For work I gotta go

[offroadrolls]

to Spain for a week. Barcelona to be exact. I leave the 13th and I'm starting to freak a little. I've never been anywhere farther than Mexico and Canada.
Just curious if there's any world travelers here that can offer up any advise. I can't imagine 8 hours on a plane!

 

[I-R-POPS]

Don't do it!
Both times I went overseas , people were shorting at me.

POPS

 

[bob w]

Well, I've never been to Spain
But I kinda like the music
Say the ladies are insane there
And they sure know how to use it.
Three Dog Night

Sorry 'bout that. I'm a Three Dog Night fan.

I've been to northern Europe and the Far East on business back in the mid-70's.

The travel never bothered me. Eat, sleep, watch a movie. It'll go fast enough.

Mainly, I always remembered the company spent a lot of money to send me so I really stuck to business. Worked lots of hours. Didn't party. I learned more from the people on the factory floor than from management. Treat everyone with respect.

 

[sgtpontiac]

Been to Spain twice....very nice...

spent time in Malaga southern tip of Spain....what are your concerns?? Honestly other than the language barrier, which by the way, a great number of locals speak pretty good english....if you are comparing it to Mexico, forget it...not even close to the same.....it's really a beautiful country and most of the people are very eager to help you...even with the language....I really enjoyed both trips there.....

 

[offroadrolls]

spent time in Malaga southern tip of Spain....what are your concerns?? Honestly other than the language barrier, which by the way, a great number of locals speak pretty good english....if you are comparing it to Mexico, forget it...not even close to the same.....it's really a beautiful country and most of the people are very eager to help you...even with the language....I really enjoyed both trips there.....

Thanks Sarge, that's good to hear. I'm a bit of a control freak so I guess my concerns are simply a fear of the unknown. But now I feel better, especially after Bob W sang one of my favorite songs.

 

[sgtpontiac]

You make me so......very happy....lol

Thanks Sarge, that's good to hear. I'm a bit of a control freak so I guess my concerns are simply a fear of the unknown. But now I feel better, especially after Bob W sang one of my favorite songs.

Most of the major cities in Spain will most likely cater to American and English speaking people / tourists / job related visitors.....Should have heard me go into McDonalds and order the Grilled Chicken Salad.....even the girl at the counter got a kick out of my less than perfect Spanish....then she spoke to me in perfect english and helped me with my pronounciation of the spanish words....I never met anyone that wasn't more than helpful in Spain....

 

[offroadrolls]

Cool

 

[maverickmk]

I've traveled extensively for the last 7+ years. Been to some really remote places and the best advice I can give is enjoy it. My favorite places to go are where no one speaks English. As far as the flight, make sure you carry on some stuff to do. Books, magazines, MP3 player etc. Most flights will have TV's in the headrest in front of you so that always help to make the time pass. Many flights that are overnight will have those eye covers. They work awesome, use them if you want some sleep. Also, if you can, take either some noise cancelling head phones (kind of expensive if you're only planning on taking one trip a year) or at least some ear plugs. That will help a lot as well if you want to sleep. Another thing, be sure to drink water every time they offer it. It gets really dry when you're in the air. You can get dehydrated quickly and feel like crap when you land. Log onto the airlines web site as soon as your flight is booked and choose an aisle seat. Trust me, this is the best. You may have people crawling over you, but anytime you just feel like stretching or taking a leak, you won't think twice about bothering the guy next to you. Make sure you have your passport on you at all times. Do not leave it at the hotel, etc. If you lose it you will be screwed trying to leave and especially getting back into the USA.
Good luck and take lots of pictures and post some up when you get back

 

[Willowbilly3]

Hey, while you're in Barcelona, do want to track down the scumbag that hijacked my ebay account in 2006?

 

[offroadrolls]

So the trip went well.

And after working for 4 days, my wife and I did the tourist thing for 3 days. Here's some pics from the trip.

This place was a trip. It's the Roman Catholic Sagrada Família church by a famous architect named Antoni Gaudi. It's been under construction for 126 years and he's been dead since 1924

 

[offroadrolls]

and a few more

This is the remaining wall of a castle built by the Romans in 300 AC. It's in down town Barcelona and you can tell it's as old as dirt.

 

[maverickmk]

Wow, pretty cool place. Thanks for posting up some pictures. Sounds like you had a good time.

 

[Sunnybeach]

I love Bareclona. I have been there twice.

I did not see your thread before the trip but my best advice is:

- buy a map(s) and tourist book(s) in English before you go -- a map in a foreign language is a pain.
- have some of their money in your pocket before the plane lands or immediately after.
- plan for rain and pack a lightweight poncho along with a few trash bags -- ideally bags that are big enough to keep luggage or at least a backpack dry.
- when in barcelona, be brave and use the bus instead of the Metro. While the metro is fast and direct, you miss everything along the way.

 

[gold03]

I think you might have travel bug... Yeah, I'm pretty sure.[P

Now you need to go back and get photos of Rat Rods in front of all those great historical sites.

Darn... I think this might be contagious!

Gold03