Although Park Guell was my favorite place in Barcelona (and arguably Spain), I also enjoyed a number of other sites in the city. It is an architectural mecca and there was something new to see on every corner. Por ejemplo:
La Sagrada Familia: This is Gaudi's version of a church, which he was commissioned to build in 1883. Gaudi was buried in the crypt below this church after he was killed by a tram in 1926.
This is Casa Batllo, which Gaudi remodeled for a Spanish man named Josep Batllo. Apparently the inside is gorgeous but there was a ridiculous line and a 16-euro fee to get in, so I was all set. You can find pictures online.
La Pedrera: Gaudi built this for another rich Spaniard. It was later bought by a bank and is used as a cultural center.
Torre de Agbar: As you can probably tell, this is where we part ways from Gaudi. This is one of the newest buildings in Barcelona, and it is the 3rd highest in the city. It houses public works departments and is pretty cool to look at. I made my friends walk really far to see it, so I thought I should include it in my blog.
Ok so I realize this is a pretty non-descript arch and doesn't seem interesting enough to warrant a comment, especially since arches and cathedrals are a dime-a-dozen in Europe. But it has kind of a funny anecdote. When Nina, Ally, and I did some research on this Arch d'Triumf, we discovered that historians have NO idea what this arch was built for. No clue. The Catalan people don't seem too worried about it either. There was a triumph. It's over. Here's the arch. Let's go eat.
Ahh... this is one of many fruit stands at the St. Josep Market in Barcelona. This market was chock-full of fresh fruits, veggies, fish, meat, nuts, etc. I decided to start with one of the more appetizing pictures, so you can be prepared for what's to come.
Those are wild birds (some are skinned, some not so much) that are just hanging there, waiting to be bought. It's crazy how unemotional Spanish people are about their animal products. Everything is presented just as it is, from a rabbit to a bull's tongue...
Yeah, I warned you. It's pretty nasty. But I give these people a lot of credit. They always know exactly what they're eating, no matter how gross it looks.
Exhibit B: Bull heart... Bull blood... Bull Kidneys. But in fairness, not everything in the market was this intense. Here's something everyone loves:
GELATO!!!
Barcelona can be summed up the same way St. Josep's Market can. You experience something new at every corner. Sometimes it's sweet. Sometimes it's sour. Sometimes it's intense. But you are guaranteed to see and experience things you've never imagined. And you'll definitely want to go back for seconds.
And we'll leave it at that for now. I'll be sure to blog again when my parents come in May. Can't wait to see Barcelona through new eyes!
1. Combining my love for chocolate, cleaning and Cordae all at once.
2. Trying to be (and look) mean.
3. Being sassy
4. Loving the Mediterranean, temperate winters, boots, and scarves
5. Eating Spanish snacks... for better or worse
6. Being part of the illustrious "Turkey Team" for Thanksgiving (minus Cait, sorry!)
7. Dancing to and singing every children's song known to man (Momma called the doctor and the doctor said 'NO MORE MONKEYS JUMPING ON THE BED!')
8. Finding my favorite place in the world in Park Guell, Barcelona
9. Dressing up for Carnaval!
10. Attempting to tame Diego, the naughtiest (and cutest) 3 year-old in Spain
11. Making silly faces with 4 year-olds
12. Rediscovering my youth on the swings!
13. Drinking, wildly gesticulating, and talking
