Barca Barca Barca!

I really wanted to visit Seville during my trip to Spain. The one thing that drew me away was an opportunity to see a friend I haven't talked to since high school who is working in Barcelona. Also some people I know said it's a big deal or something, so what the heck. My favorite part of Barcelona was the Gothic Quarter. We headed straight there for a pleasant stroll after I arrived.

 

 

Took a detour from the Barri Gotic to check out the beach at Barceloneta.

Sweet street art

My dear friend Jessi was working 18-hour shifts or something like that during my stay. So though glad that she could show me around first, I was off on my own for the rest of the day and evening. 8 hours and 15,000 steps later (yes, I had a pedometer with me; long story), I found a few fine examples of Gaudi architecture. Here's one:

Casa Milá (or La Pedrera)

 I spent the evening, after touristy places closed, wandering around the center of town looking for photo opportunities and a place to eat. I happened to hang out in this plaza near a big church around twilight.

The second day of my stay, Jessi and I had some crazy adventures in Parque Güell. We sneaked into the back entrance using outdoor escalators, climbed the peak, frolicked in cacti in full summer bloom, found Jessi's dream home, hung out with a salamander, and rewarded ourselves with a big lunch in an eclectic residential neighborhood.

My last night in Spain, I made Jessi especially jealous by going to Parc Nou to watch a rally for FC Barcelona. I can safely say I'm a bigger fan than her now. Anyway, one more bonus post from Spain and a link to my full album coming up.