Barcelona, Spain

Our trip began in Spain, Barcelona is a very easy city to get around. It's big enough to offer many facets of Spanish culture, but small enough to feel comfortable immediately. We spent a couple days taking in Catalonia and really enjoying the wide variety of arts.

Barcelona is surprisingly easy to get around, and it has a relaxed pace. On our honeymoon, Keith and I are travel-map-reading-impared, maybe not so much impared as bullheaded. So it's best for us to take tours, that way everyone remains happy! I found the people of Barcelona to be pleasent and not at all phased by their wide-eyed foreign visitors (seriously, France could take some lessons).
Upon arrival in Barcelona, we barely had time to get situated and cleaned up before heading to party. It was a remarkable event, and probably one of my favorite. We arrived at Poble Espanyol, which is set up to respresent the regions of spain. It's like the Spanish version of Epcot- but classy, and more authentic. It was a marvelous night of eating, drinking and watching traditional Spanish performances in the outdoor square! Awesome.

On our second day in the city, we took a guided walking tour of many of Barcelona's historical sites in the Gothic Quarter. Stops included: La Seu (Barcelona Cathedral) which is protected by geese!! The amazing rose window courtyard outside of Santa Maria del Pi. We saw the public market and all of the beautiful fruits, meats and delights. Who knew you could buy a live chicken from a street vendor? Las Ramblas, one of the main streets, is known for it's amazing "human statues." Performers dress up in full makeup, to the point where you can't tell if they are real or a statue- it's shocking when they move from their still form!!

We did not have a chance to walk through any of Gaudi's amazing architecture, which is reason alone that we will someday go back, we drove past La Segrada Familia, and Casa Batllo, as well as taking in a picnic lunch within Park Guell with it's decorative gutter system and ornate tilework walkways. Next trip we will also have to check out the beach scene, can't wait to go back!

Picasa Web Albums - Abbie - Barcelona