Without a Traceroute

I took a train to Barcelona, it was a slow regional train that took five hours to cover the 350 km between Valencia and Barcelona. I’m not a big fan of the hostel that Danny and I are staying at. It’s way outside the center of town, one stop from the end of the metro line. Also, the desk clerk last night was kind of a huge dick, he kept yelling at people for being too loud and threatening to call the cops and have them thrown out (even after they had quieted down a lot) and refused to let Danny use the kitchen to make food (because of noise?). We chose this hostel because it has laundry, and we need to wash our Tomatina stuff, but I think I’ll check out today.

I stayed up to watch Obama’s acceptance speech along with an Irish guy from Cork. Bizarrely, the desk clerk guy was nice later, he gave us several free beers and actually cooked us a Spanish omlette (?!). He kept talking about how he was “just doing his job” by yelling at people. Then during Obama’s speech he went on a long rant that I didn’t entirely follow about how bullshit politics is and how I shouldn’t care about politics but should spend more time worrying about fast motorcycles and girls. Not that I don’t think motorcycles and girls are awesome, but there’s no reason that should preclude an interest in politics.

Anyway, I got a tip from one of the Dutch hackers about a hacklab that’s here in Barcelona, so I think I’m going to try to check that out today, and also try find a better place to stay. I think I’m getting sick, too. My nose has been kind of stuffy and I’ve felt dried out with a sore throat for a day or so.