Barcelona, the Gaudiest City on Earth

Sitting in train stations for absurd amounts of time seems to be my new favorite pastime, and unfortunately most of that sitting has gone down at Barcelona Sants station, one of the least scenic I have experienced. I was hoping to be on my way to Italy right now, but because of the less than stellar help of the ticket office here I am making an unexpected stop in Marseilles which I am sure will still be nice. While I wait for my train I figured what better time to tell everyone about my time in Barcelona!

My mom and I had a couple of days in the city before she headed back home, and I do have to say we saw some really great sites before she left. I honestly knew nothing about Barcelona before we decided to come here, and I was pleasantly surprised by everything the city has to offer. One thing you can't miss as you walk around is all of the interesting architecture created by the apparently famous Gaudi. I am not cultured, obviously, because I had never heard of him before researching the city a bit, but his work is incredible. We explored Parc Gueill (I have no idea if I spelled that correctly) and every detail of that place is perfect. There are so many beautiful mosaics and the structures integrate so perfectly with the natural surroundings. Walking around there you feel like you are in a fairytale land. It is definitely one of the most unique places I have ever been, completely unforgettable.

Gaudi work is also scattered throughout the city, sometimes you just stumbled upon it when you are lost and looking for your hotel. His most famous work, the cathedral in the middle of the city, is by far the most impressive church I have ever seen. Since Gaudi died before it was completed it is still a work in progress, but with the amount of detail that obviously went into its design I don't see how it could be completed in any reasonable amount of time. I wish we had gotten the chance to go inside instead of admiring from afar, but that line went all the way around the building and there is nothing I have less time for than lines.

I do have to say the beach in Barcelona was a bit underwhelming, but it makes sense considering it is man made. The neighborhoods around the beachfront are really charming and it was a nice walk getting there, but if I can't swim in a body of water immediately then it loses a bit of charm. April just isn't quite warm enough yet, but hey I touched the Mediterranean!

Probably the best part of Barcelona was walking up and down La Rambla, Barcelona's version of le Champs Elysees. The area felt incredibly alive, and my mom and I spent the day walking up and down, exploring side streets and plazas, and stopping for drinks. The first place we stopped gave us glasses of sangria the size of fish bowls and I don't think I was sober again the rest of the day. For our final day traveling together it was the perfect way to relax and enjoy each others company, I couldn't have asked for anything better.

Since my mom left I have spent a couple more days in Barcelona trying to get my head back in the game and get some planning done. I have to say it is a little hard to get focused again but I hope things continue to fall into place. Now it's one more quick stop in France before I eat all of the pizza and pasta imaginable and fend off Randy Italian men.