Day 14 and 15: Barcelona, Spain

(I just posted my last day in Edinburgh and first day in Spain below this, check it out!)

Hola!

Haha, that's about all I know. Actually my speaking isn't too bad but my listening is ATROCIOUS. Everyone mumbles and speaks really fast here so it's impossible for me to pick it up. Luckily Julie's spanish is a bit better than mine so I managed to get from place to place.

Yesterday we slept in which was great from me since I had lost so much sleep during the weekend. Julie took me downtown where we had some lunch at the Bagel Shop where she is showcasing her photography (which is beautiful by the way). After having some ice cream, we just walked around the square there and found that a movie was being shot down there. From what we could see, a period piece of some type.

We just wandered around town, stopping at various sights so I could take some snapshots while Julie gave me some background. One of the prettiest was Palau de la Musica Catalana which had this amazing mosaic work and balconies. We also stopped by Parc de la Ciutadella where there's a HUGE fountain (apparently Beyonce filmed something there) and a giant wooly mammoth. On the way back, we walked down to the Arc de Triumf which is gigantic. The architecture here is so different that what I've come from in the UK, it's much older looking looking and definitely creative. I love just being able to just wander the city and examine the different cultures. You have to pay to get into most of the museums here so I haven't really been motivated to do so, maybe when Crissy gets here on Saturday. I've just been having fun chilling out which I think I need right now plus it's the best way to really get to know a city.

I decided to stay with Julie for the rest of the time instead of going to my hostel which saves me a great deal of money plus it's wonderful having a friend to talk to everyday. Julie is an amazing person and I'm really glad we've gotten to know each other like this, she's definitely showing me the highlights of her city. We decided to stay in and make dinner last night so after a trip to the grocery store (finding chocolate chips here is hard!) we rented a movie (New York Stories) and set about with a caprese appetizer on the balcony overlooking Julie's quiet St. Gervasi neighborhood (approximiatey 10 min from downtown on the metro).

I must have brought the rainclouds with me from Scotland because it began storming last night with lots of lightning and thunder. See, I told you the rain was following me. It's Spain, in August! Luckily we had chicken curry to keep us occupied indoors and after finding out how terrible New York Stories was, we switched to The Goonies which always brings me back to my childhood (thanks to my sister who watched it over and over). We managed to make some of my now famous Coconut Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookies in her tiny oven.

I can see why Julie loves this city so much, it exudes an awesome vibe. Something about just sitting here makes you feel good. You're surrounded with such great history and art. The art is just incredible here and it's obvious so much is centered around that community.

Today we went up to Parc Guell which was quite a hike, particularly in humid weather! It was designed by Gaudi (a famous Spanish architect) and is basically this huge park compound. Dali lived there and was just where the artist spent some of their time. It's a beautiful space with the houses of the artists, trees (finally, some woods of some sort!), and giant stone columns. A person could spend all day there just relaxing except with the hordes of tourits coming from all directions. We enjoyed our picnic lunch in a quieter spot and I couldn't believe this awesome foresty space was in the middle of Barcelona. Nuts.

We had a great discussion about the importance of traveling and how it just opens your eyes to complete different experiences. I feel this particularly important for Americans. I know a lot of my fellow peers (particularly in Santa Cruz) insist on going to third world countries (it's the trendy thing right now) because it's more "real" or whatever (don't get me wrong, I want to spend time in South America too) but you can't just discount Europe. There's so many different types of cultures here with amazing history that you can't find anywhere in the States. Especially if you appreciate art, it's terribly important, in my opinion, to tour around Europe. My trip is only 6 weeks long but I'm having such an amazing time just trekking around somewhere that isn't the US. It just broadens my view of getting up and relocating to a different country and exploring loads of other ones. We just get so caught up in our lives, in monotony, in things that shouldn't matter. But what really matter is wanting to grow as a person, being genuine, and finding good people. And of course appreciating the good things that you do have. There's never a bad time to shed bullshit from your life.

On that note, tonight we're having an Eddie Murphy party with a feast of quiche, carrot-ginger soup, and some more cookies! Tomorrow it's off to the beach and the famous La Sagrada Familia (also designed by Gaudi). Till then, hope all is well! I'd like to hear from you!

~sals