Beautiful Barcelona

A few weekends ago I went to Barcelona with my two friends Jacqui and Megan. I pretty much lucked out because they have friends studying there so we got free housing (which is always good) and with my eurorail pass, the tickets to Barcelona were only 6.50 Euro so I was a happy camper. I had heard so many great things about Barcelona so I was excited to finally be able to go. It’s so crazy thinking about how in the beginning I kept saying, “Oh I have plenty of weekends to travel” and now I’m saying, “Shit, I’ve only got a little bit of time left!” So yes, I was happy to make my way into Spanish territory.

Barcelona isn’t a long ride from Montpellier at all—around 4.5 hours, which is pretty sweet. It’d be shorter if they didn’t have to change tracks for the trains and check passports at the border. My host mom was telling me something about the railways being different in Spain than in France, so in order for the train to be able to get from one country to the other, they have to change the tracks, which takes time. Luckily, they add all the time it takes onto your ticket so you’re not thinking its 4.5 hours and it ends up being 5.5 due to the changes//checks. Smart people there.

Now for the pictures!

Street performers lined Las Ramblas. The costumes they had were amazing, and most of them stood perfectly still until you put money in their cup which meant they could move and take a picture with you. I loved seeing all of them, and I just could not imagine how the hell they got ready in the morning, or stood still for so long. What about the bathroom??

Gaudi architecture. He was from Barcelona and this is one of the only places you can find his different style of architecture. This is from the park that he designed. To me, it looks very much like a gingerbread house or a house that Hensel and Gretel would know a lot about.

More park. So different and beautiful

An amazing street band that literally made anyone who listened smile and want to dance. I love seeing people on the street just doing what they love, regardless of whether or not they actually get money. But, if you're curious, I did indeed give them coinage.

La Sagrada Famillia: Gaudi’s unfinished cathedral. I’ve never seen anything like this. It’s enormous, and still under construction. They are hoping to finish it in a few years. It reminds me of a drippy sandcastle, with so much detail.

Beautiful Barca

And of course, la playa. It was such a beautiful day that we actually got to sit out on the beach and “profitez du soliel” or profit from the sun. I got a bit sunburned, of course, but it was well worth it. So relaxing.