First of all, we had a bit of trouble figuring out how to share one ticket for the metro. The hostel owner told us we could do that - you get 10 trips per ticket, so it's fine to share. Well, I almost got chopped in half by the machine and Pam got stuck on the other side, totally rejected (see below).
Rejected! Public transportation wins again!
We got on the train, but feel like idiots.
We were putting the ticket in the wrong slot. It happens, okay!
All day Friday, we walked around the city, went to Barceloneta beach, ate Paella, and came home totally exhausted. Here's some pics!
Pam made a friend.
I found a butt tickler.
A cool structure
Looking straight up from below
A fresh fruit stand!
We got a carrot, grapefruit, and orange juice drink - delicioso!
Eskimo kiss for the big cat statue
Topsy taught me this.
Pam in the middle of a beautiful street
Wearing everything I bought that day in order to be the epitome of fashion.
Some guy offers to put you on his shoulders during your lunch break. Cool?
Pretty view in that same plaza
I smell something delicious!
Peeping through the grating on the right... I found the paella cooking.
So we got our own paella and salad.
They often serve these half green half red tomatoes. They're ripe, and delicious.
Es Cristobal Colon!
Fashionista #2
At the harbor. This one's for you, Dad.
The sky seemed like a fairy tale.
Next we checked out the Barceloneta beach -
Happy feet
Super windy!
Getting the sand out of my pockets in order to prepare for...
My epic beach headstand!
Barcelona. Holland, I know you're jealous of this warmth and sun!
Hey, Katniss
Next, we went to see the magic fountain show. Here's some background info!
The magic fountain of Montjuïc's first performance was on May 19, 1929 during the Great Universal Exhibition. The designer Carles Buigas submitted his plans one year before the exhibition and many thought that the project was too ambitious to be created, let alone completed on time. Over 3000 workers were commissioned to work on the project and less than 1 year later the magic fountain was born.
Climbing the steps for a good view. The building at the top is an art museum.
The view looking the other way.
We got there just as the fountains started!
The crowds covered all the steps.
The beginning of the show
Our first spot was behind this tree...
In between shows, people crowded around to take pictures.
Eager tourists
The art museum at the top of the steps. The main fountain is behind me.
This day was unreal!
Happy girls
Sitting on the grass watching the show.
The light on the water made the show fantastic.
The couple in front of us <3
Ta-da!
We called this the "jello bowl"
I made her do this.
The show had all kinds of music from classical to...this!
Back on the metro with no trouble this time, Pam's a public transportation super star.
No comment.
Well that was day 1! We only planned two nights at our first hostel, and needed to figure out where we'd stay the rest of the trip. We had considered going out of town of Barcelona for a night, but hadn't booked it yet. Just to give us a bit of encouragement to get out of the city, Barcelona decided to play Real Madrid IN Barcelona that Saturday night, so all the hostels and affordable hotels were totally booked. Well, Priceline-Negotiator-Pam found an awesome deal for hotel Saturday night in a town called Castelldefels. We thought it was going to be really far away and a huge hassle to get there, but our metro pass let us go there in less than 30 minutes! Not only that, but it was the most adorable beach town I've ever seen with the most gorgeous beach I've ever seen. Let me show you why.
This is not WHY, but I had to do another headstand.
Here she is, this beautiful beach of Castelldefels.
No tourists, nobody trying to sell you coconuts or massages or a scarf that they probably stole from a lady downwind while you sunbathe, warm sand, beach glass, pretty shells, mountains near by, paella on the beach, what more can you ask for?
Happy Pam!
In the distance, the mountain looks like they come to the beach
and almost touch the water.
I think laying out is boring, but even I enjoyed it on this beach!
Lovely
Plus, we got to watch kite surfers.
I want to try this!
At a restaurant right on the beach. Cerveza, ensalada, y pizza to come.
