around my head, a hundred questions that disappeared in a flash, as I saw the boys walk through the glass doors, onto to elevator, waving to me in recognition. It was the happiest moment of my life! INTO THE HEART OF BARCELONA Andy did his research well, for we found it with ease. When in our rooms, Peadar and I in one, Phil and Andy in another, we gave ourselves half an hour to get ready, before exploring. So about 1900 hrs, all four of us, left the hotel, the adventure was underway. FOOD DRINK This was our first opportunity to marvel at the spirit, sights and sounds of the city. We wondered through the many walkways, down the many alleyways, struck by awe by the sight of the commanding presence of the Cathedral, bowled over by the gothic architecture of the Palau De La Generaitat, the area in which we now found ourselves. Though one thing I'll always remember, were the sounds. For the bells rang out tunes unlike any I have heard before. The accumulating effect, lifting my heart and soul, to an exquisitely enchanting level. Initially finding a bar was rather difficult, because most of the places we passed were restaurants, we wanted bars, and nothing else would do. It didn't take us long to find one, then several more. During this time of unadulterated overindulgence, the friendship that has been so strong, that’s lasted for so long, was clearly evident. As the beer flowed, the stories, hopes, dreams, our most funny exploits, our most embarrassing actions, our most courageous deeds, all came forth. We laughed, until we nearly cried, we slapped each other on the back and said "nice try". Happy and contented in each other's company. THE GAME OF POOL Doubles was the idea, Andy and I, against Phil and Peadar, best of three. After the first game, I said "No more". Andy Clarke, a guy you can love but never hate. I played a bad shot, understandable considering firstly that I was drunk, secondly that I didn't care, whether the shot was good or bad, and thirdly because bad shots just happen; you never intentionally play a bad shot. And it wasn't as if it was just I playing the bad shots, Andy equaled me all the way. But the way Andy reacted, wow; you would have thought I had just pissed into his beer bottle. He manhandled me. Told me how to play my shots and generally berated me on my potting decisions. I wasn't having any of it. For me the whole reason of going to Barcelona, apart from seeing the boys again, was to get away from an environment of berating, being told what to do and how to do it, of being shouted at and critized for every action. I get that at work, this was play. So I made my feelings known. Andy and I went onto to win 2 games to 1. The whole episode has taught me one thing; never play pool with Andy Clarke again! THE GUY WHO TRIED TO SHAG ME While in these bars we managed to make a few friends, the barmaid of a 'heavy meta' bar that we visited was a nice woman. The Scouse and Cuban guy we met in another, was equally nice, though the Cuban was abit, of a pain in the neck to say the least. When 0300 hrs reared it's timely head, once the bars began to empty, it was decision time as to whether to goto bed or carry on drinking. It was an easy decision to carry. The atmosphere of the City, decided it for us. ONWARDS TO THE HARBOUR THE FISH After spending a few minutes watching the fish, we descended upon the nightclubs. THE NIGHTCLUBS We were very drunk by this time, we felt good, we looked good, and we danced good. By God we were good. Shame Andy never felt the same way. For the night had taken its toll. I suppose it had something to do with his age, being that bit older than us, he just couldn't keep up with the pace. While we danced, Andy sat outside feeling his lungs with the Spanish air, and then he disappeared. We later learnt he simply walked back. THE LONG WALK HOME Safely back at the hotel we all collapsed onto our allocated beds, deep slumbered sleep immediately following. I managed to undress and get under the sheets, though Peadar couldn't manage such a simple task. He lay fully clothed on his bed, pulled one off my sheets over himself and slept. When I did stir him to point out the error of his ways, he just looked at me in disgust and slated me for being so ridiculous. "But Pad, you're laying on your sheets, now let me have mine back." "Shut up, Maaatt, yyour, blah blah blah", he had fallen asleep! 6 hours later I awoke with a start, thinking 'I am in Barcelona aren't I'? Looking beside me and seeing Pad clutching at my sheet, confirmed that I was. The time was 1155 hrs, time to get up. I said this to Peadar, he only got up once I convinced him that the time really was 1155 hrs, for he was sure he had only been asleep for what seemed like 10 minutes. After the phone call to Andy to tell him the same, the game was on. Half an hour to get ready, so we can do it all again. THE START OF A NEW DAY The plan was to find somewhere to have breakfast, look about the city, and of course drink some more beer. An easy task if it wasn't for the hangovers that then invaded upon Peadar and Phil. Peadar had to leave the shop to get some fresh air, worrying that he maybe sick, Phil just simply, very nearly, fell asleep at the table. Though thankfully our consumed breakfast stayed down, we were fed and watered, the adventure could continue unabated. The first point of interest