As a group, we have done a great job of getting from the airport to our hostels and this trip was no different. But this train ride was quite an experience because we had our first experience with pick pocketers. In Europe, you have to be careful of your purses because the pick pocketers are terrrible. In Ireland they haven't been that bad and we feel comfortable. When we got on the bus we were awkwardly greeted with a man and his wife/girlfriend to help us on the train. I knew something was sketchy right when we entered the train. I kept my hand on my purse the whole time because I looked over at the dynamic duo staring down at women's purses as they walked through the door of the train. They kept coming closer to us but I was very persistant to drop kick the man if he came any closer. Thank goodness none of us got anything stolen but it was very interesting to watching this man act like a tourist while his girlfriend checked out the merchandise that was coming onto the train. I kept saying in my head, "You are the people my parents warned me about." We were all very cautious and made sure we had everything closed up and safe from harm.
We arrived in Barcelona Friday morning to a bunch of screaming Smick chicks. I kid you not, there were about 20 of us in the same hostel. There were us Irish Smicks, Rome Smicks, and the Spain Smicks. We pretty much took over the hostel, Casa de Gracia. Our hostel was in the perfect location, right in the middle of town. I wouldn't really call it a hostel but more like a mini hotel. The best part, free coffee and tea downstairs in the lobby!
We took a nap right when we arrived because we were exhausted from The Roost the night before... Maybe it wasn't the smartest idea to go right before our 7:30 flight the next morning. But hey, we only have a few more left! After our nap we figured out that our hostel/hotel would have tapas for dinner but first we decided if we wanted to eat out somewhere else. So we walked around town and didn't really find that many restaurants so we had tapas for dinner! The food was absolutely phenomenal I went to Spain two years ago for World Youth Day and I remember the food being so delicious. So I was very excited to have more Spanish food!
After dinner we all got ready and took over the city of Barcelona. We went to a club called Opium. We had a blast and danced the night away!
Side note: The subway system was super easy and we got the hang of it right away! We got a 10 times usage pass and used it as much as we could! I guess you could say we are all pros at the subways!
The crew waiting for the subway!
So good to see the Rome girls again!
The next morning, we decided that we were going to embrace our inner child and go to the Barcelona Aquarium. It is apparently the biggest in Spain so we decided, hey why not? There were lots of Finding Nemo quotes said and we actually had a blast!
They had the really cool tunnels with all the sharks swimming by!
Just chillin'...
... on the glass window!
After the aquarium, some of the group went back to the hostel and MaryClare and Claire went to the food market. This market was unbelievable and I wanted to buy everything in sight. They had everything from fresh fruit to a meat market to chocolate stands galore!
The best popsicle in the world, kiwi mango!
There was an assortment of fruit juices. Anything from mint coconut to fresh squeezed orange. I had strawberry banana and it was so fresh tasting and delicious!!
There was even a spices counter with all a bunch of fresh spices!
You could smell the fish right when you walked in.. Yuck! We even saw a woman skinning a fish and taking out its guts and bones...
The picture doesn't do it justice but these strawberries looked like the most perfect piece of fruit I have ever seen!
CHOCOLATE, CHOCOLATE, CHOCOLATE, AND MORE CHOCOLATE!!
Since we had such a successful dinner the night before, we decided to have dinner again back at the hostel. This time it was Chicken and Steak Fajitas. OMG! Even more delicious than the tapas...
Then after dinner we went to the "dancing" fountain. It was one of my favorite parts about Barcelona. This fountain was hugeeee and it danced. Fun fact: this is where the Cheetah Girls did their final performance in their 2nd movie!
We were close that you could feel the mist of the water, and at times it felt like I was going to get splashed with a face full of water!
Thanks for being my stand-in date, Huds! :)
"This music makes me want to go change the world!"
So colorful and fun!!
After the fountain, all of the Smicks decided to go out to a club called Razz Mataz and once again, we killed it and danced the night away!
The next morning, we had to say our goodbyes to all the other girls. Their flights were a lot earlier than ours. Since our flight wasn't until later Sunday night, we had a little bit of time to walk around Barcelona for a little bit longer. We first started at the Park De Guell. The park was built by the architect, Antoni Gaudi, who is the same man who built the Sagrada Familia. This park is most famously known for the mosaic sculptures, especially the famous salamander Unfortunately the actual park cost money to go and see so we didn't get to see that much. But there was a perfect view of the Sagrada Familia and the city of Barcelona.
Yes, the Cheetah Girls danced around here too!
This part was where you had to pay so we just walked around the free part for a little bit.
Not far from the park is the famous Sagrada Familia. I have wanted to go to this cathedral ever since I saw an exhibit of it at World Youth Day in Madrid two summers ago. The church is Roman Catholic and was designed by Antoni Gaudi. In November 2011, Pope Benedict consecrated the church as a minor basilica instead of a cathedral. Construction on the church started in 1883 and will not be finished until 2026 (I will be 32 years old.. freaky!) So unfortunately, the church was under construction while we were there but that didn't stop the beauty to shine through.
This is actually the back of the church and the most completed side.
Always gotta get that selfie picture!
You can see the construction on the top as we walked around to the front.
Finally the front! The figures on the outside are the stations of the cross. You can see the crucifixion right at the top and all the stations surrounding it.
It was absolutely beautiful on the inside! The ceilings seemed like the went on FOREVER!
The stained glass was absolutely beautiful!
The main alter
And again.
After we left the church, we headed to the airport. Funny side story, the four of us girls were running on very low sleep and the airport was the funniest part of the trip. We were acting so silly because we were so sleep deprived. I feel bad for the people sitting by us in the terminal and the plane because we were being loud. From the huge burp at dinner to the way Crowe was eating her chocolate, the airport was one of my favorite memories of the trip.
Next up, Munich and Amsterdam!
Adios!
<3 Libby
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