Walking

Friday was an amazing day! I ended up walking for about 8 hours. When I woke up, I knew I wanted to start to see more of the city by myself and experience the "feeling" of Barcelona. I will quickly go over where I went (the parts of the city). For those of you not familiar with the city, enjoy the names (and follow the pictures- as they show the progression of the day), for those of you who are familiar, be impressed by my walking capabilities : ) ha ha ha! Especially for those of you who know I drive everywhere!

I started out taking the Metro to Plaza de Catalunya. I enjoyed the hussle and bustle of this part of the city more than I did two days prior (when i was experiencing extreme jet lag. I then walked down La Rambla. There were so many street performers and people there. When I got to the end of La Rambla, I turned left and started to walk down El Puerto (the port). It reminded me of a premanade of something of that sort. The best part was, I could walk 1 minute up into El Born and the scene changes completely. I took a detour from my walk and entered into the Museu d'Historia de Catalunya. I get uncomfortable when going into place, because I only want to speak Spanish, but can't communicate what I want- so I usually just walk in quietly (which is new for me) and go where I want until someone stops me. It was not until the third floor (planta) that I was stopped and asked if I had a ticket. At that time, I let myself out. Shortly thereafter I got to the beach and enjoyed a nice 1 hour of relaxation in the sun. I wanted to go into the water, but I was nervous about leaving my stuff.

After the beach, I began walking to the Metro stop (Barceloneta). After talking to Jen, I realized that I had about 2 more hours before I had to be home to take a shower. I was excited to continue walking. I wanted to revisit Barri Gotic and experience the very gothic and small streets and alleyways. This time it was a completely different experience. Yes, I began crying. It was the most surreal experience. I made a very strong attempt to stay away from the streets that had a lot of people, but instead walked the streets that were very quiet and unexplored. I started tearing up when I thought about how blessed I was to be able to have this experience in Barcelona. The idea that I am walking streets that others had walked 700 years ago. I felt so overwhelmed with appreciation that I began to tear up. This place really is amazing!

After walking the alleyways of Barri Gotic, I wanted to walk to see the University that George had told me so much about. Instead of going through the University right away, I decided that I would first walk around Eixample izquerda to hopefully find the restaurant that I was suppose to meet the boys at on Wednesday night. Yea, I PASSED IT AGAIN without recognizing it. On my way back down the other side of the street, I walked right into it. I took the next 10 minutes to take some ridiculous pictures of myself looking at the map (literally laughing out loud at myself the whole time thinking how ridiculous I must look setting up my camera for this picturess). After my quick modeling shoot, I had about 20 minutes before I had to meet the girls for dinner. I took that time to walk through (very quickly) the University. Afterwards the girls and I met Stefan, Maribel and Isa at a restaurant. They did not have any chicken so I ended up having my first full meal - made with FISH!!! I didn't die : )


This is at Plaza de Catalunya. They don't just enjoy they pigeons- they FEED THEM! They are everywhere. However, this boy was so cute feeding the pigeons with his mother (in the background his father was taking the same picture I was.



This lady was too cute, I had to put her on here.









A picture of a picture- nothing more perfect. This is also in Plaza de Catalunya walking towards La Rambla (which is to the viewer-of this picture- to the right).



The beginning of La Rambla










A guy standing on top of the Metro stop at La Rambla.











La Rambla








They were selling guinnea pigs, many different kinds of birds, and other small animals on La Rambla. (La Rambla is a pedestrian walk way that's very large with many different kinds of vendors on either side. Even more to the side is a street going either direction. It is really pretty because it's lined by trees the entire way down- all the way to the port.


Street entertainer- I thought Ivan would like this guy a lot.










I saw her and thought- the Tropicana girl










This street entertainer was interactive : )











Her costume was very beautiful. I thought it fit with the whole idea of Barcelona (or Europe at least). There were many more street performers, but these were some of my favorite.









A street that intersects with La Rambla- I just loved the horse and carriage. Reminds me of being downtown Chicago with my family getting ready for Christmas. The big difference here is that it's 90 degrees and I am in Europe : )








Some pretty building by the port. This is where I think the city begins to look very San Diego (for lack of a better comparison).







Statue in the middle of the street. The sun was shining on it, so I couldn't get the whole thing with out catching the glare.









A really pretty bridge (or at least I think so- I like the color - Golden Gate) to the port.







The promenade - in this picture, the sea is to the left.




This is what I meant by a one minute walk inland and the scene totally changes. I know to many this would look dirty or gross, but I just found it facinating. I was about 400 yards away on the other side of the street and walked all the way over to take a picture of it.

Another pretty side street on my way back to the promenade.











This is one of the streets I had to cross over to get back to the port.












This is one of the exhibits from the Catalan Museum. The floor that I snuck into was about women's history (I loved it). Seriously though- Barbie : ) (?)










The bathroom in the museum- it was so pretty. No urinals, only stalls- Plus I wanted to remember that I was on the trip and hadn't taken any pictures of myself and anything- so I took the opportunity to use the mirror (and I know everyone wanted to know my outfit choice for the day).

I finally made it to the beach (this is called Barceloneta). This picture speaks for itself.






A cartoon on each side comically asking people to pick up their shit : ) This one is obviously my favorite, because just about everyone smokes here (and they do it everywhere).









"Un massage"- Anna was my beach masseuse. We had quite a fun time trying to negotiate price and what she was going to be doing. I took a picture to show everyone (because I didn't think you would believe me that I got a massage on the beach. It was pretty good, though it was more of an exfoliation given the conditions.

Reminded me of my niece- the monkey. I can't wait to go to the beach today with my friends- I am totally going to climb this thing!




Another pretty building. Yes, that is my map in the corner trying to shield my picture from the sun.






I got into taking a lot of pictures of doors on my excursion through Barcelona on this day. This is on the street walking towards Barri Gotic.











This is an example of a street in Barri Gotic (though this picture was taken from a larger street).











An archway- I guess there are many fans of this website who enjoy these- I am one of them!











There is nothing more exciting when you run into a place you have already been, but got there a completely different way. I think on day 2 I took a picture by an old wall when I was walking with Cristina. This is the wall. Seriously, my heart started beating fast when I realized where I was.

One of the most beautiful alleyway/streets that I walked down in the Barri Gotic. This is the street to the left of the wall in the last picture.









One of the streets I started to cry while walking through.











Another door.












I dunno- I just loved it.










I was so tempted to get something from this panaderia. Those are meringues that she is putting in the window (I think- I couldn't translate it).



A very delicious smoothy.











This is now Eixample










A door that opens to an intersetion in Eixample.











This is Casa Julia- This is the restaurant that I couldnt find on Wednesday when I was meeting my friends from SF. After my second try during the daytime, I found it.