that we came along was outside the Cathedral. For prancing about were a group of dancers, some were dancing on an erected stage; others were practicing their dance moves on the ground. It was a nice sight, considering all the EAW's, and funnily enough, while watching television that night, on came the dancers; a camera crew had obviously been there and caught on film what we saw with our own eyes. After milling about the square, we continued our journey down towards the harbour. Again we marveled at the architecture of Barcelona, simply indulging in the sights, smells and sounds of the city. THE PUB CRAWL CONTINUES Then onto the harbour itself, where surprise surprise we found another bar to rest our weary bodies only to order another 4 beers. Though this bar was a little different than the rest. It was a boat! THE RULES BY THE BEACH While at a bar, over looking the Sea, a young boy inadvertently threw his ball high into the leafage of a nearby palm tree. Suffice to say his ball got well and truly stuck. We all laughed as we watched the boy try and shake the mighty palm tree, in a vain attempt at dislodging it. We watched further as himself, his brother and father tried throwing a bottle of water into the leaves, yearning to hit the ball back to the ground. Sadly they eventually left the scene without success. But to give credit where credit is due, they didn't half try! THE MEAL I ordered Sea Bass along with Peadar, Phil lamb, Andy Monk-fish, and I must say that when the meals arrived I was far from impressed. Though the atmosphere was pleasant, and all in all we had a good meal. When it came to paying the bill, I placed a 5000 Peseta note onto the tray, Peadar picked it up and then in front off everyone placed it back down saying "There you are guys, here's my share." The problem being, everyone believed him, it took me long enough to persuade Andy and Phil otherwise. With the meal consumed we decided it was time to head back to the hotel, get ready again for another night in the city. The walk back was just too much, so we caught the metro. We had to queue up for the ticket, Andy was getting impatient, he was trying to get us to jump over the ticket barriers, a fair assumption considering that while we waited in the queue about half a dozen people did just that. We enjoyed one last beer before eventually returning to the hotel, the conversation that followed was about politics, and as always when we talk about politics, the discussion became heated. Now to put the record straight, one of the contentions of the discussion was that Peadar believed it to be a duty for a citizen to vote, he became despaired with me when I said I never voted at the last election. The truth is I did, I voted for Labour and only tell people that I never because I'm ashamed I did. Though with that aside, back to the adventure. ANOTHER NIGHT IN THE CITY The plan would have worked well, if it wasn't for Phil and Peadar falling asleep as soon as their backs hit the bed. Phil recovered but Peadar was still laid out, we tried to reason with him to get up, to get with the program, Andy even tried wrestling him of the bed, but it was Phil's quick thinking, as he up lifted the bed, slipping Andy and Peadar onto the floor that finally got Peadar on his feet. It was now my last night in Barcelona; the others were scheduled to leave a few days later. I was determined to go out and have a good time, simply carrying on where we left off. MORE BEER We had a drink in one particular bar, where when Andy ordered the drinks, the barman returned with 4, litre and a half glasses shaped as boots, filled with beer. I haven't seen anything like it; I just thanked my lucky stars that it was Phil's round! THE DEN OF INIQUITY My first 'Strip Show', I just didn't know what to expect. Though what I did see certainly surpassed my expectations. A woman dressed as a nun who did the most seductive striptease I've ever seen, and who then magically brings out a vibrator from her bible, to do things to her body, that would make most women scream. It was great! Another stripper who volunteered someone from the audience, stripped him completely on stage, and then covered his manhood with whipped cream, tied tissue around it, sticking the rest of the tissue up his bum, before leaving the stage, with the volunteer left standing. Now that was funny! We just had to leave after the fourth striptease; it was getting too much for us, valuable drinking time was being lost. We again visited the same nightclubs that we visited the previous night, moved our bodies about the dance floor, not a lot, I for one was feeling the drain. So we left to return earlier than before. THE NIGHT COMES TO A CLOSE Roughly 3 hours later I was up, I woke Peadar up who kindly walked me to the bus stop where I caught the bus back to the airport. My Barcelonan adventure was coming to an end. The curtain was being drawn. I never got to say goodbye to Phil and Andy, though in a friendship like ours, there aren't ever any goodbyes. The bus ride passed without incident, as with the flight. My car was safe and sound, in the same spot where I left it. A charge of DM 117 allowed me to drive it away. I was back in Germany, Barcelona now only a memory, but a memory to last a lifetime.
© Copyright 2007 Matthew Taylor |
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