3-day Weekend in Barcelona

Hi all!!!!

What can I say about Barcelona? It is an incredible city! Our trip started out on Thursday evening when we (Monica, Caitlin, and I) walked down to the metro stop closest to us (Circo Massimo) in the rain, it was so much fun walking down the Aventine Hill in the rain with my weekend bag (Le Sportsac with little puppies, kittens, and ducks all over it), my purse, and my bright yellow umbrella... to say the least we, or rather I, could not have looked any more like an American college student if I tried. The Metro system in Roma, though small.. is very complicated. There are no clear signs and we could not figure out which was the best way to get to Flumicino Airoporto. Finally we got to the main train terminal Termini, but there was not a single sign that could direct us to the airport. We found some younger looking people who had a large rolley bag and clearly looked like they were on rout to the airport. They spoke broken English and said to follow them. We walked for about 10 minutes around the maze that is Termini train station and finally got to the platform, but were told our metro passes did not work for the Leonardo Da Vinci Express Train to the airport. So... we were told we had to purchase tickets through this machine, but it kept saying not a valid tariff! So frustrating because these machines when you ask them to change to English from Italian they really get even worse! Eventually a man felt bad for us and helped us. Once the train came we gave a huge sigh of relief!
The airport check-in process was the easiest thing imaginable. I handed over my passport and she gave me my ticket and walked to security where I did not have to take my sneakers off or take out my liquids, so lax compared to the ridiculous facade of security that we have in America. Upon arriving to our gate we found the other kids from our program who were going to Barcelona as well and sat down. It was really quite amusing how the entire flight was American Trinity/Rome Campus students. Our plane landed in Barcelona and I had officially been to another country (That's my 3rd country ever including the US of A)!!!!! It is interesting how the tarmac system works there we landed and a shuttle bus picked us all up right at the foot of the stairs (this was the same way going back to Roma when we boarded our plane on the tarmac). Anyways, I wanted to get a stamp in my passport, but when traveling within the EU you do not go through customs so no one was able to do it for me. Andrew was there waiting for us and we all hopped in a cab to the apartment that we had rented for the weekend. We only had the address and had no idea where in Barcelona is was actually located in so all we could do was give the taxi driver the address and hope that the apartment was somewhat near the city center. We got to the apartment around 12:15 a.m. and it was dark and no one was around so we had no idea where in the city we were. The woman who waited in the apartment for us to give us the key spoke very poor English and said something about Gaudi's cathedral when I asked her where we were, but she showed us on a map and it looked like we were really far away from the city center... But alas we were in Barcelona and I was not going to complain, after all the apartment was clean and I had my own relatively comfortable bed and a bathroom with an actual separated shower (nice change from the water closet in the convent). We woke up in the morning to a wonderful surprise! Not only were we near Gaudi's cathedral, but also we could see it (it was practically right across the street) from our balcony! For breakfast we went into this little pastry shop and the woman gave us free cookies in addition to our pastries. We then walked to the cathedral and went inside. The stained glass in this cathedral is unlike any stained glass you have ever seen, such brilliant colors and an incredible design. After wandering around the cathedral for a while we headed towards Las Ramblas (the main street in Barcelona for shopping and sightseeing, etc..). On the way we walked by Gaudi's famous loft and went inside. We got those really cool tourist thingies that you hold to your ear and it is like your own tour guide. However, unlike a normal tour guide this one was hilarious! We would enter a room and it would say (in a very deep voice) "Prepare to enter the most extraordinary room you will ever enter into in your entire life." It also said, "Even the most skeptical person of architecture will find this to be perfect." So in between fits of laughter we managed to see some pretty incredible things in the loft. The roof was really neat; there were chimneys and other roofs that looked like they belonged in Dr. Seuss Land!
By the time we left the loft we were starving so we found this place called No!No! and sat down. I had the most incredible salmon with a delectable balsamic glaze and homemade mashed potatoes. Now be careful when you go to places in Barcelona, or rather in Europe as a whole. The waiter at the beginning of our meal gave us a breadbasket and some Spanish olives. Well... when we received our check they charged us for the bread and olives! We were a little ticked off at this, but it was okay. After a lot more walking we headed back towards the apartment. Here, I showered and got into my pj's and embraced the culture and took a very well needed siesta! We then showered drank some wine and some champagne and headed out to dinner. We found this great place on Las Ramblas and Caitlin and I shared the most incredible paella known to man! After dinner we walked around the bar area and ran into some kids from the program. We hung out with them for a bit and at around 2:00 a.m. we headed back to the apartment. Saturday, I awoke to the wonderful sound of rain on the windows and some rumbling thunder. We waited for the storm to pass and then headed towards Park Guell, another one of Gaudi's masterpieces. This park was very Seusical and Disney like! It was really cool to walk around and look at the amazing rock pieces and structures. There was also this man dressed in old English attire playing the cello. We left Park Guell and headed back towards the city center where we were determined to find the supposed best Mexican restaurant in Europe. Finally we did fine the place and oh how nice it was to finally eat some beans! I was in absolute heaven. When we were filled to the brim we walked to the Gothic Cathedral and went inside. Here, I lit two candles for family and friends and enjoyed the beautiful cathedral. I took many photos and I was really just in awe. It was already late afternoon by this time and we all agreed that we wanted a home cooked meal so we went to the supermarket and purchased supplies for fabulous grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches! They were absolutely delectable. By the time we had eaten and showered we decided that we were too tired to go out so we just hung around the apartment for the rest of the night. Then...! I received a phone call from my sister to hear that she was just proposed to and is now engaged! I am so excited for both her and my eventual brother-in-law! Yay for being the maid of honor! Anyways, the next morning we woke up and headed back to Roma. It was actually nice to get back to my own space. My room feels a lot more like home. Also, I am really enjoying my Art in Rome class and I look forward to our various tours that we go on every Tuesday for it. Well I am tired and a little homesick, but nothing I can't handle. I hope everyone over in America is doing well. I miss and love you all.

Multo Amore,
Olivia

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