Barcelona

We got into Barcelona late at night, and took a taxi to our hostel, since it was so far away. Our taxi driver loved us, and since I speak (horrible, horrible, Italian-laced) Spanish, we had a small conversation, where I became “his English teacher”. He was adorable.We stayed at THE COOLEST hostel! It had a real hippy vibe, like the Allen dorm on campus. People hung out in the common room, rolling cigarettes, sitting on the patio, getting beer from the vending machine, playing crazy instruments, or, in general, bumming around. It was our first non-private hostel: we shared our room with an Irish ex-minister, who was 40...and a dude. I have to admit, it was disconcerting. He obviously wasn’t going to bother us, but it was just odd to be with someone we didn’t know.
Our first day, we decided to walk the city. We took the metro (so, so cheap, and takes you everywhere) to La rambla--the main tourist street in Barcelona. We ran into a statue of Christopher Columbus! We both didn’t feel like doing the sights hard, so we went and had some paella, and then went to the beach. It was so amazing to be on the beach during March! It was sandy (for once), and not too packed. The ocean looked beautiful, and we had a great time walking around barefoot.
We stopped at a few churches, and went to La Sagrada Familia--a church designed by Gaudi. Gaudi is a really influential Barcelonan architect: he sort of reminds me of Tim Burton mixed with Salvador Dali. He has plenty of houses and such littered around the city. La Sagrada Familia has been under construction for 100 years! That sounds like a long time, but most churches take 400 or so (granted, before modern technology) years to build. The main structure is up, and they are filling in the stained glass.
La Sagrada Familia, from the front, looks like it is melting, or like wet sand dripping. The back is smooth, and looks almost Arabic. The spires are topped with FRUIT! The inside is amazing, volumous, and so white. Words can’t describe it, but it feels incredibly peaceful. Definitely my favorite church of this trip (and I’ve seen dozens.)
That evening we went out to see a Flamenco show! It was quite fun--most of the people were drunk. There was lots of Spanish guitar, and two women danced two or three times. There’s lots of clicking your heels very quickly, and grand, slow hand gestures. We drank Sangria, and it was delicious! I’ll have to make it at home.
The next day, we only had a few hours. We went on a walking tour of the Gothic Quarter, where we learned about the history of Barcelona and Catalan. Spain used to be divided in multiple kingdoms, and Cataluna was one of them. Once again, it’s a region that wants to separate. Catalunians are quite proud of their language that no one else speaks (we have separate classes at U of I for Spanish and Catalan). The flag of Cataluna is red and yellow stripes, representing a Catalunian kings gold shield, after he took a wound, and wiped his fingers upon it. The Spanish don’t mess around.
There was surprisingly little talk about the Inquisition. We did visit a sanctuary of 13 white (mother goose!) geese, which is for a 13 year old Christian girl, who was persecuted with 13 trials--they were extremely gruesome. I really want to stop hearing about people being hung drung and quartered--Europe seems to have been a fan. Albert brought up that America is no better--tarring and feathering was a horrible process also.
I didn’t go to a bull fight because I’m morally opposed to them. Take that as you will.
Natalie and I ended our day by getting chocolate milk drink (amazing), Spanish Champagne (made from apples, not grapes!), and real tapas: bread topped with various things. There were dozens of choices! I washed it down with a café au lait (which is not what they call it in Cataluna..it’s a café con leche, which is not nearly as satisfying to say.
All in all, I loved Spain! I just wish my Spanish was better (7 years of studies…); its been ruined by Italian. It wouldn’t have helped anyway: Catalan has little overlap with Spanish! Barcelona had a fun, young, vibe to it--they have crazy night clubs (that we didn’t visit, we’re too cheap), and a really lively atmosphere.