Ryan left last night from Chicago and he’s headed to Barcelona, Spain for six days. The trip includes side trips to Montjuic which is a big hill next to Barcelona, host to the Barcelona Olympics of 1992 and a spectacular display of architecture from all around Spain. Then onto Tibidabo, an even bigger hill, this time with a popular amusement park. And lastly, Sitges the best beaches in the area, just a stone's throw from Barcelona.

I'm worried about him though. I've been hearing some sketchy things about the Barcelona crime rate and how it's not the safest place right now. He keeps reassuring me and says that all tourists have to be extra cautious in any foreign city or even big American cities. You just have to use common sense. I suppose he's right.

He’s spending his 20th birthday on Sunday there too. If it were me, I’d be bummed if I was in a foreign country and spending my birthday with only two people I knew (and work people, nonetheless), but he’s excited. He always see's the positive in everything...which I think is a pretty awesome quality to have.

Barcelona. I can’t even imagine. He promises to take a lot of pictures. I told him to have someone take pictures of him so I can upload them to my blog. He said he would. The one crappy photo I took of him in Ohio doesn't do him justice.

Comments:

comment by itsjustme on June 20, 2008 3:22 AM ()

Thanks!

reply by mattguru18 on June 21, 2008 4:23 PM ()

Barcelona is beautiful, and the eye candy..well maybe you should be requesting pics of that

comment by ducky on June 19, 2008 4:11 PM ()

He'll take plenty pics of hot guys. Don't worry

reply by mattguru18 on June 19, 2008 4:30 PM ()

I'm not bad talking Milwaukee--I was there in the stone age (1972) met Manny--oh you are too ypung to hear that story!!!

comment by greatmartin on June 19, 2008 3:14 PM ()

Hey! I'm not that young

reply by mattguru18 on June 19, 2008 3:59 PM ()

comment by panthurdreams on June 19, 2008 12:59 PM ()

I hope he has a great time too. I'll update the pics as soon as he emails them to me next week. I'm anxious to see them myself.
::hugs:: Thanks and have a super day, too!

reply by mattguru18 on June 19, 2008 2:57 PM ()

My brother and sister-in-law visited there several years ago and enjoyed it. I know things have changed. Sounds like he is very level-headed and knows what to look out for. I know you are going to miss him. I worried about my hubby while he was gone by himself of these trips because of safety. Probably the last place he was at LA California worried me the most for him and he told me after he got back that he was more worried for his safety there. Hang in there.

comment by texastar on June 19, 2008 5:21 AM ()

I will. Thanks

reply by mattguru18 on June 19, 2008 2:36 PM ()

I have been in Varcelona 2 times now, a real great city. He should indeed be aware of pickpockets, specially in the metro. Montjuic is great, but he should visit all the "GAUDI" things as well. The "sagrada familia" is a great architectal work. Do you imagine he is closer to me then to you now (in distance )? Give him a hug from me next Sunday (I am sure you will txt him) and tell him he is lucky having a firend like you!

comment by itsjustme on June 19, 2008 1:46 AM ()

It's somewhat of a relief knowing that you and other's visited Barcelona without any problems. The next time I'm in contact with him I'll tell him about Gaudi and how you suggest he check out the architecture there. Thanks for that suggestion.
On his return I'll give him a hug and tell him its from you. But I get to give him a hug and a kiss first.

reply by mattguru18 on June 19, 2008 2:52 PM ()

I want to go back to Barcelona or any part of Spain. The pictures will be great.

comment by firststarisee on June 18, 2008 7:35 PM ()

I'm glad to hear you enjoyed your trip to Spain so much. Hopefully you'll get a chance to return soon.

reply by mattguru18 on June 19, 2008 2:59 PM ()

comment by greatmartin on June 18, 2008 6:09 PM ()

I definitely want to travel -- its a goal of mine. There are so many amazing countries that I'd love to visit.
Milwaukee's perfect, Martin! Don't bad talk it.

reply by mattguru18 on June 19, 2008 3:09 PM ()

You'll get there one day Matt! Chicago ROCKS Something going on every night of the week unlike boring Boston

comment by brian45 on June 18, 2008 3:36 PM ()

CLARK STREET is the name of it-just remembered pal

reply by brian45 on June 19, 2008 5:07 PM ()

Matt, North Halstead-named after a famous porn star from the 70's (ask your friend)- is one of the two gay sections of Chitown. It has tons of bars, a few really cool dance clubs, and restauraunts (I went to a Mexican restauraunt and it was EXCELLENT!) If you plan to travel, I highly recommend you get a DAMRON GUIDE which has all the gay bars listed, maps,eating places, hotels, etc. Of all the places I have traveled, I don't think I had one bad meal in Chicago; the food is soooo good If you like Japanese, there are some really good places on the long, long street that Wrigley Park is on-can't think of the name of it. I'm due for another trip there

reply by brian45 on June 19, 2008 5:05 PM ()

Chicago's weather can be crazy! I guess that's why its called the "windy city". Halstead? I'll have to remember that street next time I'm in Chicago. Thanks for the suggestion.

My sister's husband grew up in Portland. He loved it. He and his family moved to WI when he was a teenager. I'm sure he'd love to move back someday but knowing my sister, I highly doubt she'd do it. She wants to raise their daughter near both sets of Grandparents which is understandable.

reply by mattguru18 on June 19, 2008 4:27 PM ()

Wow, I have to stop using the word "there" so much

reply by brian45 on June 19, 2008 3:24 PM ()

Matt, if I could find a decent paying job around here, I could put some money away and would move in a heartbeat The extreme temps in Chicago-especially the winters-may get to me though. People there are really friendly and helpful if you need directions or just at the bars. In Boston people have a tendency to ignore each other; in Chicago people went out of there way when I was there to help me. I had the most fun at this dance bar called the Jackhammer; (North Halsted Street is a BLAST!!) the long islands were THE BOMB (and I got bombed pal...LOL) and all the guys were so friendly I could deal with the cities liberal politics as I am sure there are lots of conservative and independent thinkers there as well. Cold temps and wind is another thing Los Angeles would be awesome but I would need a car which I do not want to invest in. I just take public transport everywhere in Boston-we do have a good MBTA system I will say that but the nightlife these days is DULL, DULL, DULL. Drove a car for over ten years and that was enough. Another city I have thought of moving to is Portland, Oregon. It is small I know- supposed to be really beautiful, have a good sized gay community, and solid public transport. A few things to consider there
Later bud-B

reply by brian45 on June 19, 2008 3:22 PM ()

Yeah, I love Chicago. So much to see and do -- can't beat it. [THUMBSUP]
That's too bad you find Boston boring. Have you ever thought of moving?

reply by mattguru18 on June 19, 2008 3:11 PM ()

Mike and I visit there a few years back.
It is wonderful not to mention the guys there.whoooooooo
He would have a wonderful time there.
Good food and place to go.
Spain is just beautiful.
Drats,I got to find the photos that we took.
Maybe some day will dig them out.
Too bad he didn't cover the rest of Spain there.
But he will have a great time.

comment by lunarhunk on June 18, 2008 2:38 PM ()

I'm looking forward to the seeing the pics too.
Thanks..he's a good guy, worth worrying about.

reply by mattguru18 on June 19, 2008 3:37 PM ()