Two girls, zero plans - how I ended up in Barcelona

Middle of April. Everything was same old, same old.
And then — BOOM — I come home one day, call my friend like: “Wanna grab a coffee?”
We meet up, we chat, we gossip... and right in the middle of the convo, she drops it like it’s nothing:
“Oh, by the way, I’m going to Barcelona.”

Me: 😳 “Wait, WHAT?!”

Her: “Yeah, I need a chill week. Just decided.”

And me being me... already a little sad... I ask:
“Okay but... with who are you going?”

She just blinks and goes: “Alone.”

ALONE. I almost fall off my chair:
“You’re going to freaking BARCELONA and didn’t even THINK to invite me?! WHAT KIND OF FRIEND ARE YOU?!” 😂😂

And she’s just sitting there, all sweet and innocent:
“Well, Tina, it was a last-minute thing. I didn’t think you’d be able to go. You’re probably working.”

Me (volume going UP): “You didn’t even ASK?! I CAN GO! Tell me the dates. I’m going to talk to my boss TOMORROW. I’m coming with you. BELIEVE THAT.” 💪😂

Next day, I walk into the office, innocent as an angel:
“So, my friend just got single after 13 years and she’s planning to go to Barcelona. Alone. And honestly, I’m worried. Big city. Alone. I really care about her…”🥺

Boss looks at me: “What dates?”
I tell her. She nods: “You’re only scheduled one day that week anyway. Go for it.”
Whaaat?!? Bless you, boss lady! 🙌

Called my friend IMMEDIATELY:
“Hey you little brat… I’M COMING WITH YOU!” 😂😂

Told my husband. His reaction?
“Wait... I get FOUR days alone? Go, baby, go.”
And I’m standing there thinking: should I be happy he’s so chill or offended that he’s THIS chill?!? 😂😂

Fast forward to yesterday…OUR TRIP STARTED!! ✈️
Flight at 6am from Vienna airport. Me? Over the moon. Last-minute trip with my bestie?? YESSS. (Still kinda mad she didn’t invite me, but whatever... she owes me a cocktail 😎)
Landed in Barcelona at 8:30am and ohhhh my GOSH. PALMS. SPANISH. I’m in heaven. 😍
(I love the Spanish language… it’s like music for my ears!)

First mission: Metro/bus/train pass for 4 days. Let’s be smart tourists. 🤓

Second mission: Brunch and coffee… fancy AND necessary. My stomach was like…Gracias, amiga 😂

Third mission: Find our hostel.
Yes, I’m 34 and still rocking a hostel vibe… feeling young and wild, baby! But plot twist:
We get there, and the owner says we’ve got our OWN room. With a PRIVATE bathroom.
Me, internally screaming with joy but trying to play it cool:
“Oh… nice…” 😏

Let’s be real...sharing a room with six strangers? Not anymore, honey. Maybe in my 20s, when I was partying 24/7 (okay fine, maybe just 2/7) 😂

The second I saw the bed, I collapsed.
Looked at my friend like: “Girl... give me one minute...”
One minute later: ZZZZ 💤😂
An hour later, she walks in.
Me, waking up like: “WHAT HAPPENED?! Did I fall asleep??

She goes: “You were out cold, I went looking for a shop. Got us some food.”
Legend. 😂

Okay, so listen... when I heard we were staying in Badalona, I was like:
"Sorry, what? Is that near the sea? Because if I don’t see waves, I will cry."😅
And guess what? IT. IS. BY. THE. SEA. 🙌
Only like 15 minutes from the center of Barcelona, but way more chill, way less tourists, and HELLO beautiful beach!!

Seriously, this place feels like a little hidden gem. It’s technically its own city, but super close to Barcelona, and it’s got that real local vibe. You know what I mean…not all packed with people taking selfies next to a coffee they didn’t drink 😂
The beach here? Wiiiide, clean, calm.
You actually see locals jogging, walking their dogs, doing yoga and again, not just posing for Instagram stories. (No hate, but… you know what I mean) 😂

Fun fact I totally googled (because I felt smart for a second)
Badalona is one of the oldest cities in Catalonia, it was actually a Roman settlement called Baetulo. 😲
Like... people were living here in togas and sandals while we’re here sipping mojitos in flip-flops. Time is a circle 😂

Alsoooo…there's a Roman bath museum here! I mean, did I plan to visit it? No. Will I? Maybe. Depends on how heavy the next cocktail is. 🍹

So yeah, Badalona = GO.
Close to the city, far from the chaos, beach in walking distance, and enough places to nap, snack, and sip your way through a relaxing day.
Next time someone says “Barcelona,” I’ll be like:
“Cool cool, but have you tried Badalona though?”😉

We were still kinda tired from the whole travel marathon, so we just walked to the beach (only 5 minutes away…I LOVE THIS PLACE).
I wanted to swim, water was perfect…
BUT of course I forgot my swimsuit 🙄 Classic me.

So instead…Beach bar. Cocktails. Sun. LIFE IS GOOD.
One cocktail and I’m tipsy?!? WHAT WAS IN THAT THING?! 😂

Hunger kicks in… we find amazing food…eat like queens…go back to hostel.
Guess what? Crashed again in 2 minutes. 😂

Today I woke up feeling fresh!☀️
We’re ready to explore this gorgeous city…museums, sights, good food, ALL OF IT.
Let’s gooooooo!! 💪

With love, @tinabrezpike ❤️