God’s architect: Barcelona Days 1-2
After a somewhat restless night in the sleeper train (it was hot before it got cool), we pulled into Barcelona first thing in the morning. A few of us (not named David and Kevin) took a long time getting out of their cabin; so much so the attendants were begging them to please leave. Haha.
Oh my Barcelona was steamy hot! We managed to get on the bus for the 20 min ride to our apartment. This time around, we’d be relying on Velma for her Spanish speaking skills as our group crutch. Thank goodness for her studying abroad in Sevilla, Spain.
After getting a quick bite to eat we checked-in the apt. Sweet pad! It blew us away. Super modern, comfy, and beautiful! A balcony to boot! And to think it was the cheapest of our European accommodations!
Our Barcelona pad
Rooming with Kevin (I’m the left bed)
With just two days in Barcelona, it would be our shortest stay among the different countries. It was hot, so beach time! I was psyched! We took a short metro ride to the beach. Clearly everyone else had the same idea because waves of people also got off the same stop, also dressed in their beach attire.
With all our running around, the beach was the most perfect break. I didn’t even swim. Just wanted to lay out and dip the feet in the cool waters.
Lots of people enjoying the sun.
Me and Jessica enjoying our 3 euro mojitos! They weren’t very strong, but very very yummy!
Also, let’s just say this was definitely a European beach. (There’s positives and negatives to that! But mostly positive!!)
We walked by an outdoor gym of sorts. I couldn’t resist doing some pull-ups. I probably did 4. Geez, awful.
A couple hours of laying out and walking the beach from end-to-end, we were starving! Along the shore were restaurants definitely catering to tourists with promises of tapas, sangria, and paella. We were sold!
Me mashing the fruit in the sangria pitcher
Paella! The European food I was most looking forward to!!! I was in heaven.
Super stuffed, we headed back home to wash up. The night was young, so we hit the popular walking street Las Ramblas. Stretching for 1.2km, the tree-lined pedestrian mall offers cafes, restaurants, and street vendors. Really liking Barcelona for its pedestrian friendly, tree lined malls. On the way home, I even saw Olympian Elizabeth Beisel with other members of Team USA (the swimming world championships had just finished in Barcelona).
The next morning, I convinced my sister to accompany me to mass at the La Sagrada Familia. I really wanted to experience a service at this iconic church. The service was in Spanish which was also fascinating. On the way back home we bought some super super yummy Portugese nata (egg tart pastry) for breakfast. Best egg tart I’ve ever had.
The activity for the morning was a walking tour of old Barcelona that Kristine discovered. Free of charge, we would just have to tip the tour guide. It was great! A little long (about 3 hours) but I learned and saw things about Barcelona I otherwise wouldn’t have. All from our Finnish guide! I highly recommend doing the free walking tour!
Barcelona School of Architecture. Ironic that the building is so ugly and the front façade features a Picasso doodle that he meant to be a joke.
Barcelona Cathedral
I bought this figure as a souvenir. It’s a play on the regional fairy tale of El Caganer (the crapper) which is symbol of endearment in the Barcelona region. But instead of El Caganer, it’s the Barca soccer team!
Apparently the famous Picasso ‘The Young Ladies of Avignon’ isn’t about ladies from the south of France. Instead it’s the prostitutes that worked the Barcelona street of Avinyo. The street plate is shown below.
Pint of refreshing beer for 1 euro after the walking tour. AAhhh!!!
Las Ramblas during the day. We headed there to get lunch.
Situated on the Las Ramblas, we stopped at the La Boqueria for lunch. An open market, we would be able to get super fresh food!!!
Entrance to La Boqueria
We feasted on tapas for lunch! Thank goodness we’re comfortable with each other to share small plates!
Four of us (minus Kristine and Will) headed for the grand daddy Barcelona sight of them all: La Sagrada Familia!!! Ever since I watched a 60 Minutes feature on this stunning mega church earlier this year, I’ve wanted so bad to make the pilgrimage. Designed by the genius Antoni Gaudi, it is a stunning work of art that was started in 1882 and won’t be complete until ~2026. A devout Catholic, Gaudi was called ‘God’s Architect’. At least the inside is complete. I pledge to go back when it’s all said and done.
My ticket!
The inside of the basilica! Absolutely jaw dropping in its beauty! Unlike any other church I’ve ever seen.
The nativity façade. It depicts the story of Jesus’ birth.
Underneath the basilica is an impressive museum that shows the labor of love that is the building of La Sagrada Familia. Gaudi’s sketches and plaster models are on display.
Two hours later and many photos later, we were ready for our last dinner in Barcelona. We wanted to do it big and enjoy some really GOOD Spanish food! Due to a mix-up in scheduling we weren’t able to do the paella cooking class we had scheduled in advance, so instead we decided to go to a restaurant me and Kristine saw earlier that morning: De Tapas Madre. Super cool vibe and it’s Michelin recommended so it had to be good! AAA+++ overall. Super cool vibe, excellent food, and stellar service!!! Definitely one of my fav meals on the trip thus far. In fact the food was so good, I forgot to take pictures!
Ready for my food at De Tapas Madre
Iberian ham ready to be sliced and eaten!
The next day, off on a plane to Rome!
