No Spain, no Gain

Yes, it really does look like this. 

This title seems more appropriate now than ever before. Let's be honest, Italy spoiled me. The language, the food, the people, and the scenery. Oh, the scenery! Citrus-colored houses amidst a backdrop of lush, dark cypress trees, craggy mountains, and a brilliantly blue sky. Apparently paradise does exist on earth. To go even further, there were several points during the summer where I genuinely thought that if I were to die right now, I would be deliciously fulfilled and content. 

One of the consequences of my new found love is that of course, I am not as happy with Spain as I could be. And if I do compare every other place to Italia, maybe that just simply says that I should be there, not wherever I am. 

There was only one time (that I can remember; still, a maximum of two times) that we said, "Wow, this could be anywhere in the world right now." The spirit of Italia is inescapable. It is everywhere...train stations, roadside cafes, and street art. It's probably the water, because I swear it will infect you too. 

In Spain, on the other hand, I have that feeling regularly. It is easy to blame that on the cosmopolitan, truly diverse and multicultural city that Barcelona is. You could be anywhere in the world, because all of the forces in the world have acted upon this place. 

I have, however, already been lucky enough to see other parts of Spain. (Tarragona, Valencia, Costa Brava, Madrid, Toledo, Cuenca, Zaragoza). I haven't found the contagious spirit yet, or the passion that seeps through your pores and saturates the ground. I guess there's just too much concrete. 

For now, mia cara Italia, I leave you. But I will be back soon. And in the meantime, I will write blog posts about my summer! (I know you've been waiting. But it will be worth it.)

(Yes, that's right, it is a train station!)