Four days in Tarragona

I'm in a cafe finishing my breakfast of cafe con leche and a croissant. In a few hours I will put on my backpack and walk to the bus station and ride the noon bus to Barcelona. I've had a quiet, restful four days in this sea-side little city.

The first thing I did when I got here was nap. The night train was comfortable and relaxing but soooo hot that I tossed and turned alot. I've been staying in a little hotel room with my own bathroom (such a luxury). It has been such a well-timed treat because it allowed me to sink-wash my clothes (I still only have my tiny camino allotment) and nap whenever I felt like it. And I felt like it a lot! I think I've been a bit sick with sinusitis but for me, with chronic sinus/cough afflictions...how would I know?  Anyway, I napped a lot over four days.

I have found the weather to be quite cold. The sun in the sheltered areas is blissful. But it is windy often and this hard-core Canadian who walks to work until the thermometer drops below -40, was wimpering and shivering. Another clue that I wasn't in peak health. I've si

nce used the colder weather as an excuse to buy a new angora sweater and I've found that wearing my North Face rain jacket (thanks Cathy) blocks the wind and I am much warmer.

Tarragona has a visible history of its Roman origins and medieval times. Roman ruins (amphitheatre, forum, town wall...) are scattered like weeds in sidewalk cracks. The broad steps up to the cathedral were the site of a fierce and bloody battle with Napoleon's troops. The cathedral has wallhangings and art pieces that are unprotected from thoughtless tourists! Tarragona seems like such an innocent place.

And the Mediterranean is right there! In a blue that cannot be described!

Tarragona has been a great place to rest up and regroup before the last week in Barcelona and Paris.