Wow. What a weekend! First things first, I LOVE Barcelona. It is easily my favorite city in Spain so far. Catalan is a language from another word, but we all eventually caught on to some of it. It's a mix of Spanish and French kind of? For example, calle is carrer, and próxima is propera. We should kick it back to the beginning of the story first.
So my travel group flew to Barcelona very early in the morning around 7 am. The flight went super well and passed quickly. We arrived in Barcelona a little before 9 am, and from there, we took a bus and a train into the city because it's huge. My group and I checked into the hostel, which was awesome by the way, and we headed toward the Sagrada Familia. We met with my cousin and her friend there which just made my weekend. I missed my family so much, and even though I don't see this cousin often, it was really nice to see someone familiar that I knew and loved. I *might have* shed a few tears. After I was done being dramatic and emotional, we entered into one of the most, if not the most, beautiful place I have ever seen. Pictures do not do the Sagrada Familia justice at all. It is so grand and has the most amazing stained glass windows. The windows are divided into areas and done by colors, so you'll see blue light in one area and red or orange in another area. The lighting is just other worldly, and I couldn't capture it's true essence on camera. It's really one of those places you just have to see.
After that, we walked to a Mexican food restaurant called Mexcla and wow. Just wow. That guacamole and those carne asada tacos made me feel some type of nostalgia. It was THAT good and tasted just like home. We made our way to Park Güell where we got a great view of Barcelona all the way to the beach. Our little group just walked around here, took pictures, and soaked in the sights of Barcelona. After this, we went to the Magic Fountain of Montjuic where we watched a light show from within this HUGE fountain. This was just the icing on the cake to a really great day. Side note: In total, we walked 10 miles that day.
We went to bed early Friday night because the plan was to go hiking on Saturday morning, but the temperature at the mountain was 32 degrees with rain. We decided not to risk getting sick and stayed in for the morning. Once we got going, we went to La Boqueria (a market) by La Rambla to chow down on some lunch. This place was so cool. The animals in the seafood section were still moving on their ice slabs, so you know that stuff was pulled out of the ocean that morning. I ate an empanada, a corn dog, fried cod, french fries, and ice cream at this place. My inner foodie was dying if happiness. We went to the port after this where we sun bathed and took some pictures. From here, the group went onto the beach, but I went back to the hostel for a Skype interview! I was being interviewed to be a PreLaw ambassador, and I will get the email next week if I got it. I'll post on Facebook as soon as I get some news! I met back up with the group for a celebratory burger afterwards. My cousin and her friend met us there too, and we all headed back to the hostel after to get ready for a night out. Side note again: I dipped early because I made the mistake of wearing heels to a discoteca. Never again.
We mournfully packed our bags up Sunday morning and checked out of the hostel (they held our bags for us until we left). None of us wanted to leave because we had so much fun. Nevertheless, we went to Arc de Triomf and Parc de la Ciutadella. The park had this amazing fountain/statue of Aphrodite. It was completely fantastic, and I have never seen anything like it. The fountain flowed over a mossy structure and ended in a pool. Right by that, a group of Barcelonians who were a part of a Swing group were dancing in a gazebo which reminded me of my grandpa because he likes that music. It was really cool. We grabbed lunch in the Gothic quarter, and I had steak (bless up) and patatas bravas (spicy potatoes). They weren't spicy though, but I enjoyed it just the same. My cousin and her friend left us for the last time here. I really didn't want to say goodbye to them because it was so nice having them around that weekend. Especially my cousin because I feel like we connected in a way we haven't before which is really special. I am looking forward to visiting her in England (hopefully) and seeing her over the holidays this fall. My group went to the port area again where we watched a band play. They did so good that I HAD to buy a cd! I can't wait to play it in my car in America and look back on a great weekend with great friends.
We went to the airport after this, and here is where the story takes a turn. The people in my group got to check-in online through our airline, but I didn't get the email to check-in online which means I had to check-in in person. I go to do that, and the person says I am late for check-in and can't be allowed on the flight. It had already closed, and there was nothing I could do (the flight was delayed btw). I didn't realize I had a specific check-in time to meet, and they didn't mention it when we flew out of Seville. Looking back, this wasn't that big of a deal because all I had to do was buy a ticket for the next flight and leave later than my group. At the time though, my anxiety took over, and I was in full on panic mode. I was bawling, couldn't breathe, my hands were shaking. I have no idea what I would have done without my roommate because she is so understanding and helped me talk to the people to figure out how to fix the situation. They wouldn't talk to me until I calmed down, but I quite literally couldn't do it. I wish that when I am in situations like that I could calm myself down, but it's nearly impossible. I called my parents, and my dad thankfully talked me down. He reasoned with me and helped me to understand that everything was okay since my anxiety wouldn't let me see that at the time. All went well though. My later flight was delayed due to the air strike in France, so I didn't leave Barcelona until 10:30 pm which put me in Seville at 12 am. Shout out to my roommate for waiting an hour at the airport for me. All in all, Sunday night at the airport was a great learning lesson for me though, and you can sure as hell bet I will always be super early every time I have a flight from now on.
I skipped my first class on Monday because I was physically and mentally exhausted, and all I did yesterday was sleep.
Right now, I am currently looking forward to my roommate for Lubbock and my parents coming to Spain THIS FRIDAY!!!!!! I AM SO HAPPY AND FULL OF LOVE AND HAPPINESS THAT MY HEART COULD BURST. I cannot wait to see them. My next blog post will update their arrival and our weekend trip to the beach! (if I can find time to write because I'll be super busy with them)
xoxo,
Caroline
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