Barcelona We Are Here!

March 7 – My first travel day started by me heading to Los Angeles for work. Which ended up being comical because of all the bags I had with me (backpack, bum bag, travel duffel, duffel with all my work stuff in it). I got to LA earlier than I needed to, but I figured I would go to a Starbucks near the worksite. Turns out, not all Starbucks are welcoming and this Starbucks had EVERY SINGLE outlet blocked off – they literally had blank faceplates on each one. This is big city living in America apparently.

When it was time to meet my escort, I told him not to make fun of me for my bags because I was going to Barcelona tonight and had to bring all my things with me to work. After I finished my time on site, I found a luggage drop at a sound spa (yes, apparently that is a thing) so I could go eat lunch and walk around for a while without having to lug my bags everywhere.

It’s finally time to head to the airport – HOURS early. I got to LAX international terminal about six hours before my flight. While it said bag drop was already open for my flight, I wanted to make sure I didnt need/want anything in my bag to check until closer to the flight, so I searched for a seat pre-security. I finished up paperwork for work and was finally ready to hand off my bag and go through security.

There was no one in line really (except this lady who may have been a celebrity, but I cannot confirm other than all the looks from others). After passing through security all I really wanted was french fries. I had to do some searching but found some. I had my fries and then settled in at my gate for a three hour wait before the flight took off.

I settled into my book and about an hour later saw some movement, the plane was coming to the gate, it is an Airbus A380 – the double decker plane! In all my (over 100) international flights, Ive never been on an A380. I had paid an extra $50 to site on top, because YOU MUST, when given the option.

When it was finally time to board, you didnt need your passport or ticket, it was all done with facial recognition (which, let’s be honest, is a bit nuts). I got on the escalator to take me to the top jet bridge for the plane. I was very excitedly surprised when I got to my seat and noticed that there is a window cubby for all my things!! It was very exciting because it opened up most of my leg room under the seat (which also was smaller do to in seat power – they really need to do better).

March 8 – The flight was uneventful (in today’s world that is a big deal) and I was able to sleep for about seven hours of the ten hour flight. I missed dinner, but was given breakfast about an hour out from London. I had a super quick layover in London, where I was super excited to find an egg salad sandwich combo – but sadly never was able to find one, so I had to settle for a cheese sandwich combo instead (Combo – sandwich, candy bar and drink for like £5.50).

My flight to Barcelona was a quick two hours, which I read and also took a cat nap on. Passport control and customs may have been the fastest I have ever experienced and was off the plane and through it all in about 45 minutes (that has to be a record). I grabbed an Uber and got to my hotel. Lauren doesnt get to Barcelona until tomorrow around lunch, so Ill just reset my body clock to Barcelona time tonight and then head back to the airport to pick her up tomorrow!

March 9 – I slept SOOOOO well last night and decided to get up and go for a run. Across the street is the Barcelona convention center – which had just finished hosting Mobile World Congress (which is something related to my job back in the states). I got my run in and it was nice to be in fresh air.

I took my time getting ready and packing my bags back up. I had breakfast at the hotel and then headed to the Metro to go back to the airport to pick up Lauren.

She also had a crazy fast time through passport control and customs as well! It was very fun to meet back up in person after two years! I had ordered us a car to transport us to the hotel we will be staying at for our time together. He was scheduled for 30 minutes after Lauren came through security, so she was able to get a coffee and we could catch up a bit!

Our hotel is SUPER cute. We got to the hotel before our room was ready, so we put our bags in the luggage lockers and then headed out to meander the la Rambla area near our hotel. After having a meal, we headed back to the hotel to check in and get ready for dinner.