TBEX Europe is coming up (that’s a travel blogger conference, for non-blogging readers). This year, it’s organised in Girona, so I’ve looked through some photos from last time I was in town.
Six years ago, I had never heard of Girona. Even though it’s the capital of the Costa Brava, Europe’s oldest beach resort, I knew nothing of its existence.
I had been in Carcassonne on a writing assignment, was on a Barcelona-bound train for a flight the next day and wasn’t looking forward to it. Nothing against Barcelona, you understand – I just wasn’t in the mood to wander about a very big city trying to find a hotel right then.
When the train stopped briefly in a place called Girona, I looked out – and hopped off on an impulse. Not all my impulsive decisions are great. Far from it.
But this one was.
I ambled about for most of the night, along the lively La Rambla and in Barri Vell, the old town. Early the next morning, I slipped in a side door of the Cathedral to have a look, then had breakfast at Xocolateria Antiga, mostly because of the name. Chocolate spelled with x!
It was a sweet little café. My croissant was sugar-glazed, my orange juice sweetened and the house special – hot chocolate Catalan-style – was strong, thick and sweet. And just to be on the safe side, I was provided with extra sachets of sugar.
I adore watching cities wake up!
Soon, the tables were filling up with people having their morning xocolatas. Next to me, three generations of local women elegantly dressed in bright colours chatted in animated Catalan. Mum and grand-mum puffed energetically on long, slim cigarettes, hands all over the place. It might have been the set of a Pedro Almodovar drama – Women on the verge of a nervous breakdown. I stared shamelessly, enjoying every moment.
Two other memories of Barri Vell stand out: a wonderful dusty old book shop (hope it’s still there) – and the narrow alleys and stairs appearing around every corner.
I spent twelve hours in Girona, most of it awake. It was so interesting, I almost forgot I had to be in Barcelona airport that afternoon. The town – and especially Barri Vell, deserve more time for exploration than a late night and a few early morning hours, so I’m looking forward to visiting next month.
Will I see you in Girona?
More Girona ramblings at Boots’n'All. And more fun travel photos at Budget Travelers Sandbox.
What a wonderful idea it was to hop off the train. Catalan-style chocolate is delicious! My granny added cornstarch to thicken it (our family heritage is Catalan, by the way).
As far as I know, the x in the Catalan language sounds like ch, and the Aztecs referred to chocolate as xocolaltl, so it makes sense to call the place a Xocolateria
Ana O recently posted..Travel Memory Mondays: drive from London to Southwestern France
How interesting! Any connection between Catalunya and the Aztecs, maybe…?
What a lovely experience. I’d like to watch cities wake up too, but unfortunately it is an struggle against (my) nature.
ItalianNotes recently posted..The musical attractions of Pesaro
There is that! Travelling westwards, when jetlag works the right way, is the solution
Lovely lovely photos, Sophie! Great capture of different stairs!
Angela recently posted..A trip, a photo – The simple beauty of Nossa Senhora de Prainha church, Fortaleza
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Girona is beautiful. Can’t wait to back in September. See you then!
Andrea recently posted..The Cinquecento in Zagreb
Yay! Look forward to seeing you again, Andrea.
Girona looks like a fin place to visit but sadly I won’t be at TBEX. Are you going to Toronto next year?
I too love watching cities come alive!
Leigh recently posted..A World-class Hike:The Rainbow Range in Tweedsmuir Provincial Park
Don’t know yet. I have a ticket – and I want to go – and would like to meet you. But it’s nearly a year away. Who knows what happens
I also love watching a city awakening too. When I traveled to Japan, the first few nights I be wide awake, wondering from convenient stores to the next, then sat by the hotel window over looking the train station, eating my rice balls, and seeing people flocking into the station. =)
Annie – FootTracker recently posted..FootTracker Fall Travel Plans
Such fun, isn’t it…
Great photos
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Xocolateria definitely would have caught my eye, too. It sounds heavenly. Love the stairs.
