There’s something just really different about taking a run in Barcelona.  Awaking at 12:30am, I don my shoes and head out.  I hit the streets hard, the perfectly laid tile of the sidewalks thudding with each stride I take.  A warm Spanish sun radiating down on the beautiful tree lined streets, each block promising new and interesting facets of this amazing city.

The sounds of scooters fill the air, where everyone from old ladies to men in business suits can be seen on them, a pleasant departure from the grosse use of SUV’s in our North American culture.

I run without direction, taking random turns down side streets and letting the street lights dictate the direction I travel.  Gaudi´s influence becomes apparent in so many of the buildings here, even subtle touches on some of the lamp posts.  Small parks surround the main architectural attractions, I often run through them and admire the interesting statues and buildings which they hold.

By chance I happen upon La Sagrada Familia, one of Gaudi´s most famous works that is continuing to be built to this day.  I stop and admire it for nearly 5 minutes, truly appreciating the masterpiece in progress.

It then comes time to start making my way through the streets back to my hostel.  Not wanting the run to end, I slow down my pace and let my mind wander. I think of all the interesting sites I´ve seen, the facinating people I´ve met, and all the things I´ve already done.  Then the realization hits me, I´ve only been in Europe for 7 days, I smile to myself…two months left.