Tapas + Tears

Sitting here in Barcelona on yet another rainy afternoon, I stumbled across an article titled “The 25 Most Beautiful Cities in the World” (link here). A single tear rolls down my cheek—not from the sudden downpour (my trusty €6 umbrella is holding up just fine)—but from the realization that I’ve been to most of the cities on the list, with a few more already planned for this year. And just like that, it hits me again: I am truly, incredibly fortunate.

A few short years ago, this kind of travel—what I like to call spinning around the world—was nothing more than a dream. It’s beyond anything I ever imagined.

The tapas have been nothing short of excellent, and today’s selection at Casa Jaime is no exception. I’ve also visited La Flauta and a few other spots, and each has been fantastic. Sampling sangria has been a fun side quest, and so far, the best by a long shot is from Casa Jaime—refreshing, cold, smooth, sweet but not cloying, and surprisingly light despite the red wine. Deliciousness in a glass.

I’ve walked and wandered a lot and am finally getting a better sense of the city. Each neighborhood is distinct, primarily in its architecture, and I love the way the character of Barcelona shifts as you move through it.

Ukrainian flags are everywhere—a stark reminder of the ongoing war and what Europe continues to fight for on its doorstep.

I’ve also gained some insight into how Barcelona (and the Catalans) truly feel about tourism. There’s been a lot of press lately about efforts to curb the number of visitors, and most locals I’ve spoken to don’t hate tourists outright—after all, much of the economy depends on them—but they do resent the bone-crushing summer crowds and the “rude and disrespectful” few who leave a bad taste. Tourism employs over 130,000 people in a city of 1.6 million, contributes more than €100 million per year in tourist taxes, and accounts for 12.6% of Barcelona’s GDP. It’s a big deal—but, as with most things, it’s the inconsiderate few who ruin it for everyone else.

Today, I explored the 1992 Olympic sites, saw the cauldron, and visited the Olympic and Sports Museum. I’ve always loved the Olympics, and since Barcelona hosted the Games in ’92, this city has been high on my travel list.

On Monday, I have a morning reservation for La Sagrada Familia, and I can’t wait. After visiting La Pedrera, just a few blocks from my hotel, I’m even more fascinated by Gaudí’s work. His imprint on this city is like a fingerprint—woven into its very identity.

Taking 25,000 steps back to Saturday, I caught up with my friend Agus, whom I first met in March 2023 in Australia during my first-ever international trip. She now lives in Barcelona, and we met up at the beach, where she surfed while I took photos. Later, we wandered the city and grabbed lunch. We’re meeting up again on Tuesday between her work shifts, and she’s going to show me around the Gothic Quarter. It was amazing to reconnect in person. We occasionally chat on Instagram, but we both knew we’d see each other again. Our love of travel and similar outlooks on life make our friendship effortless.

I’ve also reconnected with a friend I met at Pride in Puerto Vallarta in May of 2023, who now lives here. Talking to my parents about it, I’m struck by how incredible it is—the friendships and connections I’ve made around the world. Technology allows us to stay in touch in ways that simply weren’t possible even twenty years ago.

As I mentioned in a previous post, Barcelona is winning me over. I arrived with a bit of trepidation. I was worried I had built the city up too much in my head—like I once did with San Francisco. I was also anxious about pickpockets, as those stories dominate the city’s narrative. I even had a contingency plan to leave early for Athens if I wasn’t enjoying myself. But thankfully, none of my fears have come true. In fact, Barcelona has exceeded my expectations.

Halfway through my stay, I’m eager to see what the next three days bring.

Meanwhile, back home, the Main Street Charmer is set to close soon, and the weight of it is heavy. Soon, I’ll be literally homeless. Everything I own will be locked away in a storage unit, and I’ll have nowhere to call home. This is what I wanted—but now that it’s finally here, the reality is unsettling.

At the same time, freedom feels precarious. So many of our rights are under attack back in the U.S. The ongoing erasure of LGBTQ+ freedoms and history by the federal government is astonishing—though, for those of us paying attention, none of it is surprising.

Time will tell how it all plays out. Time will tell how my life plays out.

And on that note—

Over and out,

Cole … from somewhere.

Photos from the Celebrity Apex Transatlantic Voyage

March 8-21st, 2025

(Bermuda, Gibraltar, Palma de Mallorca)

A huge shout out to Joe and Buddy for making the Transatlantic voyage so special. Dinner together every night for 13 days makes for a pretty special friendship. Can’t wait to sail the high seas with y’all again!