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Barcelona started off a little slow, but true to everyone's predictions, it turned out to be fantastic!
First, I took a walking tour around the Gothic Quarter, with an English tour guide. There is so much to see, and so much history! They built buildings on top of ancient roman ruins, and then found them years later! There were windows that you could look down to see the old roman structures underneath some buildings, and there was even an apartment block with roman columns standing in the middle of the building! I guess there was a man living there with the columns going straight through his living room, and he just never mentioned it. And then one day, he was like hmm... maybe I should tell someone about this. So they bought his flat, and tore it down, and now there is a little courtyard in the centre of the building looking down on massive roman columns!
The following day I did a bike tour, and the weather was gorgeous! Riding a bicycle in just a jumper in November.... I could get used to this! The tour was a small group, only myself, an american, two Aussie girls, and our Kiwi guide. It was great, went to the beach, saw the marina, rode all around and saw so much Gaudi! The Sagrada familia is absolutely stunning in person. (Is it "in person" if its not a person? Hmmm....)
The two Aussie girls were sweethearts, so we all went for lunch, and then Sarah and Bridgette and I did a Spanish cooking experience in the evening. Started out with a visit to the fresh food market "La Boqueria" where they had every food imagineable, and the most delicious fresh juices. (Banana Coconut was heavenly!) From there, we walked down to the travel bar, had tapas, watched the chef make paella and made sangria. The whole evening was full of pitcher after pitcher of sangria, and it made for a very fun evening!
The next day Sarah and Bridgette and I went and saw Parc Guell, the famous park with various houses and elements designed by Gaudi, and then on to the Sagrada Familia to see it from the inside. It is absolutely breathtaking. The detail in that place is astounding! And its massive... There were tons of people inside, but it still didn't feel crowded, and it was so serene inside! We literally sat in the centre of the church and stared at the ceiling for 45 minutes!
Overall, I think Barcelona's been my favorite so far. The city itself just has this great feel to it, the people I met were awesome, and the sights were pretty cool. That Gaudi sure seems like he would be an interesting character... Imagine sitting down with him over a pitcher of sangria! ;)
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