My travel buddy extraordinaire

They say a picture says a thousand words...a thousand words is nearly not enough words to share my thanks, gratitude, appreciation, joyfulness and love for The MockingJ. 

My hand is already up when you're looking and selecting travel buddies for your next adventure my dear and gorgeous friend.  Thank you for such a wonderful, inspiring, relaxing, memorable, humorous and completely fabulous adventure in Barcelona. From start to finish, it was smooth sailing, not a ripple in sight, a dream come true. You are a beautiful, bright shining star.  Love you. 

Ps...no staying at home next time The Chosen One...

The Svelte Brown Fox

...celebrating the little and simple things which make you smile and remember life is good

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Gracias iconica Barcelona

You read the books, see the pictures, hear the stories. And then you're there experiencing first hand the amazing, the wonderment, the breathtaking, the iconic sounds, sights and modernist art in this fabulous town. 

Barcelona's individuality, unique art, stunning world famous architecture, mouth-watering food, superb sangria and warm hospitality makes it well worth a visit. Save the pennies, book the flight and go see it for yourself; your adventure awaits.

 

The Svelte Brown Fox

...celebrating the little and simple things which make you smile and remember life is good

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A sangria a day..

Yes truth be told it did feel like the Sangria tour of Barcelona after about day three...and why not?! What's not to love about copious jugs of this delicious, refreshing drink, combined with bella vistas, amazing tapas including my all time favourite patatas bravas and the company of The MockingJ. 

The Svelte Brown Fox

...celebrating the little and simple things which make you smile and remember life is good

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Hola!

A long and lazy sangria and paella fuelled lunch...$$$ euros

A kick on into happy hour complete with tapas...$$ euros

Bike hire times two for the next 24 hours...$ euros

Riding the streets of Barcelona into the wee hours of the morning...PRICELESS!

The Svelte Brown Fox

...celebrating the little and simple things which make you smile and remember life is good

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Moments with Modernism

From Miro, to Picasso, to the man on the tip of everyone's tongue, Gaudi; Barcelona is bursting with modernist artwork by these exceptionally talented artists and you don't even need to visit a museum or gallery to witness it first hand.  It's presence is felt and experienced throughout Barcelona thanks to the numerous public "exhibitions". 

Such gratitude to sit and be amidst the history, the talent, the expressions, the individuality, the creativity, the visions, the ideas; the sheer fabulousness of a lasting legacy.  

The Svelte Brown Fox

...celebrating the little and simple things which make you smile and remember life is good

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Give us our daily bravas

Potatoes - what's not to love - fried, boiled, baked, roasted...hola patatas bravas! 

And so began my conversion to the faith of the Bravas, an overnight dedicated, worshipper. My quest while in Barcelona - to find the best bravas.

A quest seemingly easy upon undertaking however not so in achieving because there is no such thing as a bad bravas.  Some are just better than others. 

The bravas which are better than others and will not disappoint can be found at the gorgeous and very quaint Casa Lolea and the fabulous and rather bold Martinez.  You too will be converted and want your daily serve of bravas - Amen xx

The Svelte Brown Fox

...celebrating the little and simple things which make you smile and remember life is good

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The gift of children no matter where in the world

Their free spirit, their uncensored living, their authentic presence...a beautiful and true gift no matter where you are in our unique world. 

The Svelte Brown Fox

...celebrating the little and simple things which make you smile and remember life is good

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The art of graffiti

It's everywhere. So noticeable and prominent in places you'd never expect or understand why.  Then like anything you see over and over again, it slowly melts into the subconscious, one's awareness increasingly softening to it's presence. 

The art of graffiti in Barcelona is quite something.  From the murals on the roller doors of the various shop fronts to the random scrawls on apartment front doors, it's very much an accepted, unique part of Barcelona's visual, free expression. A true gift to be able to express oneself freely and without repercussions.  

The Svelte Brown Fox

...celebrating the little and simple things which make you smile and remember life is good

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Bienvenida to Barcelona

With arms wide open and a smile a mile long, Barcelona welcomed The MockingJ and me to its glistening shores. Brimming with a relaxed yet confident attitude, Barcelona is one very cool town to say the least. It's beautiful summer weather, it's distinct European architecture, it's grungy yet sparkling presence stamped firmly in  the world famous mediterranean.  With minimal expectations of the days ahead, except for those relating to my Spanish language skills, it is a case of let the days unfold as they are meant to be.   

 

The Svelte Brown Fox

...celebrating the little and simple things which make you smile and remember life is good

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You had me Hakka

It had been a while between drinks but it was definitely worth the wait. Such a smooth and delicious beverate, a super way to unwind after a hard and long couple of hours in the office aka Dubai Mall, with the outside temperature reaching a cool 42 degrees.  Thank you to the staff at Hakkasan for yet again making this one of the best dining experiences.  See you soon. 

The Svelte Brown Fox

...celebrating the little and simple things which make you smile and remember life is good

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The yearly defrag

It only seems like yesterday I was writing my post "CTRL, ALT, DELETE...let the defrag begin".  And that's just it, irrespective of living in the moment, those moments seem to speed past at a rate of knots, I'm wondering if a yearly defrag is necessary...so i'm putting my theory to test - hola Barcelona, hello NYC and hello/goodbye to the ever intriguing Dubai.  

I'm mixing it up this year. The world's best mumma bear elected to sit this "defrag" out.  Instead our dear The MockingJ is on board, meeting me in Dubai for our flight to Barcelona.  Overseas travel...yes it's expensive, yes it's time consuming, yes it's perceived as extravagant by some, yes it's exhausting at times and yes it fills my cup...a two week adventure to experience, see, grow, learn, appreciate and just be.  

Adios for now xx

The Svelte Brown Fox
...celebrating the little and simple things which make you smile and remember life is good

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