Going to Barcelona for spring break was the best decision I could have made! Since I am diligently avoiding studying for midterms that are coming up this week, this appears to be the perfect opportunity to blog about the trip. In case anyone other than my mother wanted a play-by-play. (Hi Mom! You should've skipped your meeting in Vancouver and come with us to Spain! You too, Dad, you would have loved the food.)
Friday March 11
Arrive in Spain after about 12 hours of traveling, including a 4 hour layover in Istanbul's airport from 5-9am during which I thoroughly inspected their duty-free shop and sampled all of their makeup and lotion. Meet up with my Auntie Di, my sister Gina, and Gina's friend Pam. Luckily, they weren't feeling too jet-lagged, so we spent our first half day wandering around the city, snacking on xocolate and croissants, and taking pictures of funny statues.
Saturday March 12
The rain in Spain does not fall mainly on the plane. Attempted to find the University of Barcelona, only to discover it's spread throughout the city and not just in one spot. After buying an umbrella and some FCBarcelona gear, we take a stroll along La Rambla, the main pedestrian area in the city. Lunch of paella at a restaurant off La Rambla. Attempted to go to the Picasso Museum but seeing as it was overcrowded, we opted for the Chocolate Museum instead. Good choice! Our tickets were chocolate bars, and we learned a lot of interesting things.
Aand then we bought more chocolate at the end. Finished off the day with pintxos at the restaurant next to our apartment.
Sunday March 13
Gina and Pam go running in the morning, so Auntie Di and I have a leisurely breakfast (cafe con leche and a chocolate croissant, every day at our favorite bakery next door) and stroll down the Diagonal. See lots and lots of dogs, I of course feel the need to point out every single one and coo about how cute it is. It's a miracle Pam and Auntie Di didn't strangle me and Gina because of how often a passing dog would cause us to forget everything else around us. Sisters!
Today was the day - the day we saw La Sagrada Familia. It is, in English, "The Temple of the Holy Family" designed by famous Barcelona-n architect Gaudi. He was inspired by nature and wanted all of his pieces to look organic. It shows - the outside looks sort of like the sand castles Gina and I would make in Kiawah ("goober castles") and the inside looks like it's going to come to life and avatar-esque people will swing down from the tree-like columns.
Words and pictures can only do so much to convey the effect that building has. I strongly recommend that anyone who is ever anywhere near Barcelona to go see it. Gaudi began work on La Sagrada Familia in 1883. 1883. They just finished the roof in 2010. To say that this is a massive undertaking would be an understatement. As breathtaking as it is now, when it is finished it will be even more amazing.
As if La Sagrada Familia wasn't enough awesome architecture for one day, we spent the rest of March 13 scoping out other Gaudi-designed buildings. We saw a couple apartment buildings designed by him and just some really cool architecture in general, including La Catedral, the main (complete, despite the cranes in the picture doing renovation) Catholic church in the area.
Monday March 14
Waterfront day! Despite the threat of rain, we walked down to Mare Magnum, Barcelona's "Liveliest and Most Leisurely Spot".... we were apparently there during the "leisurely" part, since few others braved the rain to go out there. It's just a nice big mall with restaurants and a great view. Did some shopping, tapas for lunch, and then walked along the beach. When the rain got to an almost unbearable downpour (my umbrella started to leak), we luckily passed a cafe that advertised a food we'd been looking for - chocolate covered waffles! We would see signs for them everywhere, but never when we were in a position to go in and eat some. So, giving in to the fates, we waited out the worst of the rain whilst eating our "gofres." Gina, "Un gofre, por favor!" Me, "Dos!" Gina, "Dos?" Me, "I want my own!"
Now that the rain has slowed, we headed back to La Rambla and happened to pass by the busy food market. It was so much fun!
We bought iberico ham, salami, manchego cheese, gorgonzola-something cheese, carmelized pecans, chocolate carmel fudge, some sweets, strawberries, french bread, and wine for dinner. Mmmmm! So good!
Tuesday March 15
Day trip to Figueres for the Dali museum there. Two hour train ride, not too bad. Regretting not taking Mom's advice and bringing a kindle with me abroad. The museum was fun, weird, as was expected. Before Dali died he figured he would need a museum, so he took it upon himself to design it! In that respect it was really cool, just the way the museum was. It didn't have a lot of his masterpieces though, which was sad. They are mostly in the Dali museum in St. Petersburg, Florida. But, I found out that Dali and Disney actually collaborated on a project, and the short film was only recently released in 2003!
Wednesday March 16
Last day in Barcelona! So sad, it went by so quickly. We made a point of walking around FCBarcelona's stadium Camp Nou, although we didn't feel like paying the 18 Euros for a tour. Instead we went to the (free) Park Guell, which is on top of some tall hill in Barcelona. Great views of the city. The park was huge, but we only saw a small part of it (including another Gaudi-designed building.)
Food-wise, I try to fit in as much pork products into my diet as possible before my return to a majority Muslim country. We also finally get some churros and dipping chocolate, a very popular (and yummy) snack.
Make it to the Picasso museum, but pictures weren't allowed, so, sorry. It was mostly devoted to his early days in Barcelona though, before he did most of his famous works. Interesting, but like the Dali museum, probably better appreciated if you're already familiar with the more famous stuff (which we all were, so it was all good.)
The last meal was also the best. We went to a Basque pintxos place that one of Gina's friends had recommended. So good! Great way to end the trip.
So there's my trip. We did a lot of really fun things, but my favorite has to be just spending downtime with my family. It was exactly the break that I said I needed. I've spent the last couple days at home doing some spring cleaning, uploading pictures to facebook, and watching Bollywood movies. Basically, I'm still mentally on break, haha, even though I have two midterms this week! Hopefully I can get back into school mode soon!
