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Published: September 8th 2010
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Ahhhh after five long years since I had last been in Spain (Madrid 2005 study abroad) I finally returned, and realized instantly that if I could live anywhere in the world besides the US, Spain would be my top pick! During my time abroad in Spain, although I made it to Toledo, Cordoba, Sevilla, Granada and of course Madrid I somehow never made it to Barcelona- so I was super excited about the trip! (and also so sick of hearing "how did you study abroad in Spain and not make it to Barcelona?!?!?!")
I had high expectations for the trip and espana did not let me down!!! I went with two other co rowkers, and we flew EasyJet (not a great experience- no assigned seats, weight limit on the baggage) from Geneva to Barcelona- (oh the flight attendant also yelled at me for having my feet up on the seat! that was a first) After arriving around 9 pm we checked in at the Hotel Granvia- the staff there was awesome, location great, rooms not so great, but hey we only used the rooms for sleeping so it was no big deal. After arriving we had two things on our
minds- 1. Tapas and 2. Sangria!!! We were so hungry as we wondered down the famous (and tourist packed) las ramblas, and we made the biggest mistake an experience traveller could ever make- ( I almost dont want to admit this!) but we stopped at the first restaurnat we saw on las ramblas with all english menu and a guy flagging us down on the street- SUPER touristy!! Normally we dont fall into that trap, but I think our hungry stomachs and our determination for tapas and sangria beat out our travellers logic we usually use. We ordered around 5 tapas, and let me tell you, I get better tapas at the restaurant "Barcelona" in West Hartford, CT then I had there! The albondigas were still cold, (well half heated i guess) the patatas bravas were really smushy, the shrimp had some creepy bones in it, the pan tomato was mushy and gross - blah bad experience!!!! (sangria wasnt too bad though!!) We were all so disappointed that we didnt even eat anymore, just went to another bar (an irish bar go figure) and had some caiporaskas before calling it a nite- we had a big day planned ahead!
Whatever disappointment we had on Friday nite was completely washed away and forgotten the rest of the weekend. We met at 930 am on saturday (much to my dismay but my coworkers over ruled me) and went on the hop- on hop- off bus. We did a huge tour of the city- starting off with the cathedral, then the palace, olympic stadium etc. We "hopped off" by the pier and had lunch and (more) sangria on the water. The weather was so perfect and the sky soo blue!! We then continued on the bus to la Sagrada Familia which is a huge church created by Gaudi and it was fascinating!!! sooo beautiful!!! (see pics!) We ddin't go inside though because the line was probably 45 minutes wait and as bad as this sounds, I have been inside so many churches throughout Europe and it's just not the highlights for me.
We then went up to Park Guell, which is a park in Barcelona with designs by Gaudi that was unlike any other park i had ever been to! the statues, buildings, steps etc were all so unique! There were a bunch of musicians dancing and playing music (spanish hippies!)
that were really fun to watch. When you reach the top of the park there is an amazing view of the whole city!!! (pics!!) It was a def must see in Barcelona!!! At this point though, it was now 5 pm and we were super hot (the walk to the park is all uphill!) and needed a rest- so we took the bus back to the hotel to rest before dinner!
Our meal on Saturday nite definetly made up for Friday's disaster! We had pre dinner tapas at a restaurant by the hotel called Xtapa, it was sooo good!! Then we had dinner at Torre Alta del Mar- a huge tower restaurant that over looks the whole city! It was delicious, service was great and the wine even better! very highly recommended!!!! (it was also cheaper then any meal we had in switzerland even though it was one of the best!) After this we went to a beach side bar right on the water which was awesome as well!!!! Didn't make it to the big Barcelona clubs though- maybe I am starting to get too old for that!! 😊
Sunday was my favorite day of the trip- We
woke up and did our own things in the morning (we all had different agendas) So I decided to walk the full length of Las Ramblas. What a funny place, with people dressed in costumes, as statues, as table settings I mean every strange costume you can think of! Major tourist trap but it is pretty funny. After the walk down I found a beach bar and had lunch right on the water and wrote out some postcards, read my kindle. Then went down to the beach where I met my other two co-workers. I must say the Barcelona beaches are the one thing that puts Barcelona ahead of Madrid as favorite cities in Europe in my mind. The weather was perfect, people walk around and sell 1.50 euro Cervezas (you cant beat that!!) the mediterranean sea water is a beautiful bluish green and its soo warm!! I was in my complete happy zone on the beach!! There was also "interesting" scenery as clothes are not required on the beach (as with many European beaches) of course the majority of people do have clotehs on, but we definetly saw some sights we did not want to see!! It is funny
how little shame some people have but i guess more power to them right??
Unfortunately the day and the trip had to end and we had to pack up and leave Barcelona and head back to Geneva. I did not have enough and I want to go back as soon as possible!! It has also inspired me to take spanish lessons, as I can speak spanish but it is something I would like to improve. Although in my previous entry, I called Switzerland a Utopia, I have to say that Barcelona is the perfect place for me! Friendly people, sunny, beaches, good food (as long as its not touristy) sangria and wine, fun atmosphere, big city- in my mind it has it all!!! Hopefully I can make it there again soon!!
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Spanish Ties
I'm not surprised you loved it so much. I remember picking you up from the JFK airport after your abroad experience in Spain. You were so sad to be back in the US and I remember you saying you wanted to live in Spain. Glad you enjoyed Barcelona ~ perhaps that's the next vacation destination for you! Love you!