The game was at 8pm, so we decided to head into town and find somewhere to eat and watch the game. Our incredible luck just kept rolling when we found this place -
People ate dinner in the street and watch the game on little TV by the door. It was too perfect!
Cheers from the streets of Castelldefels, and Go Barca!
The kids have the Barca jerseys on at the table next to us.
We did not go hungry on this trip.
Unfortunately, Barcelona lost to Real Madrid that night. Fortunately, we weren't IN Barcelona to experience the sadness.
On Sunday, we checked out the Olympic Canal that was built for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, aka the only other tourist attraction in Castelldefels besides the beach. We saw a paddle-boarding race going on! Oh yeah, we also had to pit stop to take pics in the pretty flowers on the side of the highway. It's similar to jumping out the car on 71 in Texas to frolic in bluebonnets.
Except, we also found a place to rock climb under the highway.
Pam, you're doing great!
In my classic rock climbing outfit
Scaling the highway wall!
Just pretend the van didn't go by exactly that second.
Pretty lady
Lazy days in Spain
Feeling a bit like we were taking high school senior pictures...
So I just got really into it.
Flower pickin'
Canal Olimpic de Catalunya!
On our way into town we found art-rocks in a park,
so we continued our high school senior photo shoot.
Esta caeyendo!
In town, we had a lovely coffee in the streets of Castelldefels. It's so nice to be able to eat outside!
Sneaking a picture of the cute spanish kid next to us.
He was learning his colors via dinosaurs.
Shout out to my Momma
The view behind the town.
We went shopping! Dresses and cereal!
On the way home, Pam wanted to look like a giant.
This picture always makes me giggle.
The next day, Monday, we packed our day full of sight seeing back in Barcelona. We checked into a hostel for the next two nights. Hostels always crack me up, because you meet all kinds of people. One guy tried to give us hitch hiking tips, to which we responded "I think the best tip is don't do it." A couple other guys were there from Canada to see Barcelona play Chelsea on Tuesday (700euro tickets!) because it was on their bucket list.
We hiked up to a tram that took us up to Tibidabo to see a view of the whole city.
Artsy pic #...4?
Yay, tram!
Looking up
This picture obviously does not do the view justice.
At the top, there was an amusement park and a church - interesting combination.
We made it!
Dutch
Spanish
Dutch
Spanish!
Hey, Jesus. He's the highest point on this mountain!
Is my hair blowing in the wind?
Model poses :)
I love the spanish railings, fences, and gates
Huge church and beautiful sky
Inside the Catholic church
Yup, highest point in Tibidabo
While on top of the mountain, we wandered around the trails and park.
Nature!
Warning: we found a playground. We decided to re-enter our childhood. I mean, when else are you on a playground on top of a mountain in Spain? Make them most of it!
Laugh attack
Okay, moving on from the playground on top of the mountain. We did our own walking tour of Goudi's houses. What awesome architecture! No offense architects, but I'm glad you weren't with us, because by this point were exhausted and didn't really want to spend hours learning all the intricate details. That being said, they were awesome to see.
See that church below the flag? That's where we were!
Casa Mila
The famous Sagrada Familia. The picture really does not do it justice.
Shame it was under construction, but still an amazing building.
Paca de Toros Monumental
I like the tiling
Monday happened to be St. Jordi's day, which is much like Valentine's day. Except, I really love the way Spain does it! Men give women flowers, commonly a red rose. Women give men a book! There were stands all over the streets selling flowers and books. Talk about taking the pressure off Valentine's day. America: let's convert. This day is much more simple and enjoyable!
Books and books and books
This boy rollerbladed to his crush's house to give her flowers.
We saw it in action! She was beaming.
That's all for now, folks. I still owe a post on a great bike ride from last week. Also, I'm doing Batavierenrace with the Wave club tomorrow-Sunday. It is a relay race that starts Friday night at midnight and goes until the last runner finishes on Saturday. Check it out!
Oh yeah, new classes started up again after exams last week. Don't worry, I'm still learning too!
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