Barcelona

A look into my various grand (mis)adventures throughout Europe

Hello and welcome to a very special series of blogs that will hopefully keep you updated on my travels throughout Europe. As I mentioned before, I am embarking on a trip throughout Europe (about a month and a half) in which I will be in a different country at least once a week. Where, you ask? It's a surprise--unless I've told you already, which is highly likely for most of you. I would like to take a moment to thank my parents, my sister, Marie Kondo, Samsonite, Belvita biscuits, and cheap airline tickets for making this all possible.

My first stop was Barcelona, Spain, a city whose mild temperatures were a welcome respite from the harsh winds and rain of Oxford. My friends and I ditched our heavy coats and scarves for short sleeves and cardigans and basked in the warm, slightly breezy air. Many of the native Barcelonians, meanwhile, were still bundled up in winter gear, which made me wonder what normal weather is for them. Nonetheless, the sky showed itself in a brilliant blue and the city itself was full of life for the three days we were there.

Advice from a ~week-old~ traveler: if you're planning on visiting Barcelona, the T-10 ticket is perfect for a short stay. In the four days and three nights we were there, we managed to use almost all 10 trips that can be used on the train, the Metro, and the bus system. The Metro was relatively easy to navigate (if you're paying attention)--plus, the Metro cars themselves were all connected so it looked like one long, moving hallway. This didn't add or detract anything from the experience...I just thought it was really cool.

Flower stall kind of weather

Although our time was short, we definitely made the most of it. We walked down the Passeig de Gràcia, which was reminiscent of Fifth Avenue, or the Champs-Élysées: that is to say, it was jam-packed with luxury brand stores and high-end restaurants. I also saw the most extra H&M I had ever seen, its main entrance dominated by two massive marble staircases leading to the main floor. I wasn't really struck with the urge to be Pretty Woman'd out of any of these establishments, so I settled for ogling at the goods in the shop windows.

And speaking of ogling--I could not take my eyes off my surroundings the whole time I was there. I have never seen another place quite like Barcelona before. It had the bustle of a city, but could just as easily fall into a lull reminiscent of a small town, enhanced by the surrounding hillsides. The building facades were intricate and sophisticated, yet charming and welcoming; the whole city perfectly toed the line between quirky and elegant. You may not think that a Gaudí building would match well with its Romantic-inspired neighbor, but in Barcelona it just does.

This readily applies to two of Barcelona's most famous sights, Park Güell and La Sagrada Familia. And yes, Park Güell was indeed the one featured in the iconic film The Cheetah Girls 2. One further insight about Park Güell that everyone else may already know: the 8.50 EUR ticket is for admission into approximately 30% of the park. The other 70% is the trees, trails, and views that are totally free to the public. That said, it was well worth the money to see the work of Gaudí up close. It was also rife with perfect photo opportunities, as my traveling companions can tell you after my frequent requests to have my picture taken.

La Sagrada Familia did not disappoint in its magnificent and unique architecture that was--surprise--also designed by Gaudí. Every nook and cranny had something worth examining and pondering, from the scenes depicting the life of Jesus to peculiar, colorful clusters of balls atop some of the spires. Unfortunately, some of it was under construction, which apparently is by now characteristic of the church itself because it's been that way for so long. Double unfortunately, the price of admission into La Sagrada was a bit too hefty for students traveling on a budget--so if you want to see the interior, booking ahead of time and online is probably the best way to go.

A picture you can taste

Another highlight of the trip was the Mercado de La Boqueria: and not just because of my unwavering love of food. It was a cacophony of sights, smells, and sounds that served as a rapid introduction into Barcelona's food culture. There were stalls of fresh fish, jamón, chocolates, and turrones. The fruit was the freshest and most vibrant I've seen in months, while empanadas and pastries were baked to perfection. I also tried zumo, a juice made of one or two fruits. My friend prepared me for it by saying it was delicious but looked like paint, but I'll let you be the judge of that. Additionally, the zumo and many of the other foods I came across in the market went for reasonable prices; I never spent more than 5 EUR at one stall.

On my last night I was able to meet up with a friend from high school and college (s/o to Marina for waiting in line with me for ramen for nearly 2 hours!). We caught up, shared our respective experiences studying abroad, reminisced about the past, and thought about our future as rising seniors. It was a nice evening that not only reminded me of how fortunate we were to be where we are now, but of how far we'd come as people since our high school days. Seven years ago--or really, even one year ago--I could never have imagined what I'd be doing now, and the circumstances that brought me to this point. All I can say is that I am eternally grateful that I am here, and I have every intention of making the most of this stage in my life.