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Four Days, One Van, and a Very Sore Back!

Capervan

We have lived in Barcelona for seven months now without traveling anywhere. We decided we needed an adventure but not on a plane or a train.

We rented this Volkswagen California van for 4 days. The price was reasonable. We rented the bedding too, and a kitchen package. We had towels from Turkey and food from our apartment.  We packed a few articles of clothing, the stovetop expresso maker and some food into a suitcase along with my pillow. Simplifies the moving process.
I jokingly told my partner, Maximo, that he was out of practice with moving luggage, since we hadn’t traveled anywhere in months. He told me he was an expert and then dealt with the bag.

The pickup point for Roadsurfer says it’s in Barcelona, but it’s actually in Viladecans, which is a 30-minute cab ride from our apartment in Garcias.

campervans
Checking in was pretty simple

Checking in was pretty simple, since most of the work was done on the website, but, like anything, it takes time to go through the complete list.

The van we rented was a Volkswagen California beach model. It’s pretty small, but it features a manual pop-top roof, and located in the rear of the van is a couch that becomes a bed, an electric cooler, and a single 5propane burner.

The woman who checked us in was named Gerta and she had worked with this company for many years.  I asked her who the people were renting these vans… she said, “hippies.” I had to stop myself from laughing out loud because I do remember the original Volkswagen vans.

camporvan
Years ago, camping

Years ago, they were okay to camp out in, but when driving up a hill, the joke was that you could walk faster than the van could go. Fond memories!!! Wow! Almost 50 years ago.

After receiving our instructions on how to use everything  it was time to hit the road. We had a full tank of diesel, and it was only 1 o’clock. Maximo is the driver, and my job is the navigator.

And of course, for us, the first thing we wanted was to get a coffee, but we decided to drive for an hour before stopping.

Driving the secondary roads

Driving the secondary roads, we are usually assured a scenic route. In Spain, every city or town has a church in the middle of the town or at the highest elevation. Nearby is the open-air market that sells mostly fresh food, including meats, fruits, and vegetables.

Stopping at a market is meeting the town’s folk where they live.  The quality of food is very good, and so many casero foods [homemade] are offered. In Cataluña, the bread is fresh and comes slathered with tomatoes. The sausages are made of various types of meat, and the Iberian ham is delicious. The prices of fresh food is not as high as in, say, the USA.

We love shopping at these markets, and today we really don’t need anything except maybe some fruit. On this road trip, we will not be cooking; we will be finding local restaurants to eat at.

We find our coffee while camping

We find our coffee at a small restaurant up in the hills. We enter and see the wood-fired cooking area. We look at each other and wish we were hungry because the food on the tables looks great.  Alas, we buy our coffee to go, promising the restaurant’s maître d’ that we will return later in the day. This is one of the habits that you acquire while living in Spain. You always say you will return.

We continued our driving for another 90 minutes before arriving at our camping destination in the small town of Bagaure. It’s early in the season, and we are the only people spending the night. We meet a young tech guy working remotely from this campground.  He’s been living here for a couple of weeks saying, “It’s inexpensive and has great internet coverage”.

The next step for us, as it’s getting dark, is to make our bed. Sunset is at 6.30. We are parked close to the bathrooms and showers. Plugged into the electrical outlet with our cord, we started making the bed.  This happens by transforming the back seats into a lying-down position and adding a folded-up cushion. We unfastened the manual pop-top roof, and now Maximo can stand up in the van. The heater runs separately from the motor, so we will stay toasty warm as temperatures are expected to drop to almost freezing.

Next is dinner

Next is dinner, which the camp host, Alina, has agreed to cook for us. We chose lamb, salad, and potatoes, agreeing to return at 7.30 for dinner.

As the bed was made, we decided to explore the old town down the road across the river. The drive was short, and the town was built up the hill. The roads are closed to everyone except locals. Most of the town looks deserted, and the one restaurant is closed on weekends. Rain turned a small stream into a wide river, flooding the surrounding landscape.

After driving for 10 minutes crossing the bridge over the roaring river, it was time to return, as it was getting dark and we were hungry.

Dinner was delicious

Dinner was delicious; we enjoyed the food and had a couple of alcohol-free beers. The stars came out in the pitch-black sky, but OMG, it was so cold, I couldn’t stay out. At 9pm, it was time for bed!

Frequent waking is not ideal for camping, but somehow we made it through the night, and at 8.30 our host emailed and said coffee was on. We enjoyed the hot beverages and ate bread with cheese and ham from our food stash.

