The Dawg's Abroad (or, 'La perra está en el extranjero.'): "BARCELONA!! Y U NO SPEAK SPANISH??" (Part 1 of 2)

Here, I have composed for you a list of the things that I had upon returning from five days and four nights in Barcelona:

$12 USD in my checking account
three or four extra pounds (just in time for beach weather, yay...)
a cold and a cough
a very special souvenir for my American mama that nearly got seized by airport security (it's a surprise!)

And, most importantly:

the most significant, enjoyable, and lasting memories that I've made on this trip thus far

Truthfully, it's been a struggle to even begin this blog about Barcelona, because I feel as though my words won't do it justice. I can't adequately describe everything that I was fortunate enough to see and experience (and eat), or how quickly infatuated I've become with "Barca," as it's affectionately called. What I can tell you is that if you have an open mind, two feet, and a pair of comfy shoes, Spain's second city will almost certainly enchant you as well! Here are the highlights:

Taking the Metro

Anyone who knows me can vouch for the fact that I have absolutely no innate sense of direction. I get disoriented walking in the front door and exiting out the back. For this reason, my initial reaction to the elaborate, 11-line and over 150-station subway system was pure terror. The first time we navigated the subterranean labyrinth I had flashbacks of myself in the first grade, when I got off at the wrong bus stop and cried the entire fifteen-minute walk home. However, Barcelona's metro connects to just about every place my group and I visited during our stay, and with the T10 pass we managed to get around easily with ten rides for just €8,25. Plus, at every turn and station platform there are color-coded route maps that show transfer locations, line numbers, and end stops, so with a little luck and through the incredible power of reading, I made it out alive. ...Although I did get stuck in a metro gate with Nolan for several humiliating minutes.

Gaudi's Sagrada Familia

You have to wake up early to get in line to see architect Antoni Gaudi's remarkable, unfinished cathedral, but once you're inside it's completely worth it. His unique and unusual architecture can actually be found all over the city but the impressive Sagrada Familia is certainly one of the most notable. The ground breaking of this impressive Roman Catholic church took place in 1882 and after taking the reins in 1883, Gaudi labored on its construction for 43 years until his death. Now, construction workers busy themselves behind the barricades as tourists snap shots of the finished pieces, which are an eclectic combination of Gaudi's design and Gaudi-inspired design.

Although La Sagrada Familia was consecrated by Pope Benedict XVI just recently in 2010, and themes throughout the decoration include words and images from the liturgy, as a Catholic I'm going to say: I just don't get it. Especially in stark comparison with the incredible and ancient Catedral de Sevilla, La Sagrada Familia to me seems less of a church and more of a fun house. That's not to say the architectural and design work isn't impressive, but I think the sheer novelty of Gaudi's concept is the most interesting. It is certainly like nothing I have ever, ever seen before.

Parc de la Ciutadella

When I mentioned to be sure to bring a pair of comfy shoes to Barca, I meant it! Even though the metro is fantastic, there is just too much to see above ground. One example is the Parc de la Ciutadella, a gorgeous city center that we passed through on our self-guided tour. Here, father's pushed toddlers in strollers around a shady grotto, mom's puffed on cigarettes and walked their dogs. A gang of young boys kicked up dirt playing a rough game of fútbol, while nearby younger kids swarmed around a Gazebo laughing and shouting in fun, as kids do. We took a moment to stop and rest our feet, enjoying the sun and admiring the view...