Barcelona

I was lucky enough to meet up with two of my friends from Tufts in Barcelona.  Sami is studying there and offered to show Alexandra and I around for the weekend.  Barcelona was quite overwhelming compared to the other cities I have visited so far because it was so large.  I only got a small taste of the city in my few days and would love to return to further explore the capital of the Catalonia region.  I arrived Friday morning and met Sami in a plaza by her apartment.  She lives right next to a former bullfighting arena turned shopping mall and a large plaza with the National Museum.  

 National Museum

 Former Bull Fighting Arena

After wandering around the area we headed to the Olympic Stadium.  As a huge fan of the Olympics I was thrilled to see some of the main buildings from the 1992 games.  I only wish I had been able to swim in the Olympic pool.

 

Inside the Olympic Stadium

 Olympic Torch

After lunch I headed to La Sagrada Familia church.  The cathedral is massive and towers over the surrounding area.  I waited in line for over an hour but was finally let in to the magnificent space.  Words cannot describe how awe-inspiring it was.  From far away the church looks like a slightly wet sand castle, but up close it is full of detail.  The church was started in the late 1800s by Gaudi and still has yet to be completed. Both the inside and outside are spectacular and are must-sees.  I also went up one of the nativity towers and was greeted with a view over all of Barcelona.  La Sagrada Familia was definitely the highlight of my trip. 

 Side view of La Sagrada Familia

 Front Entrance

 More of the front

 The front entrance scene depicts the Passion of Christ.

 Back Entrance

 The back entrance depicts the Nativity Scene.

 Altar

 High ceilings

 A chapel dedicated to Mary--this is the only part of the Church Gaudi actually finished before he died.

 Atop the Nativity Tower.

 The British children behind me thought these towers looked like candy-floss.

Beautiful windows

Friday evening we strolled down the famous Las Ramblas boulevard, stopping in La Boqueria—a famous market—and eventually making our way down to the sea. 

 Las Ramblas

 Inside La Boqueria

Saturday Sami, Alexandra and I were on the go all day.  I managed to hurt my foot on Friday while standing in line for the church so I limped around to most of our stops.  Dra even called me Grandma Juice.  We started the morning off by visiting Park Guell, another Gaudi masterpiece.  The park has spectacular colored tiles everywhere and a beautiful view over the city. 

 Park Guell

 Colored tiles on a bench

 Overlooking Barcelona from Park Guell

We also saw the Gothic quarter including the magnificent Cathedral.  We walked past many other sights including some of Gaudi’s casas, an Arc de Triomphe knockoff and many government buildings.  After walking along the water we enjoyed tapas for dinner.  They were absolutely delicious! 

 Arc de Triomphe look-a-like

 Dra and I in the park near the arch.

 Strolling along the Mediterranean Sea

 The Gothic Cathedral

Posing near the Columbus statue that points to America.

In all it was great to spend a weekend with my friends and also see some spectacular sights in Barcelona.  The warm Mediterranean weather didn’t hurt either!