Reunion with my older brother and sister-in-law happened on Christmas Eve in Barcelona, Spain. Because Han was diligent enough to read up on the city's dangers (i.e. pickpockets and snatch-thieves), my father was rather paranoid during this leg of the trip. We were also warned by the Vodafone salesman that we shouldn't leave our trolleys of luggage lying unattended because someone might take off with them. Thank goodness nothing happened, but it never hurt anyone to be extra-vigilant!
In that one week, we visited Barcelona and from there we took a day-trip to Montserrat Monastery. We had a few days in Madrid and got on the train towards Toledo (a gorgeous UNESCO World Heritage site) for a day as well. I can't remember when was the last time we travelled this far as a family (of six) but it meant quite a lot that they came halfway around the world to spend Christmas and the New Year with me (but of course they wanted to see Europe too).
Barcelona was... chaotic. It's definitely a popular tourist destination. Walk along the street of La Rambla and you would be quite overwhelmed. It's teeming with both locals and tourists alike (think Orchard Road during the Christmas season but three times worse). And yes, a lot of Gaudi - his works are everywhere. Like a lot of other people, I was most impressed with La Sagrada Familia. Construction started in 1882 and has yet to be completed - what a work of art! I think the estimated year of completion would be year 2026, almost a decade from now. I can't really appreciate art but I know intricate details when I see them! Seriously though, I was in awe of the sheer complexity of the architecture. Of course, Barcelona is not just defined by Gaudi. We went on a couple of walking tours to get to know both the old and the new sides of the city and I was impressed by how the two can co-exist.
I also put my very-limited Spanish to good use on this trip (I never knew Spanish and Portuguese could be so different until I went to Lisbon). Sure, Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia but most of the people could speak and understand Spanish too.
Las Ramblas on New Year's Eve (very quiet compared to it's usual days)
Of course we visited La Boqueria, possible the most overrated market in Barcelona but a must-see. From chocolates and candies to live seafood and tapas, this market had everything you would want to devour. The fruit juices gave me a run for my money too - ah so fresh!!!!!
Visited Camp Nou and was seriously taken aback by the sheer grandeur of it all (thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience I must say)
The Barcelona Cathedral (not a work of Gaudi but still quite grand isn't it?) was rather overshadowed by the other opulent architecture in the city imo
We had wine for every meal of the day - explains all the weight gain thx dad
The usual scene of everyone crowding around my Google maps
Look at the brilliant colours streaming in :')
SOHBLINGS (told you I've always wanted to say that hahahaha)
Stumbled upon this view as we were walking towards Parc Güell
More of Gaudi's works: Parc Güell
Casa Batlló
La Pedrera
We took a day trip to Monsterrat Monastery via the train and tram. Skipped the long hike because parents hahahaha but if I could go back one day I would love to spend the day hiking. Nevertheless, the weather was perfect and the scenery just as breathtaking.
Out of the cities we visited in Spain (alright Toledo was a day trip), I would say I prefer Madrid over Barcelona. Madrid exuded a completely different vibe - it was as if we took a step back from the hustle and bustle of the streets of Barcelona and into a more delicate city. Don't get me wrong, Madrid was also swarming with tourists. But it felt completely detached from the Catalonian capital (well I guess they are different). We even met the Spanish president!!! He walked past us with a hoard of bodyguards and when I asked some taxi drivers who he was (in my meagre Spanish), the replied "¡Es el presidente!"
The Royal Palace of Madrid
Plaza Mayor
The crowded street of Gran Via right outside Primark (to quote my older brother, "I think I'm going to faint")
Santiago Bernabéu Stadium (my older brother is a football fanatic that's why we keep visiting stadiums hahahaha)
Tbh I was more impressed with this stadium than Camp Nou because of the interactive tour we had before taking in this amazing view
El Retiro Park at dusk (managed to catch the sunset in all its radiant hues)
And how could I forget - SAN GINES!!!!!!!! The best churros best chocolate ice-cream best hot chocolate I've ever had omg would do anything for that right now...
We spent an entire day at Toledo and seriously underestimated how cold it was going to be. The small city is a World Heritage Site and was known as the Imperial City that had the influence of Christianity, Islam and Judaism. Because I was no longer on a student budget (thx again dad), we took the hop-on-hop-off tour through the narrow streets of the city. Ahhhhh I loved it.
My brother enlightened by that ray of sunshine hahaha
On the first day of 2017, we packed our bags and headed for El Prat airport in Barcelona. This time, saying goodbye was easier than the last one six months before but when I got back home (to Lisbon), I could sorely feel their absence, having had their company for a whole two weeks. Then again, it also meant that exchange was about to end and I would be home in a month's time.
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