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| La Sagrada Familia |
We (Danairy, Lauren, and I) started off the trip to Barcelona at the airport at 5:30 am on Friday, January 28. We got a little turned around trying to find Hotel Suizo, but after some much needed help from a few kind Barcelonians, we found our way. We checked in and then hit the road. First stop: La Sagrada Familia. Quite a spectacle. This cathedral tells the story of Jesus Christ and was breathtaking, inside and out. We ate a delicious meal at a nearby restaurant then walked along the beach and zoo area. Later Friday evening we decided to walk down Las Ramblas to get a glimpse of the night life. It started pouring rain right as we walked out the door. We walked around for a bit, then settled down at an overpriced coffee shop, boots drenched and umbrellas dripping with rain. We had lots of fun. At one point, the waiter asked what language I spoke and I said French without hesitation. Oh the little things that make you laugh...
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| Font Mágica |
Saturday we woke up and began our sightseeing excursion. First stop: Parque Güell. After a small detour to a castle in the west part of Barcelona, we found our way to the park by taxi. Taxi's are cheap and we used them lots because the metro was confusing and scary. The park was beautiful, but not what I pictured because I thought there would be more sculptures and Gaudi-esque architecture. We took a cab back to the Gothic Quarter and ate an amazing lunch at 7 Portes. Rick Steves said in his podcast that they have the best Paella in Barcelona--he failed to mention that it is probably also the most expensive! They charged for the water! We ate snails as part of our appetizer and the paella
was delicious. After lunch we took a cable car up to Montjuic (we met some funny Czech guys along the way who shared their chocolate with us) and saw Font Mágica. This was probably my favorite part of the trip. That fountain is spectacular. I felt like a little girl watching it. I was in awe the entire time!
After the fountain show we went back to the hotel and freshened up to go out for the night. Night life in Barcelona is great. We didn't stay out tooo late because we woke up early on Sunday to see the Picasso Museum and eat eggs for breakfast! We also walked to Casa Batlló and La Pedrera, two of Gaudi's beautiful buildings. We had a 7 hour train ride back, which, thankfully, felt more like 3 hours! I still cannot find the name of the movie I watched in Spanish, even after googling and re-googling it!
Back in Bilbao... Classes commenced on Monday! The Spanish education system is so weird. I am thankful for the ease of registration at The University of Texas. FOR REAL. It is much easier in America. I am learning how to be more patient and flexible.
Here is some important news:
1. I ate lemon yogurt for the first time yesterday. It is my new favorite food.
2. I am giving Chus computer lessons this semester. It is quite hilarious. This evening I taught her how to open the internet, type "Franco Suizo" into the search bar, press enter, and then close the screen.
3. I'm going to La Mongie Bareges, France to snow ski this weekend!
Agur (that is goodbye in Basque),
Michelle
