Hello all,
So this post comes about a month after our visits. But school has been pretty hectic. ANYWAY, Barcelona! We arrived in Barcelona and went straight to our hotel, Hotel Alimara- very very comfortable and luxurious hotel. It was a well-needed break after the first 2 cities. We basically crammed Barcelona all into one day- early in the morning we started off by going to Parc Guell, one of the highest points in Barcelona and to visit Gaudi's creations in the park. We headed down to Casa Mila afterwards, where we had breakfast at Starbucks, sitting outside, of course, right next to Jimmy Choo and across from Casa Mila. It was pretty awesome. After breakfast we visited two other houses of Gaudi, and from there we ventured to La Sagrada Familia. Now, some history: La Sagrada Familia was created by Gaudi, who was very pious and who rejected all the material wealth, thus creating the grotesque building. This building was the last thing he did in his life, and he did not expect to complete it. His expectation came true, as he died whilst constructing it, but he had already completed the majority of it. La Sagrada Familia is undergoing construction now because there are those who want it finished, although there are others who believe it should remain as it was at the time of Gaudi's death. After that we headed to Placa de Catalunya and walked down Las Ramblas- which was an experience in itself. There were outdoor pet shops, street performers, artists, flower shops for a good mile and a half down one road. We wandered off to do some shopping at the Bari Gotica and we ran into Santa Maria del Mar and Placa del Rei. We also ventured into the Picasso Museum (Picasso considered Barcelona one of his homes), and after that we went back to Las Ramblas and walked down to Port Vell, where we walked on the pier and went to the Aquarium. We had dinner after that in a very nice (and expensive) restaurant, and ventured back to the hotel after a VERY LONG DAY.
Next day- packed up all our stuff and headed to the Parc de Cituadella for a walk, and then caught our flight to Marrakech!
Our greeting in the hotel room upon our arrival. True four-star style!
It was seriously an amazing stay.
The ultra-modern bathroom.
The outdoor escalators to Parc Guell.
At one of the highest points in Parc Guell, overlooking Barcelona.
You can see la Sagrada Familia from here!
Climbing up some monument with the cross that looks like a "T"
Antonio Gaudi's amazing murals.
Yet again, Gaudi's impressive and grotesque looking architecture at Parc Guell.
In front of the serpent-y fountain.
Another of Gaudi's buildings-la Casa Mila.
La Sagrada Familia, under lots of controversial construction and expansion. One of Gaudi's most famous creations.
La Sagrada Familia.
The Three Wise Men on the facade of the back of la Sagrada Familia.
Another Gaudi building- No. 35
Placa de Catalunya- start of the famous Las Ramblas
One of the dozens of street performers on Las Ramblas.
I totally don't remember where this was.
Catedral -also apparently going through extensive construction.
I THINK this is the Placa del Rei
Santa Maria Del Mar- very impressive cathedral.
Tribute to fallen soldiers outside Santa Maria del Mar.
The lions right by Port Vell.
My dress prevented me from totally getting on the lion. Oh well.
Port Vell- this picture doesn't do it justice. It was pretty amazing.
Barcelona Aquarium- apparently the largest in Europe but it was definitely more like a 25 minute trip!
WHERE'S NEMO?
Funniest looking fish ever.
SHAAAAAAAARK!
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