Barcelona
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Barcelona has always been the city I thought of going to, but when it came to the point of planning the actual trip I blew it off time and time again. Why? The image of obese tourists in Croqs combined with white socks, cameras dangling against their voluptuous chests, whilst screaming in their native language* to the overwhelmed natives kind of took away all my eagerness somehow. There was always a city trip destination more authentic, original and somewhat more challenging for a cocky traveller like me. Traveller indeed, not a tourist, bitch please. Travellers, those open-minded, wandering souls, children of the earth looking for a journey, not a destination. Open-minded, uhuh.
I’m going to say it so pay attention: I was wrong! This city blew me away.
[*It’s a widespread phenomena that, let’s say, ‘simple’ people tend to scream if someone doesn’t speak their native language, based on the erratic thought that lack of knowledge can be compensated by volume. Circumstances like being situated in a foreign country doesn’t usually clarify the uselessness of this behavior, perceived by the target group.]
I’m going to say it so pay attention: I was wrong! This city blew me away.
[*It’s a widespread phenomena that, let’s say, ‘simple’ people tend to scream if someone doesn’t speak their native language, based on the erratic thought that lack of knowledge can be compensated by volume. Circumstances like being situated in a foreign country doesn’t usually clarify the uselessness of this behavior, perceived by the target group.]
As I went here together with my lovely mother as some kind of a goodbye party before I took off to South America, we had to ‘do’ this city the Spanish way: Mañana mañana. And honestly, there is no better way.
Off course everyone has his/her own version of the list to ‘tick off’ in this Catalonian highlight, which could keep you busy for at least a week. However, the intense summer heat will force you to slow down… not to mention the price tag. Except of the eastern part, Europe can be considered as expensive, but Barcelona takes the lead. Apparently the city council has decided to wash away the country's debts by charging outrageous prices for museums and attractions. So do your homework and choose.
Off course everyone has his/her own version of the list to ‘tick off’ in this Catalonian highlight, which could keep you busy for at least a week. However, the intense summer heat will force you to slow down… not to mention the price tag. Except of the eastern part, Europe can be considered as expensive, but Barcelona takes the lead. Apparently the city council has decided to wash away the country's debts by charging outrageous prices for museums and attractions. So do your homework and choose.
I had my fair share of ‘ohhhs’ and ‘ahhhs’ at the two iconic landmarks every living soul definitely once saw on some flashy travel tv show: Park Güell and the Sagrada Familia, both designed by the Catalan modernist hero Antoni Gaudí. The name of this legendary artist is weighed in gold, and everything the good man once produced has to bring in big bucks right now.
You can also visit (and pay for) Casa Battló and Casa Milá, to name a few. Battló however is easily admired from the outside, and if you don’t care about your Facebook-selfies Park Guëll can also almost entirely be seen standing at the exit. But when it comes to the Sagrada Familia, do yourself a favour and get the hell in there. The bedazzling outside alone is worth undergoing the agony of the tourist-presence described in this intro, grouped in the density of 12 per square meter… but the inside: “…” (indeed, no words).
You can also visit (and pay for) Casa Battló and Casa Milá, to name a few. Battló however is easily admired from the outside, and if you don’t care about your Facebook-selfies Park Guëll can also almost entirely be seen standing at the exit. But when it comes to the Sagrada Familia, do yourself a favour and get the hell in there. The bedazzling outside alone is worth undergoing the agony of the tourist-presence described in this intro, grouped in the density of 12 per square meter… but the inside: “…” (indeed, no words).
Having art as my affordable alternative for heroin, cities like this require a daily shot of some paintings and avant-garde weirdness. I took it at the Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona, MACBA for intimi. The Plaça d’Angel in front of this modern building, crowded by attractive skater boys showing who’s boss made an even bigger impression.
Which is a nice bridge to an important point I want to make: The whole city of Barcelona is an open air museum offering you incredible sights and experiences for free. Choose a district every day and walk. Not only does that prevent you from becoming that obese tourist we all fear, it also allows you to notice all the nice details such as the stunning gothic balconies and facades, grungy street art (some may call it graffiti) and unexpected little squares revealing Spaniards leaning back and teaching us quality of life.
You might end up in the gothic area chewing jámon iberico (the hams that are the specialty of this region), strolling from to grotesque Plaça d’Espanya to the Montjouïc or sniffing up the salt bohemian air in the coastal district Barcelonetta. Try some tapas in a hidden spot close to the harbour or decide to go on a diet instead once you’ve seen the fit bodies of the joggers heading from the Arc de Triomf to the vibrant Parc de la Ciutadella on the beats of the djembé.
Get lost.
Get lost.
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