The Rain in Spain Falls Mainly on the Plain

It is incredible to think that we are constantly enveloped in so much important architecture and history throughout this great place and it is hard to imagine that there is so much more outside of where we are. Ten of us ventured off to Barcelona this passed weekend and explored the marvelous city. I had no idea what was in store.


We stayed in an apartment just a few short blocks from the Sagrada Familia Cathedral in the middle of the historical district of Barcelona. We embarked on a sight-seeing adventure and discovered that Sagrada Familia was open to the public for free which apparently only happens once a year. After absorbing as much visual information as we could possibly hold, we strolled down a few blocks to the Casa Milà. Due to the long tourist lines and high entrance fees, we decided to admire from the exterior and further delve into this great city. The transition from the streets of Rome to the streets of Barcelona was vastly different in terms of pedestrian comfort. In Rome, sidewalks are essentially non-existent in most of the city and one must dodge anxious vehicles, whereas in Barcelona, the sidewalks were 20-30 feet depending on the area and cars were NOT allowed on them. It was definitely a distinct separation that was much appreciated.
When we arrived, it started raining, and we had to walk around for a good 20 minutes before we found where our apartment was. Saturday night, we also decided to walk from our apartment to the Barcelona Pavilion. If you don't know already, from Sagrada Familia to the Barcelona Pavilion it is a good 30 blocks (not short ones). We got about three blocks from the Pavilion, stopped and ate some really tasty bar food (not really), came outside and it had started pouring rain, so we hopped on the metro and went home. That was our sorry attempt.

To make up for it, Jessica and I got lost the next night and went searching for the rest of our group at around 11:00 at night near the Fountain d'España which just so happened to be the perfect time because of the Montjuic Fountain show. They light up the fountain and play music for all to enjoy, and we certainly did. We also didn't mind that we didn't find the other part of our group because we ended up playing soccer and volleyball on the beach and dipped our feet in the Mediterranean Sea. Not too bad of a night, I'd say.


All in all, Barcelona is definitely a Bucket List item. To be absolutely honest, Spain was never a place that I truly desired to visit at some point in my life, but it was a spur of the moment trip that ended up being such a remarkable and unforgettable experience.