Tarragona
Last Week on the Road
My Epic Journey So Far
Today’s Weather Report
Oh, what a day in Tarragona! A brisk 12.2°C – feels more like 10.44°C if you ask me. Perfect for a gnome with a stone-cold sense of humor. The sky as clear as my grumpy attitude in the morning. Humidity at a low 37%, just the way my moss-free beard likes it. And the wind, a gentle 1.54 m/s, barely enough to rustle my wee gnome hat! Ah, the trials and tribulations of a traveling gnome, always at the mercy of the weather. But hey, at least I’m not melting!
Gnome-where but Tarragona!
I embarked on an epic journey of 0.0km, a grueling expedition from Tarragona… back to Tarragona. Quite the odyssey, I know. But hey, as the Spanish saying goes, “No hay camino largo con buena compañía“, which translates to “No road is too long with good company”. And what better company than myself, eh?
Now, you might wonder, what could I possibly have observed in my non-existent move within the same city? Well, my friends, it’s the small details that make life exciting. I noticed that the cobblestones beneath my feet had a different texture as I repositioned myself within the city – a small testament to the passage of time and the wear of countless footsteps before mine. An interesting observation, don’t you think?
As of today, I’ve trudged, trekked, and sometimes tripped, covering a total of 1038.3 kilometers in 41 days. My recent stops, apart from Tarragona (did I mention I’m in Tarragona?), include the lovely towns of Ascó and Falset, each with their own unique charm.
Now, I haven’t crossed any borders recently, but if I had, believe me, I would be regaling you with tales of language changes, border crossings, and new customs. But that’s a story for another day…
Here’s a little verse that I picked up from a local troubadour in Tarragona:
“Caminante, no hay camino,
se hace camino al andar.”
“Walker, there is no path,
the path is made by walking.”
Quite the philosophical musing, isn’t it? Just like our journey together, my friends. We’re making our path as we go along. So, stay tuned for more adventures from your favorite globetrotting gnome!
Hasta la próxima, mis amigos! (Until next time, my friends!)
Wandering Tarragona’s Streets
Gnome’s Petite Palette Prowess
Painted en plein air while taking in the sights of Tarragona.
— Oliver the Gnome, aspiring artist
Tarragona: Gladiator Sandals & Gaudi Grooves!
First, the Amfiteatre Romà, a Roman coliseum right by the sea. Imagine the gladiators’ sandals echoing through the ages. “¿Puedes escucharlo?” – Can you hear it? This coliseum has seen both the thrill of the gladiator fights and the sanctity of early Christian martyrs.
Second, the city is a living tribute to the renowned Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi. His influence is evident in the architecture throughout the city, a visual feast of curves and colors that’ll make your heart sing like a Federico García Lorca poem. “El sol, la rosa y el niño florecen por dentro” – The sun, the rose, and the child bloom from within.
Tarragona, a city where the past and present dance together, as beautifully synchronized as a Manuel de Falla composition. So, “¿Vienes a bailar?” – Will you come to dance?
Devil’s Night at the Gladiator’s Theater!
Tarragona, a city steeped in history, was once the Roman city of Tarraco. Its most emblematic monument, the Amphitheatre, was where gladiator fights and public executions took place. Now that’s what I call “¡puro teatro!” (pure theater!). Another fascinating piece is the Devil’s Bridge, an ancient aqueduct. Its name stems from a legend that the devil built it in a single night. As the locals say, “¡Eso es una leyenda!” (That’s a legend!). Both these places have seen centuries pass by, and if only they could talk, they’d probably say, “¡Qué tiempos aquellos!” (What times those were!).
Gnome’s Tour de Tarragona
See you tomorrow!
Around the World on Foot, in Many, Many Days 