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Published: December 9th 2005
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La Sagrada Familia
Designed by Gaudí, and still under construction after one hundred years, it is the most famous building in Barcelona. Hello Reader.
The following day Nicolas and I decided to be tourists and go see La Sagrada Familia. The guide book describes it as a once-before-you-die kinda thing. It was cool, still under construction after over a hundred years, and will probably still be a hundred years from now. It was designed by the famous artist/architect Gaudí. I didn't go up into the structure. I split from Nick and he went for a haircut (which most people think I need) and I went to Güell Park, also designed by Gaudí. It was supposed to be an entire community but the project failed and this amazing park, with not one straight line in it, stands there still today. I walked around the park and watched the sunset over Barcelona.
Afterwards I went back to the hostel and spoke with our two new roommates from England. I grabbed a shower and Nicolas and I went to the train station to make reservations for the following day. He was leaving in the morning for Seville so he wanted to make sure that he didn't have to worry about it in the morning. I wanted to see the Picasso Museum and leave around
Güell Park Ceiling
Only a small glimpse of the park, covered in mosaic tiles and fluid structure. four pm for Valencia, so I held off buying it until the following day, because of course it wouldn't be sold out. We then went to the Travel Bar for more free food of which there was none. No time to eat anyways, I had to get to the theater thirty minutes early to ensure I got in to see the movie... too bad that didn't help, it sold out again. Distraught, I became hungrier. I stopped at a store and got some bread, meat, cheese, and cucumbers (my new favorite sandwich compliment) and went home to read and make sandwiches until I fell asleep.
Nick left around seven the next morning. He woke me to say goodbye. I told him I'd see him again and asked him if he was sure he packed everything before leaving... he said yes, (but I later found his heavy-ass Dr.Martins that I now have to carry around with me until I see him again). I went back to sleep, somber.
The Picasso Museum was great, and only a short walk from where I was staying. The staff was rude, (a guy shook his finger at me for squatting in front of
Güell Park Overlook
One can see almost all of Barcelona from this overlook. a picture for a second, two guards were practically yelling at eachother from one end of the museum to the other, and one lady sitting in the corner of gallery was using her cell phone.) But the history and pictures were interesting. I hadn't really appriciated a lot of Picasso's work until I was able to see his progression and evolution of art. It made it even better to know that I was standing in a place where my father stood over thirty years ago. It was like we connected through time, like that movie Frequency, except, you know, Dennis Quaid is played by my dad.
I showered, packed, and headed to the train station to be an hour early. Wouldn't you know it, the four o'clock sold out like Harry Potter. I could take the next train at six thirty, but it wouldn't get in until after ten thirty pm. I decided to reserve a train for the following morning that was eleven euro cheaper and stay in the hostel for thirteen euro... that way, I could make sure that I caught the movie. So that's what I did. Harry Potter was great, as everyone said it would
Sunset on Barcelona
The city around dusk. be. Afterwards, I chatted online to a friend and went back to the hostel...
I was so worried that I wouldn't wake up in time for the train at nine am, that I barely got any sleep. I made it to the train like forty-five minutes early so I could just find a seat and sleep until I got to Valencia, (five hour trip) but I only could sleep for three... I was too excited. The coutryside on the way was really unbelieveable. The ocean on one side, mountains and orange groves on the other.
I thought about how much I enjoyed Barcelona, and again, all the cool people I was able to meet. It's an interesting thing making friends in different cities... it always gives me a reason to come back. Barcelona can be compared to Boston. It's got plenty of history, good transportation, it's near the water, (although I don't think Boston is as close). All the advertisements are in Catalan, the language used by the locals. Catalan was actually trying to secede from Spain, but Spain's like 'No way', and stopped buying products from them. Then Catalan was like, 'Whatever dude, we're still going to
The Museo Picasso
My Dad stood in this exact spot, it still smells a little like him. speak Catalan.' And Spain was like, 'We don't care, it's practically Spanish anyways.'
