Barna!!

Better settle in and get comfy, this is going to be a lot to catch up on! 

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile (mom keeps reminding me I have a readership), I have been super busy here in Barcelona.

It started out with a much needed scenery change. Being in a country with a good chunk meant to be underwater is a bit draining. But of course you don't realize that until you land in Spain and see mountains again. *small sigh of relief*

I have found Barcelona much easier to navigate than expected. Their public transportation system is awesome, and my 6 years of Spanish are finally coming in handy. Haven't had to use it much, but at the end of day three, trying to change my train ticket I communicated about 30% in Spanish. I understand now how much easier it is to learn when you are forced to use it or lose it. 

Quick laundry list of what I've done so far:

Walking tour, where I met a bunch of great people!

Saw Sagrada Familia with a few of those great people.

Found out that Spain doesn't really sell deodorant...

Learned how to make seafood paella at a cooking class. Some of the attendees volunteered to help and I wish they hadn't because of their horrendous knife skills...

Drank some Sangria.

Hiked to the Castell du Montjuic (that was far).

Went to a club on the beach.

Got really lost in the Gothic quarter, which is built on top of the Roman streets.

Made my own tapas sitting on the beach.

Drank more Sangria. Because why not? 

And finally, "survived" the French transportation strike. Really, my train got cancelled so I have to take a four hour detour to Paris tomorrow. Whoooo

Some pictures from my many activities:

On Castell du Monjuic. 

It was a military fort that both protected and controlled Barcelona in it's long history. It was started in the early 9th century, so very old. 

The cooking class

On the walking tour; the last place Gaudi was before he died, and the first area that was bombed at the start of the Spanish Civil War.

In the central square.

I tried to get into the Catedral de Barcelona but I completely forgot about the dress code and got turned away for wearing shorts. I will refrain from getting on my soapbox about that.

Tomorrow my plan is to get some food at la Placa de Boqueria and relax on the beach until my train leaves.

Hope everyone is enjoying the humidity back home, it's been 75-80 degrees and no more than 70% here all week!