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Published: September 24th 2014
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Barcelona was by far our favourite city so far! We loved the people, food, language, architecture, shopping, atmosphere - everything!!
Went all out Spanish on our first night - tapas, sangria and paella. Our eyes were bigger than our stomachs (again) and we were unable to finish everything. Back to the hotel for a bit of an early night, to ready ourselves for a day of site-seeing. There were 3 English speaking channels on our television, all running 24 hour news 😞
So we ended up watching Italy's version of The Amazing Race - was actually quite enjoyable even thought we didn't understand anything they were saying. Breaky at the hotel then straight on the metro for our first visit, to Park Güell. (One of many sites in Barcelona exhibiting work by the famous Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí - he had a unique style with amazing, intricate structural and aesthetic design. We obviously aren't experts on this stuff but we think his work is beautiful)
On our way up the hill to Park Güell, we stopped in a little shop - I was buying some jewellery and conversing with the attendant in Spanish (only the basics...hello, I would like, please, thanks).
I must've done alright because she asked me if I speak Spanish!! 😊
Actually been pretty chuffed with how we've managed to communicate so far on the trip and also navigate the cities - helps when there's well mapped and well signed metro systems. Also makes it easy to deal with money when most countries are on the euro - finally getting used to what the coins represent without having to turn each one over and read it. Although we do get a bit confused at times and say oui instead of si, or merci instead of gracias - when in France I kept saying things in English and then in Spain I kept saying things in French!! By the time we've done Italy, Croatia and Germany, we'll end up speaking with a weird mish-mash of language and accent 😊 😊
After walking around beautiful Park Güell for a couple of hours, we set off to find a specific tapas place that was recommended by our Lonely Planet guide (called La Panxa del Bisbe) - we usually don't have high expectations for eateries noted in these guides, but they sure got it right this time!! We had the most AMAZING
tapas ever - was on par with the best foodie food in Melb!!
Next stop was a visit to La Catedral in the La Rambla area of Barcelona - nice and close to where we were staying. From there we walked down to the port and back up La Rambla, looking at market stalls on our way.
Absolutely exhausted after a big day out and about, we relaxed in our hotel room, intent of heading out later for some dinner. But these two weary travellers could not be bothered moving from their beds. Still quite satisfied from our amazing lunch, we watched The Simpsons in Spanish and fell asleep. (Note - Spanish Marge has the voice of a chain smoking, tequila drinking man!!)
Day two started later than planned - Georgia made the mistake of putting me in charge of setting the alarm, so we slept in. (I did set it but hit the snooze button for a couple of hours)
Made our way out to La Sagrada Familia but decided not to go inside due to crazy long queues. (We had limited time as we needed to be at the airport by 4pm for our flight to Nice)
Took
a leisurely stroll in the Passeig de Gràcia area where the Barcelona La Mercè Festival was in full swing (festival held in honour of Mare de Deu de la Mercè, the Patron Saint of Barcelona). Then up the road to visit another Gaudí masterpiece - Casa Batlló (an extra-ordinary apartment building).
After that we only had an hour to eat some lunch, get back to the hotel and jump in a taxi. Both of us had our cranky pants on - hungry, tired and disappointed to be leaving Barcelona. The cranky pants seemed to stick with me right up until we got on the plane...been struggling a bit with 'tourist rage'! Of course Georgia finds it very amusing to watch me get increasingly annoyed with people doing rude, inconsiderate things around me. Her laughing actually helps to calm me down and see the lighter side. Keep forgetting... I'm on holidays!!! Yay 😊 😊
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