I'm not exactly sure why, but whenever someone would ask me if I wanted to study abroad in Barcelona, I always said no. I wasn't the biggest fan of taking Spanish classes, so I think that since I didn't like the learning the language, I wouldn't enjoy living in a place where they used it. BOY WAS I WRONG! A few weekends ago I went with Colleen to visit one of my best friends Ashia from the U of A. I fell in love the moment I stepped off the plane. Barcelona was amazing. Words cannot describe the feeling you got when you walked out of the airport and saw all the city lights.
The first day we were there, the weather was so warm and nice so we decided to hit the beach. Before we headed for la playa, we stopped at a Tapas restaurant for lunch. Tapas are pretty much little appetizers. The three of us ordered 5 different ones. A tomato and cheese salad, an egg omlette type thing, bread with tomatos and dressing on top, potatos with aioli sauce, and croquettes (fried deliciousness). I cannot put into words how amazing they all were! I wanted to eat them forever.
Eventually we finished up our meal and went to the beach. We layed out on the sand for hours and just soaked up the sun. It was pure bliss. When we got back to Ashia's apartment we brought chips, pico de gallo, and hummus up to the roof of her building that overlooked the city and the school next door. We sat up there for a while just relaxing and hanging out.
That night we went to an Irish pub to listen to some good music and enjoy a few beers. It was a relaxing day, which was good because we did so much the next day!
Saturday was our tourist day. First we walked down Las Ramblas (a very popular street with artists, dancers, shopping, etc.). We stopped by the food market on our walk down the street and got some chocolates, juices (fresh juice smoothies) and calzones. It was all so fresh and delicious.
As we continued to walk, we stopped by a little sidewalk cafe and shared a pitcher of Sangria (red wine that has sat with various fruits and sugar in it for hours). It was such a nice day that we all got tan while we sat and watched the street performers who would come by.
After that, we saw the Gaudi Park, which I personally think looks like a Gingerbread town. The Gaudi Park is home to the famous tunnel that was used during one of the season finale fashion shows on America's Next Top Model.
We walked to the top of the hill and had the most amazing view of Barcelona. We sat there and enjoyed a beer and the view.
Then went to a small Japanese restaurant for sushi! As some of you know, I am obsessed with shushi and have missed it SO much during my residency in Europe. We were so exhausted by the time we got back to Ashia's that we just watched the latest Harry Potter movie and fell asleep.
On Sunday we went to a infamous kebab place in Barcelona called "Bo da B's". Kebabs in Europe are not like they are in America with meat and other food on a skewer. Kababs here are more like buritos with some meat, veggies, and a variety of sauces. Bo da B's was amazing! I couldn't even finish mine because it was so massive. After that we went to see La Sagrada Familia (the famous Cathedral built by Gaudi, but unfinished because he died before the project was completed). It was beautiful! We stopped by a park across the street and had a mini photoshoot :)
After that we went to a different park (not sure of the name) and walked around. There were so many people out and about! It was great people watching.
Sunday night for dinner we went to an Italian restaurant right across from Ashia's apartment. It is so sad, but I have to admit, it was the best pasta I've had in Europe thus far! Even better than the dishes I've had in Italy- the pasta country of the world! Crazy! This restaurant was a mix-n-match type of place. You got to choose what pasta you wanted (they varied from the regular penne and spaghetti to gourmet ravioli with goat cheese and bacon) and then you got to choose the sauce (from red meat sauce to four cheese and custom pesto). I ordered the goat cheese and bacon ravioli with pine nut, sundried tomato, and cheese pesto. Unfortunately, the waiter misunderstood me and gave me my pasta with normal pesto instead. But it didn't matter because it was still delicious! I am curious as to what my correct meal would've tasted like though! I told Ashia the next time she went she had to order it and tell me how it was. Mom- you would've LOVED my pasta. I know how you love your goat cheese, and this was AMAZING!!
We stayed up all night since Collen and I had to leave at 4am to catch our 6am plane ride home. I spent the night studying and skyping with friends. It worked out perfectly because even thought it was late for us, most of my friends were on skype at that point of the afternoon in the U.S. It was sad to leave Barcelona and Ashia...I really didn't want to leave. Unfortunately, I had a quiz to take back in Orvieto and I was NOT about to miss my plane for the second time. All I can say is that Barcelona was absolutely breathtaking, and I now understand why all my friends who have ever studied there never want to leave. Ashia, our friend Lindsay, and I have been tossing around the idea of getting an apartment in Barcelona for the three of us after we graduate and moving there. It's not a very serious idea at this point, but who knows where my life will take me next! I'll let you all know how it turns out. Until then, Adios!
0 comments:
Post a Comment