Last time I was in Barcelona was my first trip to Europe as part of one of those bad rep Contiki tours (which I quiet enjoyed!). At the time I was 19 and when I set foot in Barcelona then it was love at first sight and along with the girl I befriended on my tour from Newcastle, we looked at each other and said "I want to live here". A few minutes later we found ourself in a African music store in the middle of Barcelona talking to the owner whose son owned an apartment that was up for rent - needless to say we were all talk and chickened out when it came to going to see the apartment.
But I felt it then and when I arrived back in Barcelona to meet my cousin before heading off to the Canary islands - I felt it again AND still even moreso when I got back from the Canary islands to catch up with some friends from Australia.
I think I have actually met a person who claims that Barcelona was the worst place on earth for her, but it seems that its a city everyone falls in love with. For me its not just the amazing architecture but the beach right in the city, the brilliant food (of course), the language, the people, the awesome fashion and mostly the fact that the Spanards seem to embrace multiculturalism in Barcelona with food from around the world and huge interest in international travel and music. Maybe Im looking for excuses to love it, but thats really how I feel.
So in the first few days there I did the tourist thing on those huge embarressing buses, but I really think its a great way to orietate yourself. We paid a fortune to eat and watch the world cup which had just started when I arrived. Coming back from Canary Islands I was lucky enough to have two friends in town that I stayed with. One couple from Australia who rented an apartment in the Gotic part of town - right near my favourite church St Anna and of course the St Caterina food markets cant be forgotten, more local and less touristy with delicious food.
Gelato became a daily affair in Barcelona (evident by the weight appearing around my belly) and thanks to the good looking guy serving us who embarrisngly recognised us as regulars! One night we watched Ghana vs USA in a bar which was packed and we werent too sure just who they were supporting until the USA scored and of course it was all of them and 3 of us supporting Ghana. We did a little bootie dance to celebrate Ghana's victory as we watched the most silent American crowd I have ever witnessed depart the bar >:)
Las Rambalas - some people hate it being so touristy but I think its the heart of Barcelona - its where people from around the world converge and you can feel the electric charge in the air from the eateries, bars and stores as tourists buzz realising they are in Barcelona. Not to mention the number of Zara stores within a 1km radius and my newly discovered Fnac store AND my favourite - Mango.
Day 2 on my second visit I decided I needed sun and quick, so walked down to Port Vell with my ipod on David Guettas tunes and was psyched for a brilliant swim. The beach at Barcelonitas is definately touristy but its the beach I cant complain and again I was loving the buzz. There's a guy whom Im told has been there for years walking along the beach with a board on his head and donuts piled high in a pyramid and when he arrives you hear him before you see him - he plays a trianlge and sings to the crowd encouraging people to buy the donuts. He's a young blond French guy by the look of it - some people are obviously too embarressed to buy from him, whilst the heavily curvacious Spanish women lying next to me abruptly order him over to devour his treats. The Indians walking along the beach selling beer, soda and if you look like the right kind of customer - marijana.
The chinese and Thai ladies walking along the beach saying - "massage madam" and the Africans selling beaded necklaces, bracelets and offering to do hair braids. The bars that line the beach - totally overpriced but perfect to enjoy a cool beer whilst watching Spain qualify for the World Cup semi-finals! I realise quickly that this beach is exactly what I think Miami beach might be like - there's even rollerbladers and rollerskaters all along the boulevard.
The other thing I love about Barcelona is the bikeways - bikes are a huge way to get around and I manage to score my friends Bicycle card which allows locals to unlock a bike from one point and ride it to another within the hour. So easy to get around.
One observation that my girlfriend and I notice is that all the shoe stores in central Barcelona sell leather flats mainly and for good reason.. you walk so damn much in this city it just wouldnt be practical to where anything but!
One night there's a Michael Jackson memorial vigil taking place in Placa Catalunya and the next day there is a festival with huge puppets walking down the street - this town knows how to party! And lets not forget the afternoon siestas that help you party the night away.
My other girlfriend whom I used to African dance in Brisbane with has returned to Barcelona to start a family after previously living there for 8 years. So Im very lucky to have such a great host to show me around town. We travel one afternoon to a beautiful beach that is a 20 min train ride from De Sants main train station. It's nearly empty this beach and again its calm and beautiful!!!
We do the compulsary waterfall visit which suprisingly I think to be quiet romantic - if you ignore the few thousand tourists around you. Im not one for water fountains, but the lights, the music and the fact its Barcelona - Im sucked in.
We visit a friend one night who is renting an apartment downtown and climb around 6 flights of stairs to her tiny apartment that has the most brilliant rooftop terrace thats privately her's - im hooked!
I definately love Barcelona and will be back hopefully soon!
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