Bottom line is we got here. No problems with connections, getting on planes. However…it’s about control. You can think you have it, but you don’t. The stewardess greets us with, “You go down this aisle and you go down the other.” “But aren’t we together???” says Kitty, and the flight attendant answers “Yes.” That can only mean one thing: we are in the middle. Nothing to do.
Lorena takes a pill, puts on her black headband (earphones) and black mask (Ninja Look), throughs her head back and is gone for seven hours. She wakes up and says “Thank you, Gigi!” (who subscribed the pills). Kitty, however, is determined to stay through dinner (“I paid for this, damnit!”) but to her credit, only drinks one glass of wine. Misery of the middle. Kitty is so paranoid about having to ask the hostile person on the aisle to pee she struggles.
Now lest you think we were negligent in understanding our seat assignments, we were diligent. Every time Delta changed our flight over the past six months, we checked and rechecked our seat assignments. Maybe it was Putin, but somehow all the seat assignment on our flight from ATL to AMS were erased, and our cherished two seats on the aisle were changed to the two in the middle. Economy.
But hey, look where we are!!! We landed on time in Barcelona without any real hitches. And once we’re there it’s an easy taxi ride to our apartment (which is lovely).
One the way, we pass “Abundant.” We were great fans of “Abundant 2,” the cheap variety (and I mean variety) store next to an old apartment. And here’s where the thrill of the familiar can kick in and provide comfort. We stopped and bought Kitty her 2023 version of the grocery cart that is a must in this urban environment. How else does one schlep home groceries with bottle of wine? It totally turned us around.
We hit the local grocery store and neighborhood wine store (“Now Priorat wine is expensive…this bottle will cost you 12 EUR…”). That is all we needed to restore our faith in travel! Good night. Buenas noches. Bona nit.
K & L's Travel Blog 
Yes, those “mug shots” tell the whole story. Sorry, Kitty. I’m so happy you found Abundant to compensate for the miserable flight. Surely you’ll have those aisle seats for the trip home. Great storytelling!
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Good point. It’s the unexpected that is part of the thrill. Or not!
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I love the contrast in how each of you chose to spend the flight time. Yes, control is an illusion, for bitter or sweet. Jane
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p.s. Don’t know why both D and I are anonymous
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We have quite a few anonymous followers. Not sure why, though I suspect those who log into WordPress are the ones whose names are visible. It helps when you ID yourself as we more likely to respond! Glad you’re enjoying. We are having a great time. A month is SUCH a luxury!
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glad you’re safe and cheered up. I dont get the randomness of seat changes. KT and Will recently paid extra for bulkhead seats while traveling with a toddler and got moved so two other people who wanted the seats could have them. go figure. the apartment looks wonderful
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The seat thing is annoying. The woman next to us had also been moved. I suppose there may be some who have special needs, though I suspect airlines privilege customers with higher point status. Hard to complain about anything as we are having the best time! Our apartment is nice with good kitchen and very clean, though K misses the views and light we’ve enjoyed with past stays.
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You luckily escaped the FDA shutting down flights right after you left and frigid temperatures with @ 1” of snow. And yes, Lorena definitely looks more rested….but, wow! K&L in Barcelona
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Yes, we were actually very lucky to get airborne when we did.
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Love the apres flight shots. I want some of Gigi’s pills!
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Glad you made it safely and with a minimum of discomfort. I am so looking forward to continuing to adventure with you both. Disfrutar!
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The apt looks super. Glad you made it! May it be the best month of your lives. Hugs, K
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Thus far it’s been great. Thanks Karen.
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Your mug shots from the plane says it all: Lorena is nap-refreshed and ready … Kitty not so much!
‘Welcome back’, says Barcelona!!
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Yes, bit of a contrast there. We used Timeshifter and I do think it helped.
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Traveling is always an adventure! 😁😁😁. Glad you arrived. Have fun!
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