Europe Part 10 - Barcelona - May 24-26, 2008

Below are just some of the photos from this part. See all of them with high-res versions at Flickr.

169 Barcelona photos - CLICK HERE.




Friday night we crossed the Mediterranean and landed in Gerona near Barcelona.



We stayed in two different hostels in Barcelona; the first night was here because it was near the beach.



We took a late night stroll to the beach.



The idea was to go swimming Saturday morning, but the weather was downright nasty, so we stayed out (I touched it, at least).



The sky is clearing up here, but it was still a bit too chilly.



Looks like someone left some unopened Estrella Damms on the beach. No, we did not drink them.



We were a bit outside the city here, but our hostel for the next two nights would be right in the heart of it.



After our unsuccessful beach trip, we took the metro into town.



Las Ramblas is the major tourist street in Barcelona, and also the best place to go to get robbed.



The first place we wandered into was some cathedral. There was a courtyard in the middle with these.



The inside.



Another candles picture.



There was some sort of parade through the streets.



We had a supposedly traditional Catalonian meal at a restaurant in the city.



Exploring with Matthew was a change, because he actually used maps rather than my strategy of wandering randomly.



Waaay up this hill is the Park Guell. I'm pretty sure we were at least halfway up at the point this photo was taken.



Spied on from above.



Up at the top, the view is impressive. Full-size photo.



Barcelona's location between the sea and huge hills (or small mountains) adds to its charm. Full-size photo.



The next stop after the park would be Tibidabo, which you can find in a previous trip report.



There was a cross atop these rocks that you could climb up for the best views.



All of the buildings and sculptures in this beautiful, unique, and sometimes bizarre park were designed by Gaudi.



Back down in the city, we checked into our next hostel, helloBCN.



Dinner was doner kebob, and Estrella Damm, the biggest local beer. Very weak; stick with the sangria.



The nice hostel bar and lounge was a popular hangout spot.



On Sunday I hit Port Aventura (see the previous trip report), then met up with Matthew back in the city. This was one of a few interesting statues I noticed.



The weather had been nasty all day, but it cleared up for a great night out.



Barcelona was the perfect foil to Italy. Instead of shutting down abnormally early, Barcelona goes non-stop through the night. I noticed some bars had 6 AM listed as closing time.



The city blends beaches, hills, metropolitan skyscrapers, and old gothic architecture perfectly.



I have no idea where or what this was, but the picture came out pretty cool.



Okay, now for the coolest bar of all time. The Museu De Cera (Wax Museum) had a bar attached to it that stayed open after the museum closed.



The name translates to "Forest of the Fairies". Yes, the inside of the bar looks like a forest, complete with stream and wooden bridge.



Additionally, there is this old parlor room.



Sangria is the must have local drink. The thing is, the only people who really get it at bars are tourists. It's more of a mix it yourself for parties (think punch in America). Most places serve it, though, and this bar is more of an international and tourist place anyway, so it's a great place to get it. Basically, you pour in a bottle of (usually cheap) wine, add fresh fruit, sweetner, and carbonation, and you have one of the most delicious drinks ever made.



The wax figures have a good time here as well.



Monday morning we headed straight for La Sagrada Familia. As I mentioned, every building or landmark on this trip had scaffolding on it. La Sagrada Familia gets a pass, however, as Gaudi's masterpiece has been under construction since 1882, and the end is still a long way off.



I've said in previous trip reports that the many cathedrals that are popular to visit across Europe didn't do much for me. This one is the exception. It's absolutely ridiculous.



Perhaps this thing will be finished in my lifetime.



The towers offer great views of the city.



This design is the work of a madman. Gaudi himself worked for over 40 years on it before his death.



Simply dizzying.



This was literally the fifth attempt to get this picture without the camera being off center or somebody's eyes closed.



Gaudi's cathedral makes all the others seem boring.



Don't look down. You'd best bet I had an iron grip on the railing as we descended one of the towers.



I guess they do have services in here.



Here is what it should look like some day.



This is really the only cathedral you need to visit in Europe.



A giant ass and legs is placed randomly in a small park.



Here is another nice park in Barcelona. Under construction, of course.



I had wanted to attend a soccer game on this trip, but it just didn't work out. I did, however, manage to make a stop by the Camp Nou, home of FC Barcelona, and one of the most famous stadiums in the world.



I bought a ticket that let me take a tour of the stadium and visit the museum. I wonder what goes on behind these doors.



In the locker room, it looks like the last game here featured Barcelona's junior team.



Here is the chapel near the tunnel.



Down the stairs to pitchside, where some of the biggest names in the history of the sport have stepped out into an atmosphere that few can compare to.



The Camp Nou can seat 98,772 people. It is the largest stadium in Europe. Full-size photo.



Substitutes and managers get the best seats in the house.



I can only imagine what it would be like to attend a game here.



Moving back inside, you can take a look into the television studio.



Next up is the press room.



Also, the post-game interviews room.



Now THAT is a trophy case. Full-size photo.



Camp Nou gets the stamp of approval from UEFA.



A thing of beauty. Full-size photo.



Up on press row, the commentators and media have a great view of the action.



The club museum is massive, and I could have spent hours there if I had the time. Here a child is photographed in one of the many Champions League trophies.



Another of said trophies.



They do in fact have an ice hockey team at the club, along with practically every other sport.



The club store was of course massive, with every imaginable souvenir.



Okay, well maybe I didn't imagine this, but I approve.



How many of these names will still be in Spain come August? Maybe not many.



I met up with Matthew for one final required activity in Barcelona...



Tapas. An excellent idea, but the kind of thing you can get too easily carried away with.



With that, my time in Barcelona came to an end. I left Matthew (to meet up again 24 hours later), and headed for Barcelona Franca station. For once, the night would not be spent in a hostel.



Instead, it would be spent in here. The Elipsos Trenhotel. A 12 hour overnight journey from Barcelona to Paris.



I had a sleeper compartment, but spent most of the night here in the bar car with a few other Americans and an Australian until we were thrown out at 2 AM. What better way to travel is there? Well, until you get to the actual compartment I guess. Most cramped place to sleep ever. There are 4 tiny fold down bunks crammed into each compartment, and since everyone was already asleep when I got in, I had to carefuly wedge myself in. However, there is definitely something relaxing about the gentle shifting of the train as it speeds through the night. As for Barcelona, it was awesome. I would love to go back someday.

Next Up - Disneyland Paris



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