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There’s something quite exciting about jumping off a train on impulse. I did the same thing in Piemonte and it is now one of my favourite places to return to. I’d love to be going to Girona in September.The city looks fabulous and there’s a brilliant restaurant there that I’d love to try!
jenny@atasteoftravel recently posted..Eating in New York
Ooh, do share! (Loved your comprehensive NY restaurant guide, btw)
I love the concept of jumping off the train on impulse. We’ve often considered it but haven’t acted on it. I do wish I was coming to TBEX, it would be such fun to finally meet face-to-face. Sigh, but Seattle is a bit of a stretch. . .
Bit of a long way that. Maybe Toronto next year then
MMMM that Catalan chocolate sounds wonderful! I just don’t know if it would help me wake up or put me back to sleep!?! Love the way you just hopped off the train too. Would love to have that experience
Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista recently posted..Photographic Europe: More of my Favorites!
It’s an interesting way to discover new and unexpected places, I think. Some good, some less so…
Could that be the name in Catalan?
Anyway, I love this story, Sophie. Love your impulse and how lovely it turned out. You could say Girona drew you to her?
InsideJourneys recently posted..Jamaica50 The Colors of Independence
I think maybe it did
The pudding-like chocolate you get in Spain is so wonderful. I can’t understand why it hasn’t caught on in America. We seem to have exhausted ever other signature dish from every country. Why not a chocolate and churros shop? (We have churros–just not with chocolate.) I love these pictures, and am trying to figure out if you ever slept that night?
Vera Marie Badertscher recently posted..Travel Photo Thursday: TX Road Trip
I did, but not for very long
How wonderful unexpected pleasures are! Love the stairs and the chocolate with an X
Natasha von Geldern recently posted..Destination Belgium: Battlefields of the Western Front
I also adore watching cities wake up. Girona looks lovely–I’m really wishing I could go to TBEX Europe.
Jenna recently posted..The Colors of Brazil
I wish you could, too, Jenna.
I love the way you captured the alleys and stairways. Girona looks so charming. It’s always great to watch the city wake up and have these few stolen moments of crowd free scenes. I wish I was going to TBEX Europe. I hope to meet you in Toronto next year.
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I love the stairs and just rightly up, inspirational. i love the way you captured them and so tempting to just sit down on the stairs, grab a book and read. that will be life for me by then.
Wends of Journeys and Travels recently posted..Hong Kong’s Clock Tower sentry of the past in the present
Oh yes, I like that. Just sitting on the stairs reading. Or writing..
Watching cities wake up is a great pastime! Have a great TBEX!
Jessica recently posted..Searching for Something at the Orange Show Houston and Finding Smithers Park
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I agree – it is fun to watch people going about their morning routines. Especially when I have nowhere I have to be myself!
Andrea recently posted..Avoiding Hidden Costs When Moving To Norway
That’s a given. Almost a bonus that – watching people hasten to work when I don’t have to.
We go to Girona this December
Victor Tribunsky recently posted..Petar I and His Baroque Church
You’ll enjoy it, I’m sure.
Looking forward to meeting you in Girona Sophie! I’ll be the confused looking one
Laurence recently posted..In photos: from the Facebook Page (Edition ii)
Look forward to meeting you, too. Might be a bit on the confused side myself.
Can’t wait to meet you there Sophie or to stand on the steps of Girona again. It is such a beautiful and historic city.
Looking forward to both.
What a gorgeous looking little town; a perfect escape for a day or two or even three. Enjoy your time there next month!
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Too bad you won’t be there, Nancie.
Girona was already earmarked for me. I just need to get over in that direction. Your post suggests it will live up to expectations. When’s the conference?
21 – 22 September. With fun things to do before and after.
I wish I were going to Girona. There’s still a SMALL chance… flights from Oz are just too darn expensive :/
Fingers crossed, Brooke
Stairs made the town for sure! It’s a great city views, and I love “mornings’ discoveries” when you can explore a place without being disturbing.
I will probably go in Girona, it will be the first time for me, so I’m hesitating yet to go or not…
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The Costa Brava is a beautiful region. Are you considering TBEX Europe next month? Hope to see you there
Finally, yes I will be there!
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Wow – makes me want to go to Girona now – looks fantastic, loved reading about the chocolate cafe spelt with an ‘x’, makes me think about delicious chocolate con churros that you get in Madrid and South America…mmmmm