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Published: September 19th 2006
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So I survived the trip back from Barcelona.
The train back was wonderful, it ran along the coast for a while and I even was surprised with a beautiful sunset.
We also had a movie on the train, although "Must Love Dogs" dubbed in Spainish is not the most artistic piece of cinema in the world, but it sure made me laugh.
Wierd radio stations on the train as well!
Okay so here is my trip --- mas or menos . . .
I arrived Friday 15 de septiembre at around 9 AM? I really don't remember all I know is that I didn't sleep (despite the sleeping pill my friend and I split---probably not the best idea in the world to share it!).
We got to the hostel (Centric Point Hostel--WONDERFUL great for just a few days in BCN because it is kind od expensive, but has the perfect location and free breakfast- which we only had on the first day!)---grabbed some breakfast, secured our stuff in the lockers and went off to through La Rambla to the Gothic District!
In the Gothic Distric we saw gorgeous buildings, and went into La Catedral de
Barcelona. We even went up to the top (for 1.20 Euro I think!!) and got to see some breathtaking views of the city!.
Next, (remember, I am still running on little sleep!) we went to La Sagrada Familia, which is by far one of the most amazing works of art I have EVER seen-by Gaudí of course. We didn't cough up the euros to go inside this one, nor did we want to wait for hours in line!! But we did explore every possible view from outside!
After this, I needed a coffee. So we stopped and refueled. THEN we were hungry and went to this really cool Tapas place where every tapa had a picture and number on your placemate (this made it VERY easy to try many of them!!)
Oh, and we also had a couple of pitchers of Sangría!
After that I was ready for a nap!! Back to the hostel for a few hours of shut eye.
Next, shower!!! (I did have to pay 2 euro to rent a towel from the hostel--can't forget that next time!)
We all were ready for a drink by then so we went to L'Ovella
Negra, a bar close to Las Ramblas that looks as if it was created out of some underground caves.
Then we went out for Tapas again, with sangría of couse, and then off to a Flamenco show! The show was quite amazing---guitarristas, cantados, y un baileando?? I don't remember what the correct term for a male Flamenco dancer is even though I learned it just this afternoon in class!!!!
After, we went to this club that was really quite awful due to the amount of Americans present. We left shortly!
I don't really remember what we did after that? Slept?
Next day (thanks to my friend Elle!) we got up early (10 AM is early when you stay out so late!), sat and enjoyed a delicious cafe latte, and got in line for Gaudí's La Pedrera. This mansion was nothing less than awesome! And the roof top was definately worth the 4.50 euro we paid to go inside!
Next, el museo de Picasso!!!!!! This museum was so interesting because it took you through the entire life of Picasso. Of couse, the most famous works of his were not here (other museums throughout the world have
those!), you could trace his development and entire academic journey!!
The installation was perfect and we spent a good 2-3 hours here!
Next, FOOD! A friendly spanish guy told us of a good place to eat and Elle and I ate tortillas varias and jamón con queso. There was basically enough food to feed a village and we almost ate it all we were so hungry!
Then, we peaked inside the chocolate museum near by and bought ourselves some treats!
Next, the National Palace---awesome building with great museums inside! It is on the east side of Montjuic (a mountain close to the sea). We also saw the Olympic Stadium and some other crazy bulding where a "La oreja de Van Gogh" concert was taking place later one (a concert that I would have LOVED to go to---but we didn't have tickets!)
It rained a little bit during this time of the day, but not too much! We kind of got lost/disoriented on the way up there, but we made it nonetheless!
Next, back to the hostel for some sleep!!
Actually, I couldn't sleep too well and Leah called me so I spent some time
on the phone with her!!
The boys came back then as well (they had slept pretty late into the day) and we all went out to this super awesome place for dinner in Plaza Reial. Our white wine was 5.94 euro!!!!! Elle and I split a delicious caprese salad and paella!!
Next, L'Ovella Negra for some drinks, then this other bar in which I encountered my first Aussie----evidently Australians have some super natural powers to obtain enough money doing short jobs in randoms places to travel for months at a time. This kid (I don't remember his name) also bought me the best drink- Vodka y Fanta-and also warned me that that would probably be the only time an Aussie would ever by any girl a drink (really?=) I think we actually went to L'Ovella Negra after this, not before, because I remember getting inside the barrel there and taking some great pictures (that Elle has I hope!) The mimes had to kick us out because they have this ridiculous closing time of 3 AM!!!!
Next day, we went to Park Guell---which was again an amazing work of art created by Gaudí!!!!!
Then, forgetting it was
Sunday, we went back towards the hostel to shop and found all the shops closed! Oh well- I didn't have any money to spend anyway!
Elle and Chris had an afternoon bus back to Madrid, so they left soon after lunch (which was perfect again!) and Theo and I went to Castle d eMontjuic!!!!
It was quite a trip up hill on the top of that mountain!!! We wanted to take the cable cars but they were under repair. The view was definately worth it!!!!!!!!!!!
About 6 o'clock (or 18:00!!) we got our stuff from the hostels and went to find the train station!
We bought some food for the trip and boarded our train!!!
Now I am back in Madrid and after a full day of classes I am BEAT!
Hasta luego!
-Stephanie
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Lauren
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Flamenco dancers, clubs, Picasso, sangria, PICASSO, worldly Austrailian travelers, poorly dubbed bad American movies??????!!!!!!!!! Spain sounds like a dream world. You are getting me so hyped up for studying abroad. Bah. I'm looking at all the papers I have to fill out and am not ready to tackle them during this hell week of papers and tests.