Friday March 11
Arrive in Spain after about 12 hours of traveling, including a 4 hour layover in Istanbul's airport from 5-9am during which I thoroughly inspected their duty-free shop and sampled all of their makeup and lotion. Meet up with my Auntie Di, my sister Gina, and Gina's friend Pam. Luckily, they weren't feeling too jet-lagged, so we spent our first half day wandering around the city, snacking on xocolate and croissants, and taking pictures of funny statues.
Saturday March 12
The rain in Spain does not fall mainly on the plane. Attempted to find the University of Barcelona, only to discover it's spread throughout the city and not just in one spot. After buying an umbrella and some FCBarcelona gear, we take a stroll along La Rambla, the main pedestrian area in the city. Lunch of paella at a restaurant off La Rambla. Attempted to go to the Picasso Museum but seeing as it was overcrowded, we opted for the Chocolate Museum instead. Good choice! Our tickets were chocolate bars, and we learned a lot of interesting things.
Aand then we bought more chocolate at the end. Finished off the day with pintxos at the restaurant next to our apartment.
Sunday March 13
Gina and Pam go running in the morning, so Auntie Di and I have a leisurely breakfast (cafe con leche and a chocolate croissant, every day at our favorite bakery next door) and stroll down the Diagonal. See lots and lots of dogs, I of course feel the need to point out every single one and coo about how cute it is. It's a miracle Pam and Auntie Di didn't strangle me and Gina because of how often a passing dog would cause us to forget everything else around us. Sisters!
Today was the day - the day we saw La Sagrada Familia. It is, in English, "The Temple of the Holy Family" designed by famous Barcelona-n architect Gaudi. He was inspired by nature and wanted all of his pieces to look organic. It shows - the outside looks sort of like the sand castles Gina and I would make in Kiawah ("goober castles") and the inside looks like it's going to come to life and avatar-esque people will swing down from the tree-like columns.
Words and pictures can only do so much to convey the effect that building has. I strongly recommend that anyone who is ever anywhere near Barcelona to go see it. Gaudi began work on La Sagrada Familia in 1883. 1883. They just finished the roof in 2010. To say that this is a massive undertaking would be an understatement. As breathtaking as it is now, when it is finished it will be even more amazing.
As if La Sagrada Familia wasn't enough awesome architecture for one day, we spent the rest of March 13 scoping out other Gaudi-designed buildings. We saw a couple apartment buildings designed by him and just some really cool architecture in general, including La Catedral, the main (complete, despite the cranes in the picture doing renovation) Catholic church in the area.
Monday March 14
Waterfront day! Despite the threat of rain, we walked down to Mare Magnum, Barcelona's "Liveliest and Most Leisurely Spot".... we were apparently there during the "leisurely" part, since few others braved the rain to go out there. It's just a nice big mall with restaurants and a great view. Did some shopping, tapas for lunch, and then walked along the beach. When the rain got to an almost unbearable downpour (my umbrella started to leak), we luckily passed a cafe that advertised a food we'd been looking for - chocolate covered waffles! We would see signs for them everywhere, but never when we were in a position to go in and eat some. So, giving in to the fates, we waited out the worst of the rain whilst eating our "gofres." Gina, "Un gofre, por favor!" Me, "Dos!" Gina, "Dos?" Me, "I want my own!"
Now that the rain has slowed, we headed back to La Rambla and happened to pass by the busy food market. It was so much fun!
We bought iberico ham, salami, manchego cheese, gorgonzola-something cheese, carmelized pecans, chocolate carmel fudge, some sweets, strawberries, french bread, and wine for dinner. Mmmmm! So good!
Tuesday March 15
Day trip to Figueres for the Dali museum there. Two hour train ride, not too bad. Regretting not taking Mom's advice and bringing a kindle with me abroad. The museum was fun, weird, as was expected. Before Dali died he figured he would need a museum, so he took it upon himself to design it! In that respect it was really cool, just the way the museum was. It didn't have a lot of his masterpieces though, which was sad. They are mostly in the Dali museum in St. Petersburg, Florida. But, I found out that Dali and Disney actually collaborated on a project, and the short film was only recently released in 2003!
Wednesday March 16
Last day in Barcelona! So sad, it went by so quickly. We made a point of walking around FCBarcelona's stadium Camp Nou, although we didn't feel like paying the 18 Euros for a tour. Instead we went to the (free) Park Guell, which is on top of some tall hill in Barcelona. Great views of the city. The park was huge, but we only saw a small part of it (including another Gaudi-designed building.)
Food-wise, I try to fit in as much pork products into my diet as possible before my return to a majority Muslim country. We also finally get some churros and dipping chocolate, a very popular (and yummy) snack.
Make it to the Picasso museum, but pictures weren't allowed, so, sorry. It was mostly devoted to his early days in Barcelona though, before he did most of his famous works. Interesting, but like the Dali museum, probably better appreciated if you're already familiar with the more famous stuff (which we all were, so it was all good.)
The last meal was also the best. We went to a Basque pintxos place that one of Gina's friends had recommended. So good! Great way to end the trip.
So there's my trip. We did a lot of really fun things, but my favorite has to be just spending downtime with my family. It was exactly the break that I said I needed. I've spent the last couple days at home doing some spring cleaning, uploading pictures to facebook, and watching Bollywood movies. Basically, I'm still mentally on break, haha, even though I have two midterms this week! Hopefully I can get back into school mode soon!
Wow. Your trip sounded great! Thanks to AuntieDi for taking you. My meetings in Vavcouver weren't too good unfortunately. Back to work for us all!miss you Sweetie
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