No shortage of things to do or see in Barcelona, that's for sure! I started out at 10:00 Friday with a walk down La Rambla, the most famous (and subsequently touristy) street in Barcelona. My favorite place there, of course, is La Boqueria, the huge food market. I mean, the Mercado Central here in Zaragoza is OK, but this place was insane. They had fruit I have never heard of - I bought a piece of what I think was dragonfruit that was conveniently cut in half and wrapped up with spoon. Perfect snack on the beach later.
After the ramble down La Rambla, I found the Gothic Quarter, and thoroughly explored all of its treasures, including the underground centuries-old ruins of a Roman domus, winery, and dye shop. I told my new Italian acquaintances later how strange I thought it was to have Roman ruins in practically all of the major cities in Spain. Of course, they said 'if you want to see Roman ruins, go to Rome,' which I will do.
I made my way to Barceloneta, the old fishing town, for lunch on the beach. One word: guacamole. I thought it was a Mexican thing, but apparently the Spaniards are fond of the yummy green goo as well. The sand on the beach was odd and sticky. My hostel roommate told me the beaches are fake - built for the 1992 Olympics - but I looked it up later and found that the beach I was on is actually natural. Wonder why the sand was like that then...
The roommate and I went to a Rick-Steves-approved Catalan restaurant Friday night, and I guess the stew was good but there is no telling what kind of meat was in it. New food strategy: close my eyes before trying things in order to taste impartially. I accidentally ate baby goat at the taste test experiment last Thursday because I had no clue what it was. Anyway, the patatas bravas at this place were the best I've had so far. They are basically fried potato wedges drenched in spicy tomato sauce that reminds me of Zax Sauce, which goes to show that not ALL American fast food is bad:)
Saturday was a nice juxtaposition of Gaudí's creations and the natural wonder of Montjuic (a mountain practically in the middle of the city). Sagrada Família is epic - no wonder it is a World Heritage Site. The outside is covered in intricately carved sculpture, and a lot of the architecture outside and inside is inspired by nature, such as the 'canopy' of columns in the main part. It is supposed to actually be finished by 2026, 100 years after Gaudí's death. So basically I have to come back to Spain in 15 years. Parc Guell was originally supposed to be a suburb for the rich in 19th century Barcelona, and while that plan was a failure, the park itself is amazing, with its famous mosaic dragon and curved benches, and the grand entrance that looks like it belongs in Willy Wonka's factory. Who wouldn't want to live here?
Montjuic took less time than I thought, mostly because I chose to skip the tourist trap Poble Espanyol on the advice of Rick Steves. So glad, because then I had more time to sip sangria and enjoy the sunset from the castle at the top of the mountain with some awesome Italians. Got down the mountain just in time to see the light and music show at the Magic Fountain - no clue about the spanish, but I could guess each Disney song by the music, while having interesting life and love conversations with the Italians. Top quote of the night: 'Italians do it better!'....we shall see, in about April. Can't imagine Italy being better than this!
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