Wandering the world – Girona, Catalunya

Girona, the city of four rivers with its peeling church bells and beautiful stone bridges, lies to the southwest of Barcelona, where visitors are invited to a historic center that is a stunning labyrinth of medieval corridors standing tall over the entire city.

We visited on a warm day when the sky welcomed all of Girona’s visitors with a vividly clear azure, none of my photos will do it justice. The azure was only a slight variation of the cobalt I often saw in Barcelona, the blue of the Mediterranean, the blue Picasso used in his ‘rooftops of Barcelona’ painting, and the blue tile in Gaudi’s buildings. I would often think to myself as I walked around, that the sky found a way to complement the pulse of Catalunya. Although I strongly believe azure and cobalt are not accurate labels.

We were happily lost at first, my family decided it was my fault because I refused to turn around and go back to grab my husband’s phone, before leaving Barcelona. I don’t think they realized we would have waited another hour for a train. There was some complaining, er, the children weren’t too pleased, but I said to them.. “what’s a trip without some excitement?” apparently they did not want that sort of excitement. Well, with my come what may attitude, we explored the other half of the city, wandering aimlessly in the heat, walking in the direction opposite to the Historic center for about 30 mins. It was the residential part of the city which was as diverse as many parts of Barcelona. I had to flag down locals, asking a myriad questions. My Spanish is passable. I’d say part of the fun was trying to speak rapidly, then forgetting words and gesturing politely so as not to seem deranged. Oh the locals were lovely, they like it so much more if you try to communicate. I cannot utter more than two or three words of Catalan, and yet it is exciting to pretend to be Spanish, if only in my head. Girona lies inland, and is hotter than Barcelona because it doesn’t have an ocean breeze, although It is only a 40 minute train ride from Barcelona’s Sants station. We did eventually meet a family from San Diego who were also lost and joined us because we mentioned our planned walk around the Jewish quarter.

An overview of the medieval quarter

Pujada de Sant Domenec- used in the market scene between Arya and the waif in Game of Thrones season 6 ( not the only reason to see this beautiful place).

Girona Cathedral – the same location where Jamie Lannister and his troops marched to prevent Margaery’s walk of Atonement in Game of Thrones season 6

Climbing ninety steps to this eleventh century Gothic beauty, with its massive Baroque front in the heat was not for the faint hearted. Girona has so much history, wherever you turned, it was magical.  I am also a “Game of Thrones person” and by that I mean, a person who absolutely loves the show. Am I good at GoT trivia? not so much, but having said that, GOT people want to see Girona. Season 6 saw the city used as Kings Landing, Braavos and the Old City. However, I didn’t love Girona just because of Game of Thrones, I loved it for the sense of peace I felt away from the bustling streets of Barcelona.

Yes, that is I. On the throne. Not photoshopped. It’s very tall. I’m very short. my feet dangled but I was over the moon!

I should not be smiling, but the Game of Thrones geek in me was beside myself. How do I not smile sitting on the iron throne – they made me look like I belonged. Oh it was such a moment for me. My daughter has photos of me adjusting everything, they are not so dignified – she thought it was ridiculously funny that her mother’s inner child revealed herself.