Barcelona

On Thursday, August 20 we (Emily, Sara, Carol, and I) left at 4am for the airport. We got to Barcelona around 10am and immediately took the bus to Placa de Catalunya and walked to the hostel from there. We checked in at the hostel and got our beach stuff out and ready. We packed up and left to go meet some of our UC friends (Adam, Andrew, Kyle) at their hostel on the beach.

We walked down La Rambla, which is CRAZY! So much going on, so many people, and weird people doing tricks and selling strange things. On the way, we walked into Marcat de la Boqueria (Sant Josep) and got smoothies. This market was HUGE and had some of the nastiest cuts of raw meat. But the fresh fruit was awesome! We continued our walk along Port Vell until we got to the tip, which is where the boys were staying. Their hostel literally walked out onto sand.

We had lunch and a beer with the boys, and then went to lay out/sleep on the beach for a few hours. The beach was crazy busy! So many people, lots of topless women, people walking around selling stuff, and wanting to massage you. Barcelona was HOT- at least 95, and the sand was unbearably hot to walk on. The water felt amazing, but it was SO salty.

After a few hours of sun we walked back to the hostel, through La Rambla again. We made dinner reservations at The Attic, which was recommended by a friend. At the hostel we showered and got ready for dinner, Then we went to The Attic, on La Rambla, and had a really yummy meal. After dinner we went back to the hostel to meet up with some people we met before we went out. We stayed and drank a little at the hostel and finally headed out to this bar called Dow Jones. It was all based on the stock market, and the cost of drinks changed throughout the night depending on supply and demand. Kind of a cool concept. We didn’t stay too long because everyone was tired, but it was fun!

Friday we woke up and got ready. We met Caroline and Kate at the hostel around 11am. We walked to this “amazing” lunch place- but it was closed because the owners were on Holiday. So frustrating. So we decided to go ahead and go to Montjuic to the Fundacio Joan Miro museum (a famous Spanish artist) and try to find something eat there. All we could find was nasty expensive sandwiches, but we were desperate.. After the museum we took the Metro back to Barceloneta beach. We laid on the beach for a few hours, got margaritas, and enjoyed the sun.

On the way home we walked back through La Rambla, stopping at Marcat de la Boqueria (Sant Josep) again and got smoothies and candy. We went back to the hostel to shower and get ready for dinner. Then we went to dinner at Cerveceria Catalana, and got delicious tapas, sangria, and dessert. After dinner we went to this shot bar, that had a selection of over 300 shots! We each just got one, and then headed home to try to get some sleep.

Saturday was out sightseeing day. Because we wanted several days on the beach, we figured we would cram all the sightseeing into one day. So we started early, got pastries from a bakery around the corner from our hostel and began the day! We toured Casa Batilo, which was an amazing Gaudi masterpiece. If you don’t know who Gaudi is- google him. He is awesome. His style is so unique, but he has made such an amazing contribution to architecture. Next we toured La Pedrera apartment complex and roof, another Gaudi building. Then we went to Sagrada Familia, which was absolutely amazing. I had no idea that it wasn’t even finished! Even despite the construction, it was beautiful. So different than all the other cathedrals we have seen. Too bad Gaudi died before finishing it. The East façade, the only façade he finished before his death, is astonishingly detailed. It looks like it is melting, and is so cool. All of Gaudi’s work makes me think that I am in Alice in Wonderland or some sort of fantasy world. It is so cool, fun, yet functional, and whimsical- I cannot even describe it.

After a morning full of Gaudi, we found this awesome lunch place called Barcelona crêperie. We had savory and sweet crêpes, which hit the spot! Next we went to the Palau de la Musica Catalana, but didn’t pay to get in. Then we toured Barcelona Cathedral, and went to the top to over look the city. Next we shopped at all the cute shops on the way to the Picasso Museum. We toured the Museu Picasso, and then toured Santa Maria del Mar, which had a beautiful rose window.

Next we went to the famous Park Guelle- another Gaudi contribution. The park was awesome, and well worth the hike up the hill! We sat on the benches and looked over the city for a while, and then headed back towards the hostel. The place we wanted to eat dinner wasn’t open yet, of course, so we went to this place and got Paella- a traditional Spanish dish, So good! Next we went back to the hostel to shower and get ready to go out

We went out with our hostel friends again, and one Australian said I looked like the actress Tara Reid, so the joke the whole night was that I was “Tour Guide Tara Reid” because I was the one with the map, leading everyone.

We went to this bar that was famous for having large drinks. Large is an understatement. We got 1 drink that was 13 liters of Sangria. It was HUGE! We just used a bunch of huge straws and drank away!

After the bar we went to this famous club, Opium. It was right on the beach, had like 5 different bars, a huge dance floor, and an outdoor area. We had a lot of fun.

We made it home in time to get a little sleep, and then we were back up the next morning to pack up, check out, and catch a train to Stiges Beach. It was 40 minutes away from Barcelona, and it was supposed to be one of the best beaches in Spain.—and it was! Much less touristy (you didn’t need to lay on top of your possessions for once), and the view was awesome. It was mostly a topless beach, which was interesting!

We got lunch at this tapas place right on the water, and layed out all day. It was amazing and so relaxing. In the late afternoon we headed back to Barcelona to shower, pack up, and head out. We had to take a bus to the Girona airport, and then on to London from there.

We got back home around 1am, and I had to finish my midterm that was due for my 11am class. So, I didn’t sleep much! I was too busy the week before trying to plan Barcelona that I unfortunately did not get my whole project finished like some of the other girls. Oh well. It was well worth it!

The midterm went well, and everyone was jealous of our Barcelona tans!

Barcelona was such a fun city. It was once again, unlike all the rest. It was really nice to be able to relax on the beach for once. All of our other trips have been so jam-packed. It was nice to have one full day of touristy activities, and we enjoyed the rest of the time relaxing!