natjtan I hope you’re having a great week so far! I’m feeling a little bitter sweet at the moment.
August is unofficial holiday month here. Most Spanish take August off and the city empties out. I was beginning to think people were on staycations or here was the hottest travel destination in Europe. The place wasn’t emptying and cycling was a game of double guess what pedestrians do next. The main Metro line and bus lines from the beaches last Thursday couldn’t cope with the number of visitors. I’ve hardly heard Spanish or Catalan on the beaches. Mostly French, Italian and English. I know people have every right to holiday, but there were so many! Anyways, from Monday the city’s felt emptier. The main road near where I live has public holiday amount traffic on weekdays and the beaches are easier to cycle along. The bitter sweetness is Summer’s 7 weeks before it gives way to Autumn. But that’s 7 weeks away! There’s still plenty of summer left, late summer, one of my favourite times of the year. The heat’s set in and there’s an lazy haziness in the air.
I hope you had a great weekend! Friday after a morning run. Whom I’m kidding it was a midday run before running around like crazy to meet a friend for coffee. Coffee for her and peppermint tea for me. Take out coffee and browse around Sephora as we both share a love of skincare. I had hoped to make the beach and zoo afterwards but I kinda over estimated time and would have only been able to fit one in afterwards. Black out clouds came cycling on the way to the beaches and I knew I’d have got numb fingers if I swam thanks to the wind. I decided to spend longer at the zoo and take a dip to cool off in the apartment building pool. The pool was busy, so no beach, no dip. Sob. But I did spend longer at the zoo. Photos here!
Saturday, I was up bight and early and managed to pack a lot in the morning, chores, Tone It Up Beach Babe 4 workouts (Saturdays I take a break from my own workouts) and resorted out my wardrobe and shoes via the KonMari Method. I’ve nearly finished sorting everything out. Left are photos, emails and box filled with odd things I can’t decide if they give me joy or are a obligation to keep. I’m more or less keeping everything in it’s place and having everything organised her way is much easier to keep. Plus the does it give you joy helps out shopping.
The water Saturday afternoon and over the weekend was heaven. Warm with that smooth frothy water (kinda hard to explain) thanks to the waves that gives you perfect beach hair later. Unlike the normal cold hard water that doesn’t leave you with those beach waves.
I didn’t want to leave, but I had errands to run in the centre. I think there was a v v vip visiting as parts of Via Laietana was blocked off and streets near the Cathedral de Basilica were cordoned off. Cycling back was easy thanks to not filtering traffic.
1992 Olympic poles near the 1992 Olympic Village
My mission to be up early Sunday didn’t work and I ended up running late. The breeze helped with the heat as I don’t think even having the energy I did, I would have managed it without it. Then of course when in Rome, the beach and then the zoo. Yes, twice in 3 days. It helps keep me sane.
Where’s your secret hideaway sanctuary when things get crazy?
In China we are officially in autumn already! According to the lunar calendar, autumn started this week. I call BS, as it is still super hot 😛
That makes no sense, that August is Autumn. Are their seasons all the same length or summer 2 months, winter 5? But then I don’t get why Midsummer is on the 1st day of summer in June and it’s still not hot hot. Even in the UK I never go that! Have a great weekend 🙂
There are similarities between Spain and Canada in that a lot of Canadians take their holidays in August. Kids are off school, and if there is camping involved there are fewer bugs.
I am glad you are able to still take your trips to the zoo Natalie. The lion kittens are absolutely adorable. They look about the size and age which they would be very playful. It would be relaxing watching them.
The hardwood forest trails just outside of my village are my sanctuary. Fortunately they are just a 15 minute walk (quicker if I run or bike) from home! 🙂
~Carl~
The cub’s getting more independent and playing but if his Mama moves to a new spot, so does he. He’s growing into his face too which is cute to see. He’s going to be a handsome lion!
Lucky you living 15 mins walk from forest trails. I miss the park in France. Forest 100m from the beach and it was like in a different world all together. Cooler too in the hot months! I think most countries in the northern hemisphere take August off as it’s the school summer holidays, but I’ve never known country do it like Spain. Some businesses actually close or operate on reduced hours for the whole month! Including a few local government offices!