Anyways, Barcelona was great. But my mind was racing as I approached Valencia. I hadn't been able to find a couchsurfer, but one e-mailed me back, Monica, (not the same one from Barcelona, I think) and told me about great hostel in the middle of the city. I arrived and walked out of the train station and into sixty-eight degree weather. Valencia boasts two hundred and niniety five days of sun. I caught one of those. I looked for and found the hostel. She was right, this place had been around forever and knew what people liked. It had it's own Spanish style and a cool open kitchen, a movie room and perfect location.
I checked in and met the manager, named Ben, that Monica had told me to see. We talked about Harry Potter and living and working in Valencia. He said he was looking for someone to start working in the hostel right away, but he really needed me to have a visa or work papers or something. Crap. I'll think about that later, for now I want to see the city.
So I went across the street for some cheap, but decent, paella. I couldn't see much, it was siesta. It's so different to see an entire city practically shut down from one pm until five pm. So I went back to read and fell asleep until nine, when I went to the internet cafe to chat. I received another e-mail from Monica saying that she can meet me at seven thirty the next night in the hostel. I slept a nice long sleep after such a long day and meeting my German roommate, who likes Valencia better than Berlin and Sevilla (though Sevilla is pretty nice, too).
Then woke up around noon and meandered my way through the city. The vast river-turned-garden is beautiful. I walked along it until I got to the museum of science, the museum of art, and the famous aquarium. The structures were breathtaking and I took some amazing pictures, I wish I had the patience to put them all on the blog. I was going to enter the aquarium, but it cost eighteen euro. And I was like... maybe if I dress up like a fish, they'd let me in for free. But I
The River Garden
This is only one small section of the vast garden that winds its way through Valencia. did not have it in my budget for today nor did I have a proper dorsal fin, so I picked up some stuff to cook for dinner and a bottle of cheap wine for Monica and I.
Tonight I will watch the sunset from a tower over the old town in Valencia. Ben told me I shouldn't miss it, so I won't. Tomorrow the beach and a Museum... and soon I want to camp out with my tent on a beach just a few kilometers from Valencia's beaches. So far, this city is really pulling me in.
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Benny
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Amunt Valencia!!
Valencia!!!!!! My lovely home away from home. I miss it so much!! Go to a street called Polo y Peyloron perpendicular to Blasco Ibanez for free-entrance discos where all the exchange students go out. Then when in the centro, find a bar called "Radio City" (yes, written in English) where on Tuesday nights for a 5E entrance fee you can see some of the most wonderful Flamenco performances performed by real travelling gypsies. To find an apartment (if you are staying a while), the place to look is on the lamposts close to la universidad politécnica. Get up early on Sunday morning and go beside the football stadium for a market with incredibly cheap deals. Once again if you are staying, then buy a bike here. They are all stolen, but nobody cares. Don't pay more than 25 Euro. For a cheap boat trip to Ibiza go to El Corte Inglés. For around 70E you get a full weekend package, although this time of the year it won't be so cool. Mercadona is the best supermarket in the city (and is everywhere). Don't call it Catalan, call it "Valenciano" when you hear the locals speak non-Spanish. For a day at the beach, pay a Euro for the train to the next town outside of the city (the Valencia beach isn't so clean). You might be able to get into the Warhol and Woody's discos if you tell the bouncers that you know me, but they probably have changed staff since I left. Don't worry about getting taxis home if you're out late, they are really cheap in Valencia. Um... what else... if I think of something else I'll tell you!! Enjoy the city - ah yes, if you happen to meet any interns from the IAESTE organisation (it's big in Valencia) tell them you know me and they'll invite you out to their parties. I'm not ever Benny, but "Bennyfoto" by the way. OK enjoy the city, ask me if you need any advice and have fun with Monica!! Tell her I said "Amunt Valencia"!! Hasta luego, Benny