Barcelona Part 2

After a fun night, we awoke to conquer the sites and sounds that Barcelona had to deliver.  We made a quick stop at La Catalinas for a traditional tapas meal, consisting of six cold dishes and six hot ones. The two favorite dishes of the meal were the huevos rancheros and the garlic potatoes covered in olive oil and herbs. We were approached by several American girls after our meal, learning that they too were visiting Barcelona for a few days on there Semester at Sea. Completely stuffed, we now had the energy to head to La Sagrada to witness the massive piece of art by Gaudi.  It was nothing short of breathtaking as each square foot told a different story of masterful technique a century ago.  As a local Canadian told us later that day, “Gaudi never had any meaningful relationships because he was in love with his artwork,” and the church confirmed that passion. The Sagrada was actually so massive that we could not capture a picture with us and the entire building at the same time. The poor photography skills of the fellow tourist taking the picture didn't help either. 

After this we made our way to La Rambla to walk the area where vendors outlined the street and performers tried to shock and awe spectators.  Most memorable was the open market, called La Boqueria where picturesque displays of fruit, chocolate, fish, etc. were amazing.  Capping off the day was a statue of Christopher Columbus pointing towards America, and coincidently pointing straight at our hotel.  Hugh had scheduled drinks with the previously mentioned Canadian local, Joey who provided great entertainment with stories of crazy boyfriends, life in Las Vegas and gave us insight on the local culture.  

 

Sticking to local culture, we took a siesta in order to regain energy for another night on the town.  We had a delicious meal of coconut king prawns and lobster paella at Shoko and as the dinner winded down, waiters quickly removed tables to allow the restaurant to turn into a nightclub.  As mentioned before, the Semester at Sea program had arrived at their first port of the summer and the 1,000 students made the presence known.  Shouting a rowdy USA chant made us quickly realize why people are not always so fond of Americanos.  Regardless, with Hugh by our side, the only option was to talk to any and everyone and get out of our comfort zone.  Barcelona proved to be the city so many classmates have raved about during their semesters abroad as the bustling city, beautiful beaches combined with a vibrant nightlife would satisfy any young adult. 

With an 8:00 AM flight, we had our bags packed and were now off to Ibiza, ready to take on a city known for its beaches and nightlife.  Once again Hugh would be joining us and would be a welcomed addition, as his previous trip to Ibiza would land us a hotel and daytime beach spot.