When I was in Madrid, I felt like I was in love. It was great. So much to see and do, entertaining, good food. All around fantastic. Like I said, in love.
Or at least I thought I was.
Then I got to Barcelona and learned what love really is.
Most people would agree that Madrid is the more hip, active, young city and that Barcelona is a bit more laid back, “tourist-y” and not as lively. And it’s true that it wasn’t necessarily AS lively as Madrid was, but there was definitely life to Barcelona. So when you think of young people like me traveling around Spain, you’d think that Madrid would prevail over Barcelona. But it was definitely the opposite. Maybe it’s because I’ve been traveling for two weeks now and Barcelona was a lot more relaxing and calm. Or maybe because it was such pretty scenery and not just buildings. I personally think that it was the beach that made me love it. Whatever the reason, Barcelona has been absolutely wonderful.
When I got in, I didn’t have a plan and just figured I’d let my feet take me places until I had to check in to my hostel. When I saw signs pointing to the Sagrada Familia, I figured I might as well go there first. Good thinking, since even at 9 AM the line was around the corner. I think so far, this has been the most impressive thing that I’ve seen. There is so much hype around this church and it definitely lived up to the hype. I mean, it’s been under construction for almost 100 years, and it’s just so beautiful. The outside is stunning, and then the inside is so beautiful in terms of the light and colors and modernity and everything. It's so cool and natural looking. Like the pillars, they're designed to be different widths and heights to make it look like a forest. It's wild! So pretty!
Passion Facade, Sagrada Familia
Nativity Facade, Sagrada Familia
Interior of Sagrada Familia
Roamed the streets, saw all the Gaudi houses, etc. until I checked into my hostel, and then decided I’d head over to Parc Güell, which is another Gaudi designed estate/park with lots of really cool buildings, architecture, gardens, etc. I grabbed a beer from the little food vendor (perfect on a hot day) and walked around, eventually making it to the top where they have this hill of three crosses, and an amazing view of Barcelona. I just sat up there and looked over the city and as far as your eyes could see of the Mediterranean Sea. Felt like heaven.
Parc Güell
By this point it was like 9 and I was exhausted so I went back to bed early. Next day I had two plans: Tibidabo and Montjuïc. Tibidabo is part of the mountain range and they have this really cool amusement park and a cathedral at the top. So I headed there around noon. I thought I had a great view of the city from Parc Güell the day before, but the view from the top of here was even more amazing. Got another beer (trend?) and just looked out. It was the first time that I really felt like I was on a “vacation.” I mean, really this whole thing is a vacation, but it was so much work to plan and everything that I feel like I’ve just been running through a schedule…hostel, train, hostel, plane, hostel, bus, etc. Maybe that’s why I loved Barcelona so much, it really felt the most like a “vacation.”
View from Tibidabo. Daddy can't deal.
Headed down the mountain and over to Montjuïc, which is the park on the other side of the city where the Olympic Stadium from the 1992 games and a whole bunch of other things are located. Got to go into the Olympic stadium which was REALLY cool and just makes me want to try and go to London for 2012 (or Rio for 2016) even more! UGH. We’ll see. Cafeteria there is run by Aramark…go figure. Spent the evening at La Rambla, which is the main excitement street going through part of the city (think like Times Square-ish in NYC or Champs-Elysées in Paris). Got some food, walked around, saw some interesting characters. Then bed. Another good Barcelona day.
Olympic Stadium
La Rambla
Left the hostel early the next day to spend the day at the BEACH. Swam for a little, journaled and listened to my ipod for a little. It was nice, except for the fact that there are a ton of people walking around trying to sell tattoos, shawls, beer, soda, food, and massages (which I do wish I did…they were just really annoying about asking all the time). Then met up with RHEA who had spent the semester there but was traveling and had a layover on her way home. AKA perfect reunion. We basically just walked around the city, she showed me some places that I hadn’t been (Cathedral, market, concert hall) and we roamed from park to park and just talked and caught up. Got some food, then parted ways so I could catch my night bus to Nice. SUCH A GREAT NIGHT.
¡La Playa!
Rhea! In BARCELONA
Well that’s the end of Barcelona, and Spain for that matter, except for the 23 hours that I’ll be back before my flight home on June 16. I’ve been making a list of the things that I need to see/do again while I’m back. They already include a last trip to Cerveceria 100 Montaditos, and a glass of Sangria from El Mercado de San Miguel. And I think I’ll probably go sit somewhere nice and get goooood paella before I head home. And I’ll check out the souvenirs. I have the hoodie that I bought in Madrid already, but maybe I’ll grab a tshirt or something else. But I’m gonna leave my clothes here in a garbage bag and make room for things to bring home (unless they have a donation box somewhere? But they’ll be very dirty clothes…)
That’s all for now. Hope you enjoyed Spain.
What’s left: France (Nice), Switzerland (Geneva, Lucerne, Zurich), Germany (Munich, Berlin, and countryside for Castles!), and Italy (Milan, Udine, Venice, Florence, Pisa, Naples, Rome). And I have 90 minutes to make a connection in Canada on the way home, which I’m sensing may not work out based on what happened with my short connection time on the way here. So maybe I’ll have time to explore Toronto. Whoooo knows…23 days left, can’t believe it!
No comments:
Post a Comment