A Long Awaited....Barcelona

OH Panic is now becoming my middle name!

I'm sorry again (you must be so sick of these apologies) for this being soo late and long ago...it was past a month ago (is that even correct english) that I was in Barcelona, but the universe has been working against me, not only did I already write this section and was about to upload it when it all got deleted and lost... So I am using that as my excuse.

Ok now down to business.

 Let me tell you, trying to go back a month in memory through countless new experiences is a task in itself, then add that I am trying to write it all down as I go and make it coherent at the same time, well... makes it even harder, but as I always say, I will try my best.

We arrived in Barcelona from Bordeaux at 4.30am after one of the first rather hellish nights on the night Eurolines bus that we were to experience in the coming weeks... I HATE buses. They suck. Sorry. I strongly dislike using Buses. They suck BALLS. Sorry.

So having no idea where we were and the metro being still shut, we decided to sleep at the bus station until the metro got itself together and started up for the day, at 5.30am. We stayed until the people told us we had to leave.

So being early and not being able to check into our hostel until later on that day we decided to go to the beach. Our hostel, thank the lord, was in the wonderful district of Barcelonetta, which as you may not know is right on the beach, like literally right on the beach, we could see the water from our room (if we hung out the window...but it still counts, right?) 

I am finding it a little tricky to remember all the finer details of our stay, but some memories that stick was the fact that there was constantly sand in our bedroom and throughout the entire hostel.

Another memory is running down for a late night swim at 9 in the evening. The water is so warm in spain, its crazy. It's almost like getting into a salty bath.

We had about 5 days in total and had such a great time. Barcelona is such a cool city. We saw Gaudi's Sagrada Familia and Parc Güell. We marvelled at La Rumblas and the variety of things that were available to buy, we could have bought a baby tortoise or twenty if we wanted to(and were rich)! 

We explored (i.e got lost) in the Barri Gothic, the gothic quarter of Barcelona, with all its many lane ways,  boutiques and cosy restaurants. 

Gaudi's Sagrada Familia

My camera died on me, RUDE, so these next few are courtesy of Maria xx 

Not too bad on the old iphone.

The Barcelonetta Beach, early enough to not be covered in near naked bodies.

The yummiest, and probably not the best for me, green smoothie, that cost me an arm and a leg, but was worth ever drop; that I've had in a long time.

Our beautiful, and sometimes smelly, street.

Maria pointed out to me as we walked past that there was one very "untanned" man playing beach volleyball.  Oh how we laughed. Can you spot him?

Another Gaudi

Christopher Columbus pointing out towards the Americas at the start of La Rumblas.

Some cool Mexican-Style decorations in La Boqueria, the coolest food market ever.

If only I was rich and carried a tank with me in my backpack, these little guys would have been mine.

The Barri Gothic

The Cathedral de Barcelona

Gaudi's waves his magic wand and this happens...geddit? 

Waves... I crack myself up! xx

We went for a walk all the way up to that cathedral, it was great. Barcelona has a national park literally 20 minutes from the city centre.

The view from the cathedral overlooking Barcelona, the walk was definitely worth it.

These were inside the Cathedral and all mosaic, pretty awesome!

We also went to La Boqueria, the amazing food market off La Ramblas, which is full to the brim with fresh fruit and every other edible thing you can think of. I thought Maria was going to cry when we walked in.

We went to the Pablo Picasso Museum, and let me tell you, it will blow your mind. Picasso is a genius. Its such an amazing Museum, if your ever in Barcelona Go. If you love Picasso, What are you waiting for? If you hate Picasso, you'll love him after going. Trust me. He's now one of my Faves.

We also had our fair share of Tapas and Sangria. Maria took me out for a belated birthday lunch, to this amazingly reasonably priced restaurant, where we had a three course meal, involving Wine, the best Croquettes I think I'll ever have in my life, this fishy thing ( it was weird, but fancy), a Mushroom Cheesy Lasagne,  and to top it all off, Creme Brule. Delish!

Next leg of the Journey is, well was Ibiza, but I've got a whole post about food next to have you all mighty jealous of my explorations in Barcelona.

All up I give Barcelona a mighty 9!

Cheerio Chums

TTFN

Love Katie G