My mom and I just milked Barcelona for all it is worth.
Busy, busy day. So tiring!
We woke up and decided today would be a good day for sight seeing. It was overcast, so it made the beach a tiny, tiny bit less appealing. After breakfast, we embarked on our journey to see three separate sights: Parque Güell, La Casa Mila, and La Sagrada Familia. I’ve seen all three before with my friends, so that made it easier to know what I was doing in regards to arriving there. It was different because we are staying in a different part of town, but knowing how the metro and bus systems work around here is really helpful. I can thank my friend Cristina for that because she researched all that information before we got here last time. THANKS CRISTINA. The systems are really well planned out and easy to follow though. I think the United States should get the hint because I can’t figure out Philadelphia’s system to save the life of me.
Anyway, first stop was Parque Güell. I already wrote about this place in a previous blog entry, but it’s a big park designed by Gaudi with an amazing view of the city. All three places that we visited today were Gaudi related, and having my mom the artist along with me really helped me learn more about his techniques and his life background. He was an extremely artistic architect. His designs are amazing - I truly love them. This park is one of the most beautiful I have ever been to because it was one of a kind.
After we walked around the park for a bit, we went back to the metro and went on our way to La Casa Mila. It is an apartment building designed by Gaudi. Last time, I just walked around the gift shop with my friends. This time, we entered inside. With the “tour” you get to see the terrace (the roof of the building), the attic (with a bunch of different museum type things in it), and an example of an apartment in Casa Mila. I would lovveeeee to live in that apartment! It was so pretty and well designed. It was modern looking, but this building was built in the 1900s! It’s mind-boggling that someone could be that creative – over 100 years before his time! Then we went into the gift shop. My mom bought a beautiful scarf and I bought a bag! Quality souvenirs. We act like we have room in our suitcases to shop…but we don’t. eeek.
I was dying of hunger by this point, so we stopped at a restaurant. I was so impressed with it! The food was delicious. I got gazpacho of course and “revuelto con champiñones” which is like scrambled eggs with mushrooms. I KNOW MUSHROOMS. But my señora would make it for me a lot and I actually liked them. You can barely taste the mushrooms anyway. My mom got ensaladilla, which is like a potato-salad type thing, and pollo cataluna, which is some kind of chicken. It was good and well needed at this time of day. I was getting cranky…
So finally it was time for La Sagrada Familia. We bought tickets to go inside and I am so happy I did. The line was much shorter this time than the last time I had visited so it was bearable. The inside was breathtaking. Unlike anything I have ever imagined or seen before. Of course it is still under construction. I learned it’s projected to be finished by 2030. I’m determined to see it once it’s done!
So after this full day, we made our way back home. Our dinner was solid – white wine plus an assortment of some cheese, tomatoes, bread, dried fruit & nuts, and a nectarine. Then we went for a walk down by the beach, and now we are just relaxing in our hotel. I’ll probably fall asleep very soon because I have been absolutely exhausted lately. I think the past six weeks of little sleep and lots of traveling is really starting to catch up with me. I won’t let it get to me yet though! We still have until Friday here, then Madrid! Lots of things planned, too ☺ It’s been great.
I love Spain.
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