The beginning of the longest trip EVER!!

So our last day in Barcelona we did not plan very well...It was pretty much a half day in Barcelona because our plan was to go to Valencia, however we did not buy a train ticket in advance so when we arrived at the train station at 10:30am hoping to catch the 12:30pm train we were stuck in the station for 4 hours because it was sold out and the next train was at 2:30pm. Yeah, not fun!! Anyways, we finally made it to Valencia where my dad decided to rent a car and drive the rest of the trip (do you see where this is going...). 

In addition to the car we rented a navigation system which is just as helpful as a boat that doesn't float! So after a 3.5 hour train ride and thank goodness a 15 minute drive to our hotel we were finally settled. 

It was a really cute hotel right on the beach but let me remind you that we arrived around 6:30pm so the day was pretty much gone and a lot of restaurants were closed for "siesta" and wouldn't open again till about 9pm. So we decided to walk along the beach for awhile which was nice, BUT it was night time and NO ONE else was out there and just kinda out of place. Really what I'm trying to get to is that going to Valencia was a complete waste of a day and a little bitter about it...

But here are a few things I have learned about Spain in general:

1. Taxi's think they own the streets

2. Motorcycles/scooters are the best and easiest, yet most dangerous, way to get around

3. There are NO speed limits when driving through the city so ALWAYS look both ways before crossing the street

4. The napkins here are like tissue paper

5. Almost everything closes from about 2:30/3-9 for "siesta" which leaves almost nothing to do but wonder around town or nap

6. When visiting Spain you eat A LOT and walk A LOT and then eat some more

7. You do not really leave tips here, like maybe 5% if the service was spectacular 

(more to come with pictures)