Barca

It's been quite a while since the last update so a few cities to go through here. Our night train to Barcelona was a bit rough. No AC, bad seats, smelly Europeans. But we made it through. Upon getting into Barcelona went to the hostel to check all that out and drop our bags. Couldn't check in until 2 so met some people in the lobby/cafeteria downstairs and went on a Gaudi walking tour. Met another Cal kid from a few years back which was interesting as well as a girl from NYU but originally from Los Angeles and had a few mutual friends there which was neat. The Gaudi walking tour itself wasn't much but it was a good way to see the city. The Sagrada Familia, his Cathedral, was spectacular but still another 25 years or so in the making. Definitely unlike any other church I've ever seen. His Parc Guell was quite something as well, his style works very well with Barcelona's vibrant personality.

After the tour we headed back to the hostel where we changed, got some beers and sandwiches and headed to the beach with a few friends from the hostel. Quite a good time chilling there, although quite disturbing as some fellows from Taiwan had a bag of theirs stolen right from under their (and our) noses. We didn't even see the thiefs take it, they were quick and good. Needless to say, we were especially careful for the rest of the trip.

That night, went out and tried to meet up with a friend from Cal but it wasn't to be. Instead bar hopped with some kids from the hostel and had quite a good time doing that.

Next morning woke up and headed out for Cadaques/Port Lligat where Dali made his home for a good deal of his life. Took a long time to get there and Emily was a bit frustrated. In the end though it all worked out and was well worth it. Upon getting into Cadaques we walked over to Port Lligat and walked around the area for a bit before entering Dali's home. Absolutely beautiful there. And they have scuba diving.... hmm.... got me to thinking, maybe I'll go back and work there? At any rate, the Casa Museu de Dali was spectacular. He had a stuffed polar bear, maniquins, and all sorts of weird stuff in there. But a very charming Mediterrannean style home. After the tour, we walked back to Cadaques where we sat in a beachside cafe and had a small snack. Upon getting back into Barcelona that night decided we were a bit tired so just called it there. Could have stayed up to watch the Stanley Cup finals game at 3 in the morning, but guess it's better I didn't. Still a bit bitter that Detroit lost.

Next morning woke up feeling refreshed from a long night's sleep. Went off with Sophia, the NYU/Los Angeles kid, and hit up La Boqueria, Barcelona's market. How fantastic that was! Everywhere you went were clashes of colors of fruits and veggies, the smells of seafood, pork heads on display in butcher stalls. We settled on a ciabatta baguette and got some spanish ham, cheese, cilantro, and tomatoes and went back to the hostel to make open sandwiches with. One of the better meals I've had in Spain. Met up with Emily later and with a few other friends again headed down to the beach.

While down at the beach, looked over a few spots and thought I saw what looked to be some friends of mine from Cal. Now when traveling I find there to be odd connections all the time, this was a bit of a surprise to me. After looking over a good 50 times or so, eventually decided it was Natalia and Bryan and said hi. They were as shocked as I was. Made plans to meet up that night.

Around 6 or so, we all met up and headed to this place called La Champagneria. All my friends who had studied abroad in Barcelona had said this was the place to go, and it most definitely was. They sell cheap champagne there with tapas and that's a combination that's hard to beat. For the 7 of us there, three glasses of champagne and many dishes of jamon, chorizo, cheese, etc. came out to only 35€. Amazing deal. Ran into my friend Benji, who I had met and traveled with in Hong Kong there and we headed out with his friend Alfredo to another couple bars.

Kept the revelry going until near midnight when we left the hostel with Benji and Alfredo to go to Razzmatazz, a club in Barca that is the favorite of many of my friends. We were all quite drunk which was a good thing going in as drinks were 7€ a piece. Had a great time though, but some memories from that night a bit fuzzy.

Next day was an easy one for myself, taking the opportunity to get some laundry done. Met up with Natalia and Bryan for lunch and a bit of a goodbye then gathered up Emily and made our way for the train station. Had a much better train this time, although for 48€ it better have been. Ended up seated next to Jeanine and Kyle, friends of ours from the Barca hostel. We'll be meeting up with them tonight in Amsterdam.

I'll write about Interlaken on the next sitting, not sure when it'll be. Had a great time there though, and Amsterdam is shaping up to be pretty good too.