Back in Barca

Just returned from a beach-filled weekend in the gorgeous town of Tossa del Mar. I had a fantastic time, but it was great to pull into the bus station in Barcelona and feel like we were home.

We left early Friday morning and arrived on the Costa Brava just as the beach was filling up. The town is pretty touristy, but authentically Spanish. The 17 of us immediately trekked down to the water and formed a giant circle, more or less, around our backpacks and other assorted belongings. The town is built into the cliffs, so the beach is pebbly, not sandy, but the Mediterranean is beautiful and clear. An old Catalonian stronghold, Tossa has a medieval fortress poised between the beaches atop a hill and surrounded by an ancient city — Vila Vella.

Here's the view from the top:

The hotel we stayed in — Med Playa San Eloy — was not quite

in the center of town (which is why we were able to get fantastic rates). Positioned alongside the highway, the hotel looks like an enormous medieval fortress. It was a little village unto itself, providing us with a lot of entertainment. There were multiple pools, a mini gold course, an outdoor stage with Spanish renditions of "Grease" and hoards of unattended children. We split into rooms of six in what were almost like condos, complete with little outdoor seating areas, providing for excellent people-watching opportunities. (Plus, in Spain, staring is 100% socially acceptable.)

The weekend was filled with hours of sunny beach time, authentic paella and sangria, late-night skinny dipping in the Mediterranean and lots of CASB bonding. We spent the weekend joking about how we were on vacation from our vacation — which is partially true — though things are starting to become more and more familiar here in Barca. (Plus we have some serious homework this week. Yuck.) But for now — some well-needed sleep. More adventures and pictures from the weekend to come.