You take photo of me, I take photo of you?

I guess I didn´t really explain why I came to Barcelona of all places. Most of you probably know, but just in case some don´t, here it is. In the fall of 2002 I came here with my classmates (about 25 of us) from the University of Calgary to study planning and architecture for a semester. We all lived here for 4 months and I had an apartment with 3 girl friends. We got to know the city quite well - after 4 months it felt quite like home. It was an amazing time and an experience I´ll always cherish. So I wanted to come back and see the city again.

THURSDAY
Today was another great day! In the morning I walked around the gothic quarter a little more and up La Rambla again. I heard that the people of Barcelona were taught that you would be in good health if you walked up and down that street every day. I guess it would be about a mile one way. Checked out the market (Mercat de la Boqueria), the Cathedral (one of my favourite sights) and took tonnes of photos. This part of the city is around 2,000 years old - I just love all the history and narrow streets. Everywhere you look in this part of the city is a photo op.

Took the tourist bus (Bus Turistic) around the city all afternoon. My feet are thanking me! It´s a pretty convenient way to see just about every major attraction. I skipped many of the stops because I´d seen most places before, but I did get off to see Park Güell, one of Antonio Gaudi´s creations. Gaudi is the same architect that designed the Sagrada Familia (which I didn´t stop at this time because the crowds were huge!). Park Güell is a gorgeous park in the hills at the north end of the city adorned with colourful tile mosaics. It also gives you great views of the city to the Mediterranean Sea. There were a lot of people there - I definitely don´t remember it being this busy when I was here last.

Surprisingly, I also stopped off at Poble Espanyol which is a ¨village¨re-created in 1929 (for the World Fair I believe) in various types of Spanish architecture. I guess I felt I hadn´t really seen it 7 years ago and I wanted to see all the artist shops inside. Bought a gorgeous painting (shhh don´t tell Brad!) and enjoyed wandering around.

Right now I am starving and super pumped about tapas and sangria for supper!


FRIDAY
I was feeling very nostaligic today as I know it´s my last day here. I know when I left 7 years ago I felt sad but knew I would return one day. Today though, I almost felt like crying because I honestly can´t say for sure that I´ll be back. I took enough photos that I can look at anytime just in case.

I started off the day bright and early, heading straight to Sagrada Familia before breakfast. Yes, I said BEFORE breakfast! Those that know me really well know I simply cannot function without food first thing in the morning. That´s how badly I wanted to avoid the crowds! And it paid off. I was able to enjoy it without billions of people breathing on me. This cathedral is still under construction - has been for the last 120 some odd years (the only cathedral in construction in the world today apparently) and they appeared to have made some pretty good progress in the last 7 years. Great views of the city from the towers! I took the lift up but climbing down the narrow spiral staircases was a little scary.

Next stop was the beach.... a place I spent a lot of time at when I lived here. Wasn´t exactly a tanning day (guess I didn´t need to pack my swimsuit - wishful thinking I guess) but still so nice to sit and read and watch the sea. A Spanish gentleman approached me and we chatted a bit - which was a little interesting because he spoke very little English and I speak very little Spanish. haha

Lots and lots and lots of walking..... owwww my feet! Walked around La Ribera and Barri Gotic, just taking it all in. Late supper in a little street cafe near the Cathedral - one of my favourite areas. And some shopping - more like window shopping though. This is one of the great must do´s while in Barcelona - walking around in the evening and shopping.

Last thing I did was go watch the Magic Fountain (the fountain does a pretty awesome music and light show) and do a last wander around the Plaça Espanya area. What a great way to end my stay here!

I feel like I´m forgetting a lot but you really have to see the city for yourselves if I´ve piqued your interest at all. Got to make sure I´m up early for my flight to Warsaw tomorrow. I´ve never been to Poland before. Very excited to see a new country and see Luiza and Bartek!

Things I like about Barcelona:
- zillions of opportunities for photographs
- the architecture
- street art
- siesta time (if you want to take a nap at that time)
- narrow pedestrian streets in the Gothic quarter
- shopping everywhere
- turning a corner and always finding something new
- street performers (but not the ones on La Rambla)
- tapas
- subway system is great and trains run every 4-5 minutes

Things I forgot I didn´t like about Barcelona:
- gross smells wafting through the streets
- frizzy hair
- getting asked for money
- no real breakfasts
- keeping a vice grip on my purse at all times (pick pockets)
- siesta time (if you feel like going shopping at that time)

Things I just plain forgot and other random things:
- how much olive oil is used in the foods
- how much walking you do (even within the subway system)
- how good the breads are here though the rest of the food isn´t great
- people smoking everywhere (even in the subway)
- there used to be internet cafes everywhere but this time I only saw 1 - though I wasn´t really looking for them
- less crime on La Rambla than there used to be - didn´t see any gypsies but saw lots of cops so perhaps they´re cracking down
- Spanish time is flexible

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Part of trip: Europe Nov 2009

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