A Week of Visitors

This past week has truly been a wonderful one. Not only did I get a taste from home from my visitors, but I was also able to explore Barcelona just a little bit more!

Katie was the first to arrive last Friday from Madrid. One of the very first things we did was visit the beach since she doesn't get to see it often living in Madrid. Afterwards we walked around to get a feel for the city and wondered around the Gothic quarter and down Las Ramblas (a well-known pedestrian street with "human statues"). We went to La Boqueria, the famous fresh-food market off of Las Ramblas. There were many delicious things available like candied fruit and freshly squeezed fruit juices, but there were also many...interesting... things such as freshly killed "conejos", or rabbits. I guess that's what makes it a famous fresh-food market! The next day Katie and I took advantage of the beautiful day outside and explored La Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell. Although I have been in Barcelona for 2 months now, I had still yet to go inside the famous Gaudi church. Despite the admission fee (which is discounted if you have a student ID), the trip inside was well worth it. Although technically not a Cathedral (it recently was classified a basillica minor), it is undoubtedly as large as one. It was interesting to compare the church to the Barcelona Cathedral that I attend every Sunday for mass. It is much less ornate and detailed, but it is very beautiful in its own way, especially in its architecture. Afterwards we visited Parc Guell (another Gaudi masterpiece) at the top of the city. The combination between nature and architecture is truly a beautiful sight and the views of the city are stunning.

On Sunday Katie and I went to mass at the Cathedral and then walked around Barcelona some more until it was time for me to pick up Chris from the airport. Although he had to take 3 transfers to get here, everything went smoothly and he arrived in Barcelona safely. There was no time to waste when he got here becuase soon after he got here Katie had to catch her flight back to Madrid and we had to start preparing for Carnival in Sitges! Sitges is a beach town right outside of Barcelona and they hold a large Carnival celebration on Sunday night and Tuesday night. Everyone dresses up in costumes and it reminded me of Halloween on Franklin Street. We got home from Sitges around 6am the next morning!

On Monday Chris and I went to Parc Guell. Even though I had already been with Katie just two days before, I still had a great time. It really is a beautiful park and I recommend it to everyone who tells me they're coming to visit. It surprised me how low it was on lists in travel books because it provides such a great view of the city. That night we went to Cerveceria Catalana for dinner and Chris tried tapas for the first time! We got all of the traditional ones including patatas bravas, tortilla espanola, croquettas, and pan con tomate. The next day we visited the Sagrada Familia and then headed down towards the beach. We had lunch at this little hole in the wall called Xampeneria where you stand and order your food at the bar. We got a bottle of cava, burgers, and a plate of chorizo. It was absolutely delicious...and cheap! Afterwards we hung out at the beach until (unfortunately) I had to go to class.

Parc Guell with Chris



Wednesday was Chris' last day in Barcelona so we made sure to explore as much as we could of Barcelona. After walking around the Gothic quarter, we visited La Catedral and then headed to Las Ramblas and La Boqueria. After getting some fresh fruit juices from the market (yes, I'm obsessed and will take every visitor there just so I can get some fruit juice for myself) we headed to Montjuic. We took the teleferic cable cars up to the mountain and explored the Castle on top. Afterwards we headed to La Pedrera (Gaudi's Casa Mila house) and finally ended the day eating Chocolate con Churros at a little restaurant in Born. The next morning I had to take Chris to catch the bus for the airport at 5:30 and I was definitely sad to see him go, but I hope he had a good time while he was here.

Well my round of visitors isn't over just yet because Erica lands in Barcelona tomorrow! It's so nice to have reminders of home here in Barcelona. It is unbelievable that I have been here for 2 months now and that I only have 2 more left!

Until next time...