Trixie Traveler in Catalonia: Arrival in Girona and a Reunion!

Our trip to Girona this morning went very smoothly. We didn't have any trouble hailing a cab to the train station from the busy corner outside of our apartment. It's amazing how much luggage they can get into what looks not to be that large a car. It was only 10 euros to,the station which, split among the two couples of us, made it very reasonable. The line for tickets wasn't too long and again, a bargain, at 10.50 euros each. The train itself, a regional Rodalies train, was nicer than I expected and very uncrowned. There was a luggage rack for us to store our bags. A pleasant hour and fifteen minutes brought us to the Girona train station. We get a taxi which crosses the river and climbs, climbs, climbs up to our hotel in the old part of the city. The streets are very narrow and winding and we hold our breath as we barely fit in the narrow space. Our hotel (Hotel Históric) is in a very old building but completely updated and modern. Proprieter is friendly and helpful and shows us to our room.

We run into Linda and Chas as we are checking in. Hellos and hugs all around. We go to lunch at a place recommended by the hotel man. We are off a big square. The meal is delicious. We top it off with some delicious gelato, the best we have had so far on this trip.

As we are walking toward the cathedral, we see Jeanne and Bob, and Frank and Jeannie so more hellos and hugs. We continue our walk toward the cathedral. It is a beautiful day but the streets here are cobblestones and go up and downhill so it gets quite warm in the sun. The cathedral is nice having the widest nave of any gothic cathedral in Europe. We decide to visit the Jewish Museum and wind around up and down the streets looking for it. We finally find it. It is in a very old building, the one that used to be the main synagogue in Girona. This museum chronicles the history of Jews in Girona. Jews, Christians and Muslims used to get along well and lived amongst each other until the 1300s when more and more restrictions were put on them and then in the 1400s King Ferdinand and Queen Isabel expelled the Jews. They either had to leave or convert to Christianity. The area where they lived was called a "call."

We are tired now so head back to the hotel where we run into Jim and Sari who,have just arrived. Everyone is here now and it is great to see everyone once again. Dave, John and Kathy stop at a bike shop but I continue up the hill and see Philipp standing outside the hotel door! It is so great to see him! He has just arrived with the other two leaders and the van. It's wonderful to be able to do another trip with him.

We end this day with a delicious dinner at Draps restaurant in the old city with our entire group. Girona is a lovely old, old city, a quiet alternative to Barcelona.n We will do more exploring tomorrow.