Barcelona memories

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So I did it. I finally traveled to Spain for a brief, yet unforgettable long-weekend trip. Lessons learned. Good times. Elite status through February 2008. Met new people. Different cultures. C'est la vie. Asi es la vida. That's life. Did you know Catalan is the language mostly spoken in Barcelona? A combo of Spanish and French as far as I can tell.

My visit to Barcelona was half as crazy as my trip to Hong Kong in December 2002. 16 total flight hours vs. 32 in 2002. 3 nights/4 days stay in a hotel near La Rambla vs. 14 hours stay/2 hours nap at the Sheraton Kowloon. Pickpocketed for only US$260 and change vs. getting ripped off for at least US$1000 at a Queensland camera shop. Alas, in both cases, I succeeded with earning the usual status symbol/intangible benefit thru Continental for the new year. Was it worth it?

I will at some point learn to travel without getting duped, but I had a great time in Barcelona traveling with one of my colleagues. He also got picked. Good thing a couple of our other colleagues bailed at the last minute; perhaps, they would have also lost something.

Yet, I had a lot of fun. We had no trouble adjusting to the change in time zone. 6 hours ahead. We checked-in as soon as we arrived in this awesome city and crashed for about 7 hours. Strolled through the tourist-heavy La Rambla, a short distance from the hotel, and saw many street performers entertaining the crowds and eccentric vendors with their unusual, yet popular pet kiosks selling canaries, squirrels, baby turtles, chinchillas, and some other pretty wild stuff. Meanwhile, while walking through Parc Guell and along the Diagonal neighborhood, we saw home-raised (didn't look stray) cats roaming. Go figure.

Next night, we hit an Irish pub and I chat up one of the bartenders. I learn later that her name is Helen. Born and raised in Northern England. Dead-ringer for Natalie Portman. Recently graduated with a degree in physical therapy and wants to travel/work around the world while she's young. Hmmm... sound familiar?

Prior to the trip, my friends and colleagues all told me about Gaudi and his artistic influence over Barcelona. Toward the end of our stay, I visited most of his creations... Sagrada Familia (awesome), Parc Guell (beautiful), Casa Batllo (cool). While I'm more attracted to the nightlife and entertainment to new cities I visit, I'd have to say Barcelona floored me as much as my trip to Paris, Montpellier (so. France) and Antwerpen in 2001. It was just so darn cool.

The food left a little (or much) to be desired. Our initial experiences with the tapas were underwhelming and influenced us to spend most of our time at the English and Irish pubs where we were more comfortable. Our first tapas tasted okay, but weren't made fresh. Rather, they were microwaved. Obviously, I need to do my research next time around to find better spots. On a positive note, I enjoyed my Mediterranean meal of monkfish medallions, white asparagus tips, and red wine at Attic, off La Rambla. Next time I visit Barcelona, I will be sure to sample lots of fresh tapas, paella, and cava.

For anyone who plans to travel to a Euro-using country, note that you don't need to bring dollars with you. Bring your no-fee debit card (think Commerce Bank) and you can withdraw Euros at the ATM. Enough said. More stamps in my passport. Yay for me!!!

Bon dia.
(Catalan for 'Good day')

Feliz Navidad!
Maligayang Pasko!
Joyeux Noel!
Frohe Weihnacten!
Merry Christmas!

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Photos

Inside the Sagrada Familia
Ceiling-in-progress...

Me at Parc Guell
with backdrop of hazy Barcelona skyline

Comments

[Johny]

Hello...
Hey Manny...looking forward to hearing about all your travels and experiences!

[FoodieFanatic]

Any suggestions?
Hi Manny (that's my Dad's name too), I am a single female and I am trying to decide if I should travel to either Spain or Italy this summer. I am itchy to leave the US and get out for some adventure. I am big into food, wine, adventure. Do you have any suggestions regarding Barcelona? Have you been to Italy? Advice as to how not to get pick pocketed? I'm thinking you've come up w/ a new packing method by now. Thanks!

[14 Hours in Hong Kong]

Barcelona suggestions
Hi Margaret! I'm sure both countries would be wonderful to visit during the summer, though I've never been to Italy. To avoid being pickpocketed, don't carry a lot of cash and use your hotel room safe, if applicable, regardless of how trusting the staff appears to be. If you opt for Barcelona, try visiting the Ciuta Viella and Eixample areas for fresh, tasty tapas and cava. My friends had recommended such for my next visit. La Rambla is very popular with the tourists, but dining options are more expensive and less diverse; it does, however, offer Irish and English pubs as a comfort zone if you'd like to share your stories and adventures with other English-speaking visitors. Have fun with whatever you ultimately choose to do!