Leaving the campgrounds shortly after 9,we drove through the foggy valley.  Slowly,with the passing of time and the earth warming up, the fog dissipated, and the sun returned.

We were off to

We were off to visit a place called the Sweet Revolution. Maximo had discovered this place years ago, as this is a farm that grows and distributes natural medicinal plants and herbs. The farm was founded Miguel Figueroa, a social activist who believes and practices the idea that plants can cure most diseases. The farm site located off the main road is huge, filled with open-air greenhouses. On Saturdays, the gardens are open to the public for plant purchases and escorted tours. The greenhouses are organized by the diseases the plants can help cure. Insomnia, high blood pressure, etc.

The variety of plant material is very impressive, and, of course, we bought a few plants for our apartment.
We spent quite a time walking through the greenhouses. This was an impressive stop.

While walking through the greenhouses, I noticed my back was very sore from sleeping on the mattress in the campervan. I was thinking that it would not be advisable to spend another night in the van. Plus, I looked at the weather forecast, and it was much warmer and sunnier at the beach.

Off we went to

Off we went to Tarragona, which was another 90-minute drive, with another coffee stop along the way.  Discovering a place for us to stay at a campground that offered not only camping sites but also rooms and mobile homes. Wahooo, said my body. A real bed.

We rented this campervan because we thought to buy a similar vehicle next year. We discovered that this vehicle was too small for us to move around in and be  comfortable, with no bathroom and no kitchen either, so we mutually decided to rule out this smaller van.

Arriving in Hospitalet de Infante just south of Tarragona, we registered and rented a small mobile home for two nights. My back was so happy not to spend the night in the van!!!

The place was just

This place was just what we wanted, right on the Mediterranean with maybe 50 campsites. Quiet, not many young children running around, screaming their heads off at play. What we discovered were mostly campervans from Germany and Belgium, driven by retirees, some with dogs.
The most impressive feature was the deserted sand beach that stretched for quite a distance, and maybe 10 people were in view.

We grabbed the chairs from the van and sat on the beach for the afternoon. It was warm and sunny, and we slowly peeled off our layers. We sat. We talked. We dreamed.

One of the features of staying in a campground is walking the grounds and seeing all the types of vehicles. We looked at many and even were invited to see inside. Most people speak Spanish, German, and English and are usually friendly. 

What we discovered

What we discovered was the type of van that would work for us and the variety of options available.

After a few days out of the city, we were looking forward to our return.

The Spanish countryside is filled with old cities with churches, fortresses, and food markets. Taking the secondary roads allows us to travel slowly, enjoying not only the landscape but also the little interactions with the locals.

I love our road trips. We looking forward to another adventure next month in a larger van equipped with a large bed, a small kitchen area with stove and sink,  a bathroom and a separate heater as spring in Spain is still chilly!

Abrazo Yy Besos

Links:

Camppervan rental

https://roadsurfer.com/

Info about Tarragona

https://www.tarragonaturisme.cat/en

Sweet Revolution

https://dulcerevolucion.com/en/jardin-medicinal



Tango Clothing

https://travelingtango.com/?page_id=704






Waiting: A Meditation

Consequently, my time seems to be filled with waiting.


Waiting to leave the apartment.

Waiting for the bus.

Waiting for the taxi.

Later, when we start to walk towards Carrer Escorial to catch a taxi, at least 5 taxis pass by us. Their little square green unoccupied lights on, silently signaling that they are available for hire. Nevertheless, by the time we arrive at the corner, no taxis are in sight.

We will wait

Eventually, we will wait about 5 minutes. This has become a pattern for us. The school of thought is that when you don’t need a taxi, there are plenty, but when you do, you must wait.

When we shop for groceries at the market, we wait in line to pay. We do our food shopping almost every day.

We walk down the hill to have a coffee or visit a farmacia.
We wait for the bus to take us back up the hill. We wait in a line. Esperar en la fila.

After entering our building, we wait for the elevator to take us up to our third-floor apartment.

In our kitchen, we wait to unload the groceries from the shopping bags.

After doing the laundry, we wait for the washing machine to finish. Then we are waiting to hang the wet laundry on the portable dryer rack.

In our kitchen

We spend a lot of our day waiting. I can now wait patiently. Waiting, I believe, is an acquired skill.

In all probability, I have been an impatient person for most of my life. Nowadays, I am finding there is a luxury in waiting and how it makes you feel. Very quiet and confortable.

Certainly, we do’nt work anymore, as we are retired a few years ago, this absence allows of daily work allows us the time to slow down.

As time moves slowly, even the smallest details take on greater significance and depth.

Occasionally, I revert to being an impatient non-waiter.
Luckily, while living in Barcelona, I have learned to wait patiently.

I can even wait in a line!

I can even wait in a line.

It’s a very Spanish thing to do.

Argentinians practice this too.

Waiting in lines.
To wait. To wait. To wait.

The Spanish people who wait are mostly patient and gentle folks. These folks get upset when harsh or loud voices are used.

The reaction to a loud harsh voice is utter confusion. It’s this vocalization that creates utter chaos and confusion for many Spaniards.

They are not impatient people.

They are not an impatient people. They are very patient and helpful.

Absolutely unwavering in their commitment to enjoy their lives and their families.

They are courteous people except on the street, where they might walk into you and never as much as say “pardon me, desculpeme, or excuse me”.

These people are usually fast and intentful walkers and talkers. The clack-clack of leather boots on the sidewalk is very familiar. Generally, with all the rain we are experiencing, feet are divided into sneakers and boots. People wear all sorts of boots here, from cowboy boots to over-the-knee high-heeled boots. The way people walk mirrors the sound their boots make on the street. Some sounds are sharp, while others are thuds.

There is much conversation

There is much conversation on the street.  Enthusiastic voices talking about their day, the weather, and their lives.

But create a loud, undignified shout-out noise.
Boom.
You get this look of hurt, the look representing the words, Are you a crazy person doing this horrible and uncomfortable action?

Spaniards don’t like to be uncomfortable.

Spaniards don’t like to be uncomfortable.

Spaniards love their families and their food. Not sure which is a greater passion.  On a recent Sunday, we stopped by one of our favorite neighborhood cafes about four blocks away in a small square.


The were tables set. There were many butane barbecues with people cooking sausages or calcotadas [green onions]. Lots of beans in huge bowls. White tents covering the other food stations.

The white banner stretched

The white banner stretched above the barbecue station, declaring this was a fundraiser for the upcoming big festival in March.

Mothers gathered with their babies in strollers, dancing to the music blasting from the speakers. Children ran free. Men huddled in groups, talking, waiting for the food to be ready.

All the tables were packed.  Mothers with sons. Lovers out for a leisurely brunch. Families with children in strollers. Lots of co-workers are sitting at the larger tables.

As my Spanish language skills progressed, I could follow many conversations. People chat about either family members or their work schedule. Mostly chatting about the inane.  The weather, the Euro, or Trump. The local language is Catalan, which sounds very lispy, and I am starting to understand more of the words.

Listening is another acquired skill.

What surprises me about my eavesdropping is how many languages I hear and understand. This builds my confidence. As a constant learner, I always try to learn new words.

My partner, Maximo Miguel, speaks Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, and Catan and is currently learning English.

We have conversations speaking

We have conversations speaking in many different languages.

Ultimately, language is for communication. My grammar needs work.

Serendipitously, most people understand my Spanish Argentinese.

Continuing to wait and learn while living in Barcelona is very sweet experience.

Abrazo

Ruth

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Watching the Olympics from Barcelona.

Opening ceremonies, Milano

When my son was younger, we used to go up to Big White in Canada for what was known as winter break, which coincided with the Winter Olympic Games. A week in winter for a break from learning, as practiced by most school systems in the Northwest.

We would pack the car with food, gear, and an extra kid or two, as it’s always more fun with others, not just your family. My son, as an only child, enjoyed bringing a friend with him. Aa did I because they entertained each other.

In the early days, when he was 12 or 13, he was learning to snowboard on the mountain. His determination outweighed his body fat. Ultimately, we figured out how to stuff a small pillow on his ass, as he probably spent much of his time in this position on the snow.  As time wore on, his skills changed, and he became pretty adept at snowboarding, even attempting jumps and the half-pipe.

As Big White Resort is located

As Big White Resort is located a distance from any town, it’s important to be self-sufficient. There’s a small market there that sells fresh and frozen food, but even with the exchange rate, it gets pretty pricey.

Big White Resort

The food we brought with us, what we had cooked, and could eat for 3 or 4 days, and get pizza and burgers from the local takeout place. Awful diets, but lots of mandarin oranges and popcorn, too.

I would go out and possibly meet up with a friend to ski for a few hours. When tired, returning to the room, relaxing with a book for the remainder of the day on my own.

The apartments we rented were usually pretty well used, in somewhat disrepair.

