Next stop - Barcelona, Spain
Via Trains from Paris Gare du Nord to Montpellier, Montpellier to Estasion Barcelona Francia
Total Travel Hrs: 10 (including travel from hostel to train station and waiting time between stops)
Via Trains from Paris Gare du Nord to Montpellier, Montpellier to Estasion Barcelona Francia
Total Travel Hrs: 10 (including travel from hostel to train station and waiting time between stops)
Barcelona Estacio de Franca
Ralph, knowing how proud of a Pinay I can still be sometimes teasingly asked, "So Jizzle...what do you think of being in the country who conquered the Philippines for 300 years?" Switching my game face on with an arched left brow replied, "Funny. And personally, I still hold it against them." Yeah right...España, we've arrived!!!
Relief took over as soon as the 10hour train ride from Paris to Barcelona became a thing of the past. Though a cloud still hung above us because of the sad news in the City of Love, things looked a bit more hopeful. Compared to the web-tangled metro's of two of Europe's biggest cities, navigating Barcelona's metro was a breeze. Much to my utter jubilation, we said good riddance to hostels at least for now, and welcomed the room, Ralph's relatives had for us.
Refreshed, renewed and repleted, we took Barcelona on foot to experience the country that landed on Philippine soil with the purpose of 3G's - God, Gold and Glory. And if there is ever an award for Best Street and Best Dressed Street Characters, Barcelona takes it all! Las Ramblas, the city's main boulevard bustles with slippery shell games, pet vendors, souvenir kiosks, restaurants, flower shops, human statues, local artists and street performers. It's an all-day party where everyone comes to play! Two of the highlights visiting this fun street was seeing the capoeira performed by a group of local break dancers, and the ingenuity of a hanging Blue Piccolo human statue. Euro in hat!
Relief took over as soon as the 10hour train ride from Paris to Barcelona became a thing of the past. Though a cloud still hung above us because of the sad news in the City of Love, things looked a bit more hopeful. Compared to the web-tangled metro's of two of Europe's biggest cities, navigating Barcelona's metro was a breeze. Much to my utter jubilation, we said good riddance to hostels at least for now, and welcomed the room, Ralph's relatives had for us.
Refreshed, renewed and repleted, we took Barcelona on foot to experience the country that landed on Philippine soil with the purpose of 3G's - God, Gold and Glory. And if there is ever an award for Best Street and Best Dressed Street Characters, Barcelona takes it all! Las Ramblas, the city's main boulevard bustles with slippery shell games, pet vendors, souvenir kiosks, restaurants, flower shops, human statues, local artists and street performers. It's an all-day party where everyone comes to play! Two of the highlights visiting this fun street was seeing the capoeira performed by a group of local break dancers, and the ingenuity of a hanging Blue Piccolo human statue. Euro in hat!
Towards the end of the street, we reached the gigantic Christopher Columbus statue. And for 4EU per person, we went up Columbus' tower and saw magnificent Barcelona from top!
After a trip down Ramblas, we ventured on a quest to see some of Barcelona's unique architectures, beginning with Sagrada Familia. Sagrada Familia, the unfinished work of Gaudi, looks straight out from Alice in Wonderland. It's a cathedral built and still being built with a touch of fantasy and whimsy despite the cranes and construction around it. The Cathedral's completion is not expected until after the next two decades with more towers and unusual structures looming in the horizon. Other distinct buildings we visited included the Block of Discord, Palau Guell, Torre Agbar and the Palau dela Musica Catalana.
Besides the amazing Spanish and Filipino dishes prepared for us by Ralph's relatives, we also took home eyes satiated with the Museu Picasso. The first Picasso painting I ever saw was then to me an ugly, scary looking old man all in shades of blue hanging at the office of my previous job. Little did I know that that piece actually belonged to his sentimental and somber Blue Period paintings. Like a child discovering a treasure box, visiting the museum helped us understand art a little better especially with the museum's presentation of Picasso's recreation of "Las Meninas." Combined with technology, the museum featured how Picasso transformed the "Las Meninas" painting into his own style of cubism. It was quite genius!
So much left to do, yet so little time! And a couple of rain showers, shopping bags and days later, we left Spain in hopes of coming back to the city who has been known for its Philippine expeditions. No wonder, Ralph's relatives easily spoke the language. But, the Swiss Alps were already calling us by name. Hasta Luego España and ohhhh...
Switzerland, we're coming for ya!
Switzerland, we're coming for ya!
RSS Feed
