Sitges. Iridescent blue waters, piping hot white sand and the twisting, ever-climbing passageways between whitewashed houses with blue shutters and balconies. Across the old town, the tourist area is filled with humid nights of teeming crowds strolling along the palm-lined promenade, nightclub queues and fresh tapas served with sangria at every turn. And finally our balcony, a respite from the heat sitting above local gardens and terraces and a window into daily life in this sea-side town.
On Saturday night, a stroke of luck allows us to be a part of the town for a few hours. We sneak into the local festival, the night of San Pedro, and walk amongst the residents, watching the children compete in toy fishing competitions and win their first goldfish, old men sitting at the street bar with cold beers in hand, couples swaying together on the makeshift dance floor to the sounds of local bands playing traditional hits.
Sitges - a constant buzz of the trains going to and from Barcelona and fireworks at all hours of the day and night. Church processions practicing their street parade and drum routines along the boulevard.
And then the main attraction, Barcelona. Filled with Gaudi’s primary colours, crazed shapes and challenging structures. Snaking around the La Sagrada Familia and seeing something new, something disturbing, something enlightening with every new rotation. Dali, Goya, Picasso. The Spanish Civil War and ETA. Markets and lingering drinks at local bars. Catalonia Art Nouveau.
La buena vida.
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