Jump On It: Barcelona

After the party last night, Marta, Josep, Marta's father, and I headed to Barcelona. Barcelona is more than four hours away from Arturo and Elisa's house. So I took a nap, wrote the post for yesterday, and took another nap. I awoke to the city lights of Barcelona illuminating the horizon. As we got closer the city lights and palm trees greeted me. Since it was midnight and we'd been very busy partying, I pretty much went straight to bed when we got home. 

This morning Josep showed me how the underground train from their house to Barcelona worked. He had to take the same train to work. It was easy to coordinate. When I did get to Barcelona, I emerged from the underground part of town to see... Drum roll please.... STARBUCKS! Ahh, you can only go so far from Starbucks. 

My plan for the day was to use the hop on- hop off buses to see Barcelona. Or as I like to call them, "Jump on it buses!" Now that song is stuck in your head. Marta had suggested this to me this morning. I also thought of when I was in New York what a great way that had been to see the city. At least it gives you an overall view and history before you explore on your own. Also, not going to lie, I was exhausted and the thought of walking around sounded terrible. 

So I found the bus in the main plaza- Plaça Catalunya. There were two routes, east and west. I started with the west. The bus was crowded with people from all over the world. I plugged my headphones in and began to hear all the history of the cities and certain sites we went past. We drove past modern art, ancient buildings, architectural phenomenas, and great views of the Mediterranean. I honest to goodness was confused when they were talking about the mountains of Barcelona. I searched and searched from my seat on the top deck. I finally realized they were talking about those tiny hills. I smirked, not sure they count as mountains. But we ventured up them to see the Olympic Stadium, Camp Nou (a famous football area), museums, and palaces. The west section took two hours. I was feeling more awake and ready to go by the time it ended. Considering I never got off the bus, I would say I mostly "hopped on" that section. 

The bus returned to Plaça Catalunya. I got off and switched to the east bus. (I promise I walked today. Just wait.) I was more excited for this tour because it goes along the coast of the Mediterranean. If you don't know this about me, I'm a water enthusiast. I absolutely love it. So the ocean? Bring it. All day. I got off the bus when it reached the ocean front. I smiled as the cockatoo birds sang from the palm trees and the waves lapped at the warm sand. I was getting a quite bit hangry despite the views. (Hangry: an adjective: a state of anger caused by hunger.) So I decided first things first was to find food. The beach front was covered in restaurants. But I wasn't looking to spend that kind of money or time. So I found a small supermarket, bought some food, and took of my shoes. Yes exactly like that. Because you can't walk in the sand with shoes on. It's just wrong. So I sat on the beach and soaked up the sun. People were all over. Some were testing the water and shrinking away when the cold water came forward to hit their toes. Some couples were using the opportunity to hold hands and take pictures. Children ran and played. Old men played chess together as elderly women drank their wine and gossiped. I was a bit frustrated though because I felt like it should have been the iconic beach moment. But I wasn't feeling the iconic beach moment vibe. Instead I stared at the waves and was frustrated at why I wasn't feeling peaceful. 

As I wondered, I turned and saw a man. He was crying holding something in his hand. His tears were quiet but shook his body. He had white daisies in his hands along with the other object. I realized the other thing was a ring. I realized this because he tossed the daisies and the ring into the ocean. I observed him watch the ocean steal his pain in those objects. I have no idea what his story was, but I wondered about the beach. How many people have sat at the front of an ocean and wondered about love, or loss, or faith, or life, or whatever else? What is it about the beach that draws these things out of us? I don't know. But I began to think maybe I was wrong trying to feel peaceful. Maybe the water and the sand are to make you realize you just need to BE. BE sad and cry unashamed. BE happy and laugh unashamed. BE in love and kiss unashamed. It's okay to BE whatever you're being, but just do it full heartedly. Imagine a world were everyone did that all the time and not just at the beach. 