In the small island town

In the small island town we lived in, approximately 100 other folks would be vacationing on the same mountain. The drive took the whole day, including catching what we called the red-eye ferry.

With stops along the way for coffee and the bathroom, we arrived around 6pm. We would see other known peeps on the road and wave, sometimes playing the driving game of leapfrog.

Switchbacks

Always with windshield wipers working overtime as the roads were slushy or snowy, depending on the moment, using tons of windshield wiper solution.

The Canadian government did a great job keeping the roads open and plowed. The areas we drove through were quite scenic, featuring snow-covered peaks and vast valleys planted with fruit trees. Was it a beautiful drive, though a bit tedious, as my son, when younger, was too young to share in the driving?

On our last trip

On our last trip, he drove the entire way. What an unnerving experience that was.

The great divide on the mountain was the accommodations. The rich folks had large 6-bedroom houses with 3 bathrooms. We habitually rented a one-bedroom apartment centrally located in the village, as it suited the two of us.

There is nothing like an active vacation with preteens. With hormones just activated, the smell from the socks and shoes was painful. The kids were always getting into snowball fights or playing video games. Everyone brought their Nintendo, too.

From an online source:



The average age of athletes at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics varies by sport and national delegation, generally falling between 25 and 28 years old.

Historically, the mean age for Winter Olympic participants has stabilized around 26.1 years, with medalists often being slightly older, averaging roughly 26.3 years.

France: The delegation maintains an average age of 26 years.

USA: The entire roster has an average age of 28.30 years, its largest and one of its most veteran teams to date.

China: The team average is approximately 25 years.

The 2026 Games feature a vast age span, from 15-year-old Australian freestyle skier Indra Brown to 54-year-old veteran competitors.

The thing I remember vividly is watching the Olympic Games every night. The small studio apartment I rented was usually filled with hungry, smelly teenage boys. Our place was known as a hangout. I encouraged this as I preferred knowing where my son was.

Nightly gatherings to watch

Nightly gatherings to watch the Winter Olympics from afar sparked many conversations about sports and national pride. We were in Canada and not the USA. The ethos of sportsmanship is ingrained in all nationalities.

I have a deep love for ice skating, as when I was a teenager, I would skate for hours at a local rink. Not having much talent or ankles capable of supporting me, this was a short-lived predicament. But the beauty of the sport continued to follow me. Ice dancing, pairs, short programs, and more such labels do define the sport.

Now, twenty years later, living in Barcelona, I realized this year the Winter Olympics are in Milano, Italy, and we are in the same time zone.

In the past, I don’t think I ever watched the opening ceremony or the lighting of the Olympic Torch, but I did on Friday night at the beginning.

Outstanding performances

Wow. Outstanding performances by many famous singers, including Andrea Bocelli and Mariah Carey, pianist Lang, Italian rapper Ghali, plus a few Italians singers I didn’t know. With a cast of thousands of dancers and volunteers, the spectacle was truly a spectacle. The ginormous stage was lit in the shape of an elongated Fibonacci spiral, with gyrating lights and 4 entrances.  The dances performed ranged from truly modern to ballet to just having a good old time. The Italians are experts in these events.

Oversized paint tubes descended from the roof, almost touching the floor, followed by 5 symbolic Olympic rings that once light remained aloft for the entire event.

It was a night of discovery, a celebration of the world’s athletes.  It was a night with lots of talk about peace and harmony.

The current president


The current president of the Olympic Committee is Kris Coventry, from South Africa, who was the first female president of the Olympics and was a competitive swimmer. Her opening address touched on the whole olympic experience as a way of breaking down barriers.

Tonight I am watching the women’s freestyle skiing event. It’s genuinely astounding watching these young women twirl and spin in the air. So much hope amid the culmination of many years of work. The joy of competition with nerves tingling creates much magic. Win, lose, or fall out of the standings, what a celebración of harmony.

These athletes are the elites of the world. Tonight an old Italian woman set a world speed record on her 35th birthday and also as the oldest woman speed skater.


While athletes often peak between 20 and 30, “skill and endurance” sports (like curling or luge) often favor older, more experienced athletes, whereas “judged” sports (like figure skating) trend younger.

The oldest Winter Olympian in history is Sweden’s Carl August Kronlund, who won a silver in curling at age 58 in 1924.

As the different categories continue with these games, I hope you are able to catch a few different sports programs.

This spectacular will go on for a total of 2 weeks.  I hope to catch a few more events.



Traveling Tango

Creator of Tango Experiences

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