When last we heard from Flat S, she had been abducted by pirates who were sailing across the Atlantic toward an unknown destination. Shortly after that story was posted, a message in a bottle appeared on the shores of the East River near our apartment. It was from the pirates, demanding a ransom in exchange for returning her safely. They wanted a small collection of fabric patterns and some remnants from past Oliver + S fabric lines. They promised to release her when they landed in Spain in August. We quickly gathered the ransom, packed our bags (including a fresh outfit for Flat S since she’d been stuck in that same Family Reunion Dress for over a year), and booked flights to Barcelona.
Upon arrival, we followed instructions to leave the ransom in a designated spot. The next day, Flat S slid through the mail slot of the apartment we were staying in. It was fantastic to see her again after such a long time! Since we were all in Barcelona, we decided to make the most of our time together—sightseeing, working, and letting Flat S tag along.
We began with a day of walking around Montjuïc, which was conveniently close to our apartment. On the way, we stopped at Plaça d’Espanya.
There’s something magical about the German Pavilion, a reproduction of the one designed by Mies van der Rohe for the 1929 International Exhibition. It’s considered one of the first examples of modernist architecture and opened the world’s eyes to a new way of thinking about space.
From there, we climbed the stairs past the Magical Fountain and entered the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, one of our favorites. The current museum building was also constructed for that 1929 exhibition. It’s fascinating to see how different contemporary styles were compared to Mies’s minimalist masterpiece.
At the top, we were rewarded with a breathtaking view of the city below.
We spent a delightful afternoon at the museum, revisiting two of our favorite paintings by Ramon Casas. These works, painted in 1897 and 1901, are often described as representing the transition from the 19th to the 20th century, symbolized by the shift from bicycles to automobiles.
On another day, we stumbled upon a sewing studio offering machines and coffee for just seven euros an hour. Unfortunately, it was already mid-afternoon, and they were closing for siesta. We couldn’t go in to sew Flat S a new dress. (Yes, businesses in Spain really do shut down for a few hours in the afternoon for siesta. And they need to during festival season, as you’ll see soon.)
During our time in Barcelona, it was festival season. Each neighborhood competes during festival week, and every block decorates according to a chosen theme using recycled materials. We’ve never seen plastic bottles and papier-mâché used so creatively. Streets are closed off, and the neighborhood comes together to hang their decorations. It’s quite the spectacle!
Not long after Flat S arrived, it was the turn of the Gracia neighborhood. Known for its elaborate decorations, Gracia didn’t disappoint.
The following week, it was our turn in the Sants neighborhood. A former factory village that’s now part of Barcelona, Sants doesn’t have decorations as grand as Gracia, but they were still impressive. Our street went with an Aladdin theme. Here’s Flat S posing with some of the characters.
Besides the street decorations, blocks set up temporary bars run by locals. Tables and chairs fill the streets, turning them into impromptu taverns every afternoon. Many restaurants also move their tables outside.
Each decorated street organizes live music events, featuring everything from traditional Catalan orchestras to Rolling Stones tribute bands. Being in Spain, the music runs late, starting at 11 PM and going until 1:30 or 2:30 AM, with people lingering in the streets until after 3 AM most mornings.
In between enjoying the food, drinks, music, and decorations, Flat S made friends with many locals. After her year of solo travels, she wasn’t shy at all. She’d walk right up to interesting people on the streets or in the subway and introduce herself.
One day, she met a lovely woman while waiting for the metro. The woman said English-speaking visitors often ask to take her picture. We didn’t ask, but we think her favorite color is blue.
Flat S also helped out one day at a festival bar run by two young men.
And she hung out with a group of guys by a fountain one afternoon.
She loved shopping at our local market, where vendors sold fresh produce, fish, and meat.
She became good friends with Judit, who works at her family’s butcher shop. Judit was incredibly kind, forgiving my poor Spanish when I tried to buy skirt steak for the grill and helping me avoid a potential meat disaster. (Isn’t she adorable with her purple hair?)
If you follow Liesl on Instagram, you know about the door photo bombs she and S do everywhere they go. For a few days in Barcelona, Flat S joined in on the fun.
On one of our last days, Flat S helped us with a photoshoot for Liesl + Co.’s upcoming fall patterns.
Sadly, our stay had to end. When it was time to head home for the school year, Flat S refused to board the plane. The weather was too nice, she said, and she didn’t want to leave.
On our final day in Spain, we visited friends by the beach in Castelldefels. Flat S had such a wonderful time that she decided to stay there when we returned to Barcelona to catch our flight home. So we left her by the pool.
We’re sure she’ll find new friends to look after her and show her more of Spain before moving on to her next adventure. As always, we’re excited to hear about her next escapades!
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