After my break at the ocean, I jumped back on the bus. We contined on. I got off at a marketplace. Now, this market place is massive. The audio guide said it was considered the biggest flea market in Western Europe, I believe. It was three stories of stands packed full with items ranging from clothes, to books, to headphones, to... Well everything. Men shouted about how great their products were. As I walked by they tried to lure me in to their sales, promising discounts for "pretty American." I smiled and walked on. Except for one stand of handmade pottery. I asked the man how much a little cup was, excited at my chance to bargain. He said one euro. I took a step back. No way was I bargaining that low of a price. Done. I contined to walk around the market. I loved every aspect of it. I revealed in watching the quick bargaining, the hustle and bustle, and the organized chaos. Amazing. 

I went back to the bus stop to continue the east loop. The bus wove through the streets of Barcelona once again. The next place I got off was the Basílica de la Sagrada Família. Oh my goodness. Where to even begin... I was a bit hesitant to go inside because it was a bit expensive. But I decided I might as well. I would do it three more times.

A little history. However, I recommend you look into/ or go to, this spot. Now for history, an excerpt. If you don't care about history, skip this paragraph. 

Construction of Sagrada Família had commenced in 1882 and Gaudí became involved in 1883, taking over the project and transforming it with his architectural and engineering style, combining Gothic and curvilinear Art Nouveau forms. Gaudí devoted his last years to the project, and at the time of his death at age 73 in 1926 less than a quarter of the project was complete. Sagrada Família's construction progressed slowly, as it relied on private donations and was interrupted by the Spanish Civil War, only to resume intermittent progress in the 1950s. Construction passed the midpoint in 2010 with some of the project's greatest challenges remaining and an anticipated completion date of 2026, the centenary of Gaudí's death. (Wikipedia.)

Now, Gaudi's work cover Barcelona. You've got a fairly good chance at guessing correctly if you blindly point and say "Gaudi." But this was his master piece. Which ironically he never saw finished because he was hit by a tram and died. Luckily, he had finished the crypt and was buried there. His masterpiece is not yet finished. So as you explore the church, it continues to be constructed. 

Anyway, I bought the ticket and entered the impressive building. The outside alone is worth the trip. One side depicts the nativity scene while the other side of the building shows the Good Friday scene. But when you go through the doors, it takes your breathe away. I can promise you, you'll be amazed. Stained glass windows cover the walls, going from red to purple in the order of a rainbow. Columns shoot into the sky and then fold into the beautiful ceiling. The alter is set in the middle with a statue of Jesus on the cross illuminated by light hanging above it. It's crowded with tourists eager to see the works of art. I'm always kind of wondering how churches like this can still be uphold a church duties and such while also being a tourist attraction. Well, I was very surprised when I came around a corner and it was blocked off. Two guards stood there. They informed me this was for prayer and if I wanted to use it I may, but please respect the area. I was very pleased to see in the midst of all the chaos of construction and tourism, people were still praying in small chapels. This is easily the most impressive cathedral I've seen on this trip, in many ways. Well done, España. 

I also went up a tower. It gives a spectacular view of the city. It's also very neat to be in a tiny tower of such a massive church. Awesome.

After the museum in the basement of the cathedral, I headed out. I could go on about that as well. It is quite amazing. But I'm quite tired and this post is getting long already. So if you ever want to hear more about... Well any of my trip, let me know! 

I rode the bus the rest of the way, ending in Plaça Catalunya. I slowly worked my way back to the train, and headed back home. Marta was home already. She and I discussed traveling, flying, Alaska, Spain, home and much much more over dinner. She is a pilot as well. She told me stories of her and Arturo and Elisa adventuring. They've been friends for more than ten years. We talked about how different places are so accepting of new people in life, while others are very hesitant. All in all, a very strong interesting woman. They say you can tell how much a person is living in life by how far back they have to go to tell a story. Well Marta doesn't have to go far because she lives life. I'm very lucky to have such a great host, but also a new friend. 

And as always with the adventure, to be continued...