Sunday June 23

We made it to church okay, where Nikki actually met a couple of sisters from Ecuador, as well as Maryanne.  She actually told us that this next week is the beginning of a massive sale all throughout the region, with up to half off at all the stores!  After yet another siesta, we decided to hit the beach.  Once again, the weather struck maybe 30 minutes into our excursion forcing us to come home, but not before eating our picnic. 

The night of the 23^rd is actually a major holiday in Catalunya, as it represents the night before el Dia de San Juan.  People party until 6 in the morning, and spend all night blowing up fireworks, firecrackers, and all manner of explosives.  Nikki and I decided to head back to the beach where they have the largest party, although they celebrate in the streets throughout the entire city.  Unfortunately, on our way down the metro lines ran into technical difficulties and we ended up on the streets trying to figure out the buses.  This unexpected adventure proved successful and we found bus 17 to Barceloneta, where we walked along the marina promenade and ate waffles from a street vendor.  The waffles were actually surprisingly good, though I still do not know why they gave us a little plastic spoon.  It couldn’t even cut through the waffle!  Regardless, after finishing the waffle we walked through the old fishing district to the beaches and walked up the boardwalk along San Sebastian, San Miguel, Barceloneta, and to Somorrostro. 

Apart from the stupid petardos, (firecrackers), that people kept throwing randomly into crowds of people, it was actually quite enjoyable.  All the chiringuitos were open, selling food and drink and playing music all along the beach for people to dance too.  The beach itself was also full of bonfires from people just digging pits and roasting willy nilly.  The fireworks themselves were decent.  No organized show, but as anyone could walk down the street and buy massive fireworks, the beach was full of entrepreneurs.  We actually saw one idiot who set of a firework that didn’t actually get up into the air and blew up on the beach, clearing a significant section.  Luckily, by this point, Nikki and I had made it out to one of the piers and were sitting on the rocks overlooking the bay and watching the beach from a distance.  It was very romantic to be sitting on the rocks looking over the beach when the clock struck midnight and the party really got going!  We finally made it home about 2 am, right when all the younger, single, crowd showed up and sat on the porch to watch the fireworks next to our house before having our own mixed drinks, (OJ and Sprite) and calling it a night.