Adventures in Barcelona-Day 1

This morning I woke up to find myself berthed at a port in BARCELONA!!!!!!!!!! My roommate and I jumped out of bed, threw on some clothes and ran outside. The view from the 8th deck of our ship is amazing. Barcelona is built on a slight hill so you can see the entire city in one panoramic view from the top of the ship. We scarfed down some breakfast and sunscreened up for our first great adventures.

 

First of all, I am going to warn you that this blog is going to be extremely detailed because so many of you have been telling me that you are living through me on this trip... so here goes.

 

Our ship is berthed at Port A in Barcelona, Spain. In order to disembark the ship we have to go down through an airport like building and walk across a 1.2 mile bridge. (GREAT way to burn off the breakfast you just ate AND to gaurantee that you will get sweaty before you even get into town.) It is a wonderful 75 degrees here today and the sun is shinning brightly. Before we disembarked, a US Embassy representative got on the ship to discuss the dangers of the city and certain areas that we should avoid. EVERYONE has been warning us about pick pocketing. Thanks to my friend Nikky... I have an awesome purse that sits over my shoulder, has a pouch, a zipper and a lock on it. I only took the essential things that I would need for the day and left with the mindset that I might not return with the things I brought.

 

Anyways... after the mile walk to get off of the port area, my four friends and I made our way to La Rambla Calle. It is the main street in town where there are tons of shops and street performers. It was incredible because you could actually see who the pick pocketers were! They eyed you up and down and as soon as you made eye contact with them they would cover their face with a newspaper or turn the other direction. Soon after finding this incredibly long street, my friends and I went to a house designed by Gaudi himself! It is such an interesting design. You should look it up... it's called Casa Batllo. It is simply amazing and unique. We didn't go inside, but it was still cool from the outside. Next, we made our way up to the Ciudat Central (center of the city) where we watched the current protesters who are camped out in the roundabout in the plaza. They are protesting the government's actions in Spain. There is a 21% unemployment rate and the people are demanding change. Funny enough... there are birds all over this plaza. It was like a Mary Poppins movie. The birds covered the ground to such an extent that you couldn't walk. My friends and I found out that my roommate Amanda has a fear of birds... and soon enough someone scared the birds and they all took off flying at once. I have it on video. It is amazing. haha.

 

Soon after this, we decided to go to La Sagrada Familia. Look this building up as well. It is breathtaking! This is a cathedral that Gaudi was working on before he died. His death resulted in an incompletion of the project and just recently the government has decided to continue building it. The view is simply astounding. It is 12 euros to get inside... I might be going back soon because I really want to look at the architecture inside.

 

One of the more interesting notes of my day... When my friends (Randy, Amanda, Kelly and I) were attempting to figure out the metro for the first time, we were kindly helped by a homeless man. He came up to us at the screen as we all stared in confusion. He was so helpful. He spoke English and he was the friendliest person I have met in a long time. I don't know how to describe it, but there is something about traveling in foreign countries that puts you in new situations where you are forced to just go with the flow of things. Don't get me wrong... I am extremely cautious and always have my guard up, but there are times when you truly need the help of others (Even if he is a homeless man) and you just have to accept it. He told us that we were in the wrong station and he walked us to the new station we were supposed to be in. He warned us about pick pocketers and he just started talking about his day and how he hopes that we enjoy our stay. While hesitant, I was so glad he helped us. He will be one of those random people that stick out to me in my memories of this trip.

 

After getting back to the ship that evening around 5:30, I had to quickly get ready to head out again to go to a Flamenco show at 5:45. I was kind of looking forward to the show, but for the most part I was not expecting very much. We got to the show and sat down to a four course dinner and consecutive show. I barely remembered to eat because I was so mesmerized and enthralled by these Flamenco dancers. I video taped so many of their dances because I simply loved the show. I know this sounds crazy, but it made me tear up because I enjoyed it so much. (by the way... The second course they served us was Paella. **Reed... look it up and see why I didn't like it... haha)

 

After the show, Randy, Kelly and I went out to explore the city again. We found a cafe outside of town and decided to sit down for some drinks. I finally got to have my cafe con baileys that I have been missing for an entire year. I was so happy! Funny story: this lady was walking by the cafe with a mini white dog. Kelly commented on the cuteness of the dog and went over to it. I was the only one in the group who could speak Spanish so I served as the translator for the group. The dog's name ended up to be Randy. Randy (the person) found this hilarious and began to have me explain to this couple that his name is Randy too. Soon enough another group sitting at the same cafe became involved in our laughing conversation. We spent the next 3 hours sitting and talking with these Spainards about their life and their hometown and the futbol teams and just life in general. It was the coolest thing! I did a lot of translating, but these men spoke decent English as well. Their names were Carlos, Diego and Luis. We all took a group picture at the end of the night and then headed home. I learned so much about Spain and the culture just by sitting and talking with these people than I have ever learned in a classroom.

 

We headed back to the ship and crossed the mile long bridge once again and finally got back to our temporary home for the remainder of the voyage. I am so glad that I have this opportunity. When I stepped off of the ship today I just couldn't stop smiling. Suddenly all of the sea sickness and loneliness and second guessing myself vanished. I had an awesome day and I can't wait for another one tomorrow. It is now 222 in the morning here... so I need to get some sleep. Thanks for reading this mini-book/blog entry! I will keep you posted on exciting happenings throughout my trip. I have 2 more nights and 3 days left here, then it's one day of sailing until we arrive in Italy for the next 6 days. I can't wait!