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Published: March 13th 2009
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We got filmed for the Barcelona TV News!!!
Before I begin this entry, I forgot to give a shout-out last time to my cousin Robbie K, whose birthday was on March 7th. (His name is actually Robert and probably won't find my nickname funny, but I do). So Happy Belated Birthday!!!
Welcome back to Barcelona Part Dos:
Preview: The pickpocket story, more ridiculous language barrier stories, tourists thinking I was a local, meeting up with some SU friends, and meeting a lovely gentleman who lived in San Francisco for 8 years.
Sunday began with what else, but the beach! Passing all the bundled-up locals, Tara and I made our way to the sand to soak in the rays. After staying there for a few hours, it was time to become a tourist. We headed over the famous Sagrada Familia (which, by honest mistake, I kept calling Sangria Familia...go figure). It is a massive Roman Catholic Church that began construction in 1882 and is still going on today. The planned completion time is 2017. We entered with a student discount, and explored the unique architectural designs of Antoni Gaudi. The
thought process he had when designing parts of this building are unbelievable and extremely fascinating.
Ok now that you are probably bored...here is where my false identity was almost blown. We decided to try a Chilean restaurant after the Sangria building. As we were paying the check, the owner asked where I was from. Being "Bradley from San Francisco", I answered California. "Oh, what part?" he responds. I say "San Francisco." And then it happened...I dreaded the moment, never thinking it was actually going to happen. He then says: "No way! I lived there for 8 years!" CRAP. "What part do you live in?" (at this point I'm starting to sweat more than Jim Boeheim at last night's 6 over-time Cuse victory) "Umm, its right on the southern part, right below the main city" He then names a part of the of the area, and trying to end this as quickly as possible I say "Yep". "Oh that's a really nice area, I used to work near there at INSERT HIS PLACE OF WORK HERE." "Yep, I know it" I respond, then quickly say goodbye and head out. WHEW that was close..
On the way back we saw
some more of Gaudi's work, and then walked around the main town again. Purchasing some souvenirs for us and some lucky others.
Then it was one of my favorites....CASINO TIME! We had a pass to get into the casino for free (they actually charge) and 2 free glasses of wine. So of course...we went. The blackjack tables were calling my name, and when my stack of chips grew to plus 60 Euro, I said "peace" (in my head) left the table, cashed out, got my free glass of wine, and left. If you think about it...the casino technically paid me 60 Euro to drink the glass of wine. Not a bad life.
We took the metro home to get ready for dinner and our night out....when the incident occurred. I was on an escalator going up to where we had to transfer lines. All of a sudden a man squeezed his way in between me and the guy next me. I looked over and saw the man that was originally next to me carefully unzipping the woman's bag in front him. He was slipping his fingers in fishing for her wallet. The man squeezed in between us had
his hands in his jacket pockets, spread out his jacket causing a visual blockade to what his partner was doing. I thought about saying something until I made eye contact with the guy who squeezed his way in. He knew I saw. It was at the moment I made the decision that the random's woman wallet was not worth my life. I had no idea what kind of weapon he might be concealing, and there were two of them....and one of me. You think you might have done something differently, but once you in the situation, it all changes. I just looked the other way and walked extremely fast away from them at the top of the escalator. It was a good wake-up call to be extra extra careful about my stuff. I later saw the same woman holding her purse in front of her clutching it closely. I assume since she was still out and about and not with the police reporting anything, that the two guys didn't get what they wanted.
At dinner we had another language barrier issue. Tara was ordering the chicken dish, and called it "Pole-o". In Spanish, chicken is spelled "Pollo" and pronounce
"Poyo". The guy got confused but when Tara pointed to the picture he understood. I decided to try and speak the man's language. So I ordered "Poyo". When the food came out...Tara got her chicken, I got paella.
We had a great night out.
Funny story!!!: The next day consisted of more beach, going to a market (where they had a great fresh coconut pieces), and a few landmarks. When we got to a famous building that is known for the lights on it, we found it wasn't lit up. I said to guard out side "Hablas Ingleis?" (Do you speak English). "No, no." He says. I then say "When....building (pointing to it)....light up (flicking my hands as if I was drying off water)" He responds...."Oh, only on the weekends." (No English huh?)
Then at night we meet up with some SU friends. We saw Jocelyn, Steph, Hannah, and Jimmy. It was great to see all them. All but Jimmy are in the London Program, and Jimmy flew out for Spring Break. We had fun but were pretty tired, so Tara and I headed home to an early sleep (2:30 am).
ALMOST DONE...I PROMISE
The
following day we beached it in the morning. While we were there, a camera crew came up to us. Filmed us tanning, then asked me questions about protection against the sun and why I wasn't using any. They probably made fun of me on the news. Oh well, its not like I would understand it. Then we headed the Olympic grounds of the 1992 Summer Olympic Games. The sites were very cool, but the stadium was a lot smaller than I would have imagined. Either way, it was really exciting to walk around and explore where the games took place.
We also found a park called Cascada!!! For those of you who know me....it was very very cool!
As we were walking, a group of 4 elder Brits came up to me and a woman says "Ummm Donde......el.....Metro....estacion" She was trying to ask where the metro station was. I was sooo excited that she thought I was tan enough to be Spanish!!! I replied "Oh, its right over there" and pointed. She look confused when my American accent came out, smiled, and said "Thank you"
Then at dinner Tara asked the waitress for "Agua". She says "I
speak English, you want water?" Tara nodded her head and then I ordered a Corona. When the waitress came back, tara got her water, I got Coke. (Does the pattern sound familiar?)
That night we met up with some more Syracuse friends. Our good friends Eva, Lauren, and Matt. Tara and I hung out them and their friends, whom we knew and became closer with that night. Eva and Lauren are studying in London, and Matt took the trip abroad during his break. We had a great night with them and truly made the most out of our last night in Barcelona!!!
Our last day we visited some last minute sites, headed to the airport, and flew RyanAir home. No problem this time. Although when I went to the bathroom and closed the door, the fasten seat belt sign came on....only me.
Thank you for sticking around to hear about my trip!!!
Time for bed as Michael arrives early in the morning.
BIRTHDAY COUNTDOWN: 2 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Trivia Answer: The Kingdom of Spain
Trivia Question: What are the official colors of the FCBarcelona Team?
Londoner,
Sir Darren Nigel Goldberg III of Maida Vale
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Bring Em On
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i wish you could comment on pictures on this thing but i'll just do it here. under the "THE PARK NAMED CASCADA!!!!" picture my comment would be..."spotted...Man Capris!!!!"