Home » Spain » We Disembark, are Accosted by Gypsies, and are Unable to Purchase a Car Due to Concerns Over Possible Terrorist Connections

Barcelona, Spain
May 16, 2001
Scoreboard: 11,100 miles; 5 Countries, 20 states

We Disembark, are Accosted by Gypsies, and are Unable to Purchase a Car Due to Concerns Over Possible Terrorist Connections

Claytononboard
2005-11-18 12:55:30

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11 hours. At one point she cursed them all, thinking she'd lost one, but it turned out that Alexandra was the culprit.

We finally cut a deal with several taxis, and the director of Stacion Sants to take us to a nearby campsite. Actually, my final negotiation was something like "Hey, get off the phone! My wife is going crazy! Just tell me where the closest hotel is and how to get there! I don't care how much it costs, hey!"

As soon as Theresa saw the campsite on the beach everything was wonderful again. The wind and the water...traveling reminds you that humans are primal forces of nature, too.

La Ballega Allegre (The Happy Whale), I whole heartedly recommend it, ping-pong tables, tennis courts (small charge), large inexpensive tankards of lager...

We planned on getting in and out of Barcelona in about two hours (and buying a VW van in Hamburg). So far we've been here for five days and we're likely looking at five more. No problem, the spirit of siesta has overtaken us. Lazy or innately existential, it may all look the same to outsiders, but the Spanish are convinced that things get done when they need to.

We found a great deal on a Volvo, and another one on a trailer, we'll put together a gypsy caravan in the proud tradition of Carmen, and Mr. Toad. Unfortunately we can't buy the car without residency papers of some sort.

I tried to explain to the guy that I'm English, and would handle the paperwork in London. He didn't fall for it. I tried to get a very nice guy at the bus station to sign the paperwork, then give the car to me. He was about to do it, but asked the other guy what his concerns were and when the other guy said "secto political", I knew it wouldn't work.

I don't blame either of them. The ETA is waging a very bloody war for Basque independence just miles from here. I suspect that Spanish ...