When we finally arrived in Barcelona it really felt like being someplace else. If I had been blindfolded and transported to Barcelona I would have been able to tell immediately we weren't in France anymore and not just because the people were speaking Spanish/Catalan but because the atmosphere just exudes a Spanish vibe. From the palm trees and the 10 monuments and fountains we passed on our trek to the hostel Barcelona was just breathtaking. As it turned out the Erasmus people really knew their stuff because we were situated in a hostile practically on the Ramblas (the main street). It was my first time in a hostile though and let me tell you although it was incredibly clean it was also very much what I would think prison is like? There were bunk beds stacked on bunk beds and we were in an 8 person room that thankfully had it's own private shower and bathroom. The only consolation besides the fact that AM, Lucy and I were with the Italians on the bus who were really friendly was the miniature sized balcony that 3 people could fit on if you squished (which of course we did). The first item on the agenda of things to do was go on a walking tour of Barcelona which although was 2 hours and involved A LOT of walking I actually really enjoyed it. I was mostly fascinated that there's a square in Barcelona named after George Orwell because of his revolutionary opinions in the Spanish Civil War. It's now called Trippy Square because it's where people in recent years go to shoot up so they had to install surveillance cameras to hinder crime. Now for a Writing major or anyone whose a fan of Orwell for that matter and has read 1984, the irony doesn't escape you! I was also pleasantly surprised as a traveler that walking tours are free as the guides who are extremely knowledgeable work on tips and passion for the place alone. After that we went back to the hostel and napped because god knows we all needed one. Then AM and I showered got ready and went to the Erasmus organized event of flamenco dancing, followed by tapas and all you can drink sangria while Lucy stayed in because she was meeting up with her boyfriend who was coming to visit. The flamenco dancing was incredible so impassioned and serious which I was surprised about but I think it's important to note that flamenco dancing has nothing to do with Barcelona culture so much as it has to do with Spain. By the time tapa time rolled around I was starving and was hoping that they were good. I was blown away by the sheer amount of food that they kept bringing out and how amazing it was. There's nothing better than cold cuts on fresh bread with a little tomato and olive oil coupled with the sweet taste of sangria. Just writing about it now makes my mouth water... I do believe that is where it all went to hell though because I didn't wash my hands and we ate so much of the food with our hands (BAD IDEA FOR ANY TRAVELERS)...Later that night we went on a pub crawl which was amazing (totally American and touristy) and completely necessary. The bars in Barcelona are just on another level they had flaming shots and everything from a Harry Potter to a Monica Lewinski (better you don't ask how to take that one). It was just a fun social atmosphere to be in and then we topped the night off with a club called the Catwalk that had bubbles, foam, lights I felt like I was dreaming. AM and I decided that we'd had enough around the time 3 am rolled around so we decided to walk back which in retrospect I would not recommend as it was 20 minutes and our Spanish sucks...we kept using French, English and some Italian to be understood. I think it's funny that I spoke more French in Barcelona than in my time in France so far. For some reason the pressure I guess leaves you and you focus on trying to be understood rather than if you're using the right form of avoir and if it's a conditional statement. The next day we visited the Sagrada Familia undoubtedly the prettiest church I've ever seen. It's just like nothing I'd ever been exposed to and I'm Catholic so I thought I'd pretty much seen all the types of churches. Guadi's work is just incredible from the fruits on top of the pillars to all the intricate details in the stone and the stain glass that reflects and refracts rainbows onto your skin. I was fortunate because I got to see a marriage ceremony being performed but I think it's such a shame that because of tourism they have to have it in the bottom of the church which is very solemn and not nearly as breathtaking as the top floor. Afterwards, we opted to go on the Ramblas and go to the Bouqueria which is a market that has everything you could want and more. Fruit, candy, chocolate, cheese, meet, fish, olives, smoothies in legitimately every flavor and color and type imaginable. I couldn't help myself, I had to get a raspberry, strawberry smoothie as well as a french fry size cup of Spanish ham (soooo good) but once again didn't wash my hands. Later that night all the Erasmusers met up for tapas again only this time it was in a Beer Hall type atmosphere and we were all seated together. It was great because I got to meet new people and make friends with them while eating amazing food and drinking sangria that never seemed to end. After the tapas which once again I didn't wash my hands for (are we seeing a reoccurring theme?) we went to a club with 8 floors! It was pretty awesome although some of the floors were kinda empty. Finally around 5 am we caught the subway back with a big group of Erasmusers/our new friends. The next morning we ended our trip in Barcelona with what else...la playa! It was beautiful and so different from the Mediteranean beaches in Montpellier. The man made beach of Barcelona (learned that in the walking tour) was calm and the water was a bright blue the sand which was imported from the Sahara desert also had a distinctly dry and powdery feel. It was awesome because they were also holding an airplane exhaust competition that day so conversations were periodically punctuated with the sound of airplanes breaking the sound barrier and making shapes like hearts with red clouds. I think Barcelona was by far the best city I've ever been to and I've been to quite a few. I joke around because shortly after returning from Barcelona I got the sickest I think I've ever been. AM and I came down with the worst stomach flu ever and while we couldn't leave our rooms for a good 2 weeks undoubtedly because of our lack of hand washing, it was still totally worth it! I would recommend Barcelona to anyone and everyone just make sure you bring along hand sanitizer LOTS OF IT!
No comments:
Post a Comment