There has been many a time over the last 9 months where I have literally stopped in the street and just taken a moment to take it all in. The sights, the sounds, the smells, the sun - Barcelona has been nothing short of a dream come true. I arrived in february, having spent three weeks here in september. During those 3 weeks I had made it my goal to learn the city, I would walk anywhere and everywhere. Having grown up in Watford, on the outskirts of London, and being very used to having to sit on a train for at least 45minutes to get anywhere of interest, the ability to walk everywhere was invigorating. I remember on my very first day here, I was sent out on a casting (literally hours after arriving = a happy weasel) which took me not far from the coast. As i said, Ive grown up in London, the idea of nipping to the beach for a couple of hours was more than beyond me! In Barcelona, it was the norm. Well I made a bee-line for that coast. Whilst not having the most beautiful beaches on the planet, I was easily satisfied. A short walk down the coast and I was at Port Vell, one of the numerous spots around the city to benefit from the 1992 Olympic Games. What was previously a run down eye sore at the bottom of Las Ramblas is now one of the focal points of the city hosting a shopping mall, an IMAX and Europe's largest Aquarium, not to mention the dozens of beautiful boats rocking in the sea.
Port Vell, Barcelona
From Port Vell its a short walk across the road to bottom of 'Las Ramblas', the most well known street of Barcelona that runs up through the old districts of the city before finishing In Plaza Catalunya. The street literally seems to heave with people and any attempt to walk up or down is not your average stroll. With its fair share of "statues" and more acrobatic street entertainment, Las Ramblas is full of excitement, as well as offering the obligatory local wheeler and dealer who can seemingly hook you up with anything your heart desires (avoid avoid avoid). My favourite stop on the street had to be the 'Mercat de la Boqueria'. Situated half way down, I had to pull myself away from its endless rows of stalls (I say stalls I mean sweets!)
Mercat de la Boqueria, Barcelona
Las Ramblas is good, as of course was the Port and the beach, but it was in the old districts that I began to get a feel of what Barcelona was all about. If you were to look at Barcelona from an aerial perspective you would see that on the whole there is a very simple road layout. The majority of the city simply works in the format of a grid with slight deviations here and there. The same cannot be said for Raval, Barri Gotri or El Borne. These districts are full of twisting winding roads. The narrow streets and high walls only add to the sensation that you have stepped back in time. The shops, fast food and banks do not. Not to despair though, whilst the majority of these areas are dominated by commercial interest there are of course gems hidden throughout. Bars and restaurants that you need to know about to find. Churches, can appear as if from nowhere simply by turning round the right corner. In particular Antoni Gaudi's The Church of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, a HUGE cathedral smack bang in the middle of Barri Gotri, is a city must-see.
random street, El Born, Barcelona
As I said, in the old parts you can really feel the soul of Barcelona. There is something different in the air, an aura or vibe, call it what you will. Barcelona is a special city. I am determined to show it to you.
Well I think that will do it for today. Next time I want to tell you guys about Montjuic. I could chat and chat and chat and chat and chat etc.... about it. So I'm going to start it in a fresh post on a fresh mind, another day :)
I hope you enjoyed reading, and if you liked the pictures don't forget there is loads more on my instagram: stu_wease
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