From Boisterous Budapest to Beautiful Barcelona

[spectralbovine]

Some astute readers may have noticed a few references to an impending trip to Europe, specifically Budapest and Barcelona. In two weeks, I will be on my way to Europe on the company dime. My boss and I are going over there for some Investigator's Meetings at which I will give a half-hour talk in each city. Also, there will be face time with people

Comments

[kroki_refur]

Re: travel insurance: as far as I'm concerned, the most important thing that travel insurance does is insures you for if you get sick or injured while you're away. Of course, you may have a clause that does that on your medical insurance, but being British, I don't have medical insurance, so I always always take out travel insurance. Paying hospital bills in full is a bad, bad thing.

As for the rest: the only time I went to Barcelona I managed to get lost in the red light district, so I don't have a lot to add about sights (but go and see the Sagrada Familia, so I can live vicariously through you!) I didn't find that people were angry with me when I spoke Spanish to them -- they were mostly impressed that I could speak another language at all. But then, I was short and smiley and female and sixteen, so I probably got away with a lot that other people might not. If you speak any Spanish, it might be worth just saying "I'm sorry, I don't speak Catalan, is it OK to use Castilian or English?" Anyone who gets shirty about that is probably not someone you want to talk to anyway.

I guess you're not in Barcelona that long, but I heartily recommend Tarragona as a place to visit if you decide to get out of the city.

Also, I am totally jealous that you're going to Budapest. Just so you know.

[spectralbovine]

Well, you're in frickin' Middle Earth, so there's that. I don't know how you got used to walking upside-down.

the only time I went to Barcelona I managed to get lost in the red light district
Why am I not surprised?

[kroki_refur]

It's actually quite nice, as red light districts go.

...not that I would have anything to compare it to. Obviously.

[spectralbovine]

Speaking of things that rock your body, you all right down there?

[kroki_refur]

I'm fine! There was no damage down here anyway, and I managed to sleep right through it all. Thank you for asking!