Advertisement
So on the 3rd, I had the Fantastic Four come by Madrid to visit me: Danny, Linda, Sharon, and Jimmy. Two days in Madrid to see whatever there is to see seemed like it would suffice but unfortunately, jet lag kicks into the weary travellers. Their hostel in the center of Madrid at the Puerta del SOL where we would have easy access to a lot of the city. Strolled by sites such as Palacio Real, Congress building, Gran Via (great shopping!!!! and I don't even like shopping--too bad we went at night when all stores were closed..haha), Callao, Chueca, Santiago Bernabeau for the Bernabeau stadium where the REAL MADRID futbol games take place and a tour of it, my too-much-construction-going-on neighborhood, Plaza Colon, Stussy store (haha!), etc. while having tapas of sandwich mixtos, tortilla espanolas de patatas, rodilla sandwiches, croquetas, jamon and more jamon.
Late Wednesday night we took the bus to Barcelona, a very comfortable 8 hour ride that passes by quickly.
As I first arrived in Barcelona, all I could think about was how it was going to be with the language barrier situation. Fortunately, a majority of the Catalan people do speak Castellano spanish and
that’s what I used. Lots of things were written in Catalan and I tried my best to get what I could out of the Spanish I knew, then the rest seemed like French. The city was dirtier as I had heard but that factor was so miniscule. Each day I was there, I fell in love more and more. The people were more laid back and relaxed. Barely anybody rushing to get up the escalators on the left side, but still, the option was open in case you did need to get somewhere quickly. The air was moist, not dry like Madrid, and I would take deep breaths constantly as I was taken away by the city. There was Barceloneta—the beach that was close by yet you still had your city filled with endless apartment and business buildings. Graffiti lined the street walls but it was nothing you wouldn’t want to take a picture of. It was never depressing because the drawings are filled with so many colors and it just adds to the personality of Barcelona.
Then there was the Park Guell, once a private property owned by someone who allowed Antoni Gaudi to construct what he wanted
in their plot of land. It was later bought by the city for whatever reason and is now open to the public with two houses in the front entrance and more colorful designs as you walk up the park and find yourself over the city. But could you imagine letting someone design what they want you’re your property? Allowing them the freedom to express themselves and years later, having it becoming a tourist attraction because no one else had the same imagination and followed through with it like him. There were also more buildings and houses constructed by Gaudi in the city like La Pedrera that I visited but was closed. It’s Gaudi’s most refined work because of the intricate ironwork around the balconies and irregularity of the front gate’s egg-shaped window panes.
But how could you forget the Sagrada Familia? La Sagrada Familia is a historic church that was never finished with only 8 out of the 18 towers standing. It is the world’s most visited construction site and still has no interior. It was built in the Catalan Renaissances during the 19th century in l’Eixample which was supposed to be a new neighborhood for people of all
social classes but was a playground for the bourgeois.
We stayed at Barcelona Dream Hostel, taking over most of the room since it was only a 6 bed dorm and we usually just had one other person who slept during the night. The first two nights we went to La Paloma (c/Tigre) and Razzmatazz, yes, just like the Jamba Juice smoothie. The staff was extremely nice and helpful with whatever trouble we had and it was a dorm-like environment. It was in Las Ramblas area and near the Monument a Colom (Colombus figure pointing towards Libya). Las Ramblas was a strip lined with palm trees, shops, kiosks, and people selling beer (now illegal starting this year). A nice area to walk through and also has La Boqueria (Mercat de Sant Josep) which is a traditional Catalan market, like the farmer’s market back home, but a lot better. They even have fresh fruit juice that I had to try! Not once, but twice because not even Madrid has this. I wish that we had more open markets back home and fresh produce sold like how it used to be sold without having to enter a commercialized market, something more direct
and fresh.
In Barri Gotic, it’s the oldest part of the city with ancient cathedrals and palaces. I think the neighborhood here is also called Born. It has the Esglesia Catedral de la Santa Creu, which is one of Barcelona’s most recognizable and popular monuments. Placa Reail, similar to the Plaza Mayor, was also situated around the area. I love the palm trees in the placa (plaza) and all over the city, putting a little green makes it much better!
Around Born was La Ribera which is the bohemian area and has art galleries, eateries, and bars. We went to the Museu Picasso (Picasso Museum) where some of his literary works were put on display. Apparently, he moved a lot between Barcelona and Paris and was not only a painter, but also an author, poet, sculptor, and everything! A couple days later, I passed by this area again to find the Palau de la Musica Catalana, a concert venue with stained-glass windows that is probably a must-see inside. Next time I come to Barcelona, I’ll also have to stop by the chocolate museum (nts: www.museudelaxocolata.com)
Stayed a couple days more as the others went to Rome, and
though I wish I had gone with them, I’m also glad to have stayed in Barcelona longer. Also made my way to Tibidabo, the top of the city, I went about half-way up the hill where you can see all of the city and how gorgeous it is. Earlier that day, I was at the other end of the city, sitting in front of the MNAC (Museu Nacional Arte Contemporanea—Contemporary Art Museum..whew..haha) as I looked out over to the other end. I really can’t describe how amazing the city is and pictures don’t even do it justice, especially during the night when all the lights are on and the city is alive.
You can bet I'm definitely thinking of living here! 😉
Advertisement
Tot: 0.109s; Tpl: 0.013s; cc: 7; qc: 44; dbt: 0.0602s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb