Well, I'm officially in the planning stages for my next big trip and I'm excited to say it will be to Brazil for the 2014 World Cup!!! I've been wanting to go to Brazil and to the World Cup for a while now, so why not kill two birds with one stone? Easy peasy. This is bucket list type stuff, y'all.
As of right now, we have all of our flights booked so the next step is accommodations and securing tickets to the USA matches. Wish us luck!!!
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Friday, September 6, 2013
Day 16: Loving me some Gaudi
We saved the best for last in Barcelona, and it was spectacular! We dedicated our last day to everything Gaudi so we saw the Sagrada Familia, Casa Mila, and Park Güell. I absolutely loved it!
We did the Sagrada Familia first, which had a very very long line and we thought, here we go, more inefficiency in Spain this line will take forever! Fortunately it did not, and the frustration Eric and I endured while trying to print tickets online didn't matter because we just showed the reference number at the gate! Woo!
Immediately upon walking inside I was in awe. Let's be honest, I've seen a lot of cathedrals and churches and basilicas in my life (and even on this trip), but the Sagrada Familia is something entirely different. For one, the sculptures, the columns, all of the detail is just so different. I'd say it's a more modern cathedral, which makes sense since it was begun in the early 1900s. I absolutely loved it. And to think, it's not even finished! But now I let the pictures do the talking :)
After that we trekked it to Casa Mila using the metro. We got some pictures of the facade but after seeing the price to enter was 16 euro, we decided it wasn't worth it. So we grabbed lunch instead. We like to think with our stomachs.
Then it was another metro ride to get to Park Guell. It was quite the hike from the metro and it was really hot but we all made it in one piece! We finally got to see the famous lizard that we have seen so many replicas of and see the various places in the park that Gaudi designed. It was pretty cool. Carissa was feeling under the weather so Jenn stayed with her while Eric and I wandered throughout the park. We got some good pictures of it! And it was a large park, so also got some good exercise, which made me not feel at all guilty of extending our streak of gelato to 16.
After that we came back to the apartment and then Jenn and I took the opportunity to do some last minute shopping. I needed some retail therapy because I didn't want to leave! And this way, I get to take some pieces of Spain back with me (in the form of beautiful clothes) and look fabulous to boot!
It's been a great trip, very successful and I can't wait to come back!
Oh, and here's some pictures of our last dinner in Barca! I promise Eric was happy haha
We did the Sagrada Familia first, which had a very very long line and we thought, here we go, more inefficiency in Spain this line will take forever! Fortunately it did not, and the frustration Eric and I endured while trying to print tickets online didn't matter because we just showed the reference number at the gate! Woo!
Immediately upon walking inside I was in awe. Let's be honest, I've seen a lot of cathedrals and churches and basilicas in my life (and even on this trip), but the Sagrada Familia is something entirely different. For one, the sculptures, the columns, all of the detail is just so different. I'd say it's a more modern cathedral, which makes sense since it was begun in the early 1900s. I absolutely loved it. And to think, it's not even finished! But now I let the pictures do the talking :)
After that we trekked it to Casa Mila using the metro. We got some pictures of the facade but after seeing the price to enter was 16 euro, we decided it wasn't worth it. So we grabbed lunch instead. We like to think with our stomachs.
Then it was another metro ride to get to Park Guell. It was quite the hike from the metro and it was really hot but we all made it in one piece! We finally got to see the famous lizard that we have seen so many replicas of and see the various places in the park that Gaudi designed. It was pretty cool. Carissa was feeling under the weather so Jenn stayed with her while Eric and I wandered throughout the park. We got some good pictures of it! And it was a large park, so also got some good exercise, which made me not feel at all guilty of extending our streak of gelato to 16.
After that we came back to the apartment and then Jenn and I took the opportunity to do some last minute shopping. I needed some retail therapy because I didn't want to leave! And this way, I get to take some pieces of Spain back with me (in the form of beautiful clothes) and look fabulous to boot!
It's been a great trip, very successful and I can't wait to come back!
Oh, and here's some pictures of our last dinner in Barca! I promise Eric was happy haha
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Day 15: La Playa!
Today was a pretty relaxing day. We didn't do much except travel to Camp Nou and then hit the beach. And of course eat gelato.
With that said, there aren't a ton of pictures and not a lot of good stories because basically our day was the beach. Jenn, Eric and I got in the water (Carissa pansied out) and it was wonderful! I love the Mediterranean!
We had some good people watching as well. Mostly the promoters for clubs and stuff coming around trying to get everyone to go to their club. The conversation went something like this:
After that we walked back to the apartment, grabbed gelato and then cleaned up for dinner. Which is where we're going now! Yo espero que sea deliciosa!
We have the Gaudi experience lined up for tomorrow and I can't wait!
With that said, there aren't a ton of pictures and not a lot of good stories because basically our day was the beach. Jenn, Eric and I got in the water (Carissa pansied out) and it was wonderful! I love the Mediterranean!
Panorama from la playa and with the sculpture
Eating some yummy pasta, people watching, and Carissa with her new pal Paco!
We had some good people watching as well. Mostly the promoters for clubs and stuff coming around trying to get everyone to go to their club. The conversation went something like this:
Promoter: Hey where are you guys from?It was fun to see them strike out over and over although they did get a couple people to bite.
People: [Insert Country Here]
Promoter: Oh, there's been a lot of people on the beach from [Country] today (they literally said this regardless of the country mentioned). Want to come to a boat party/club?
People: No.
Promoter: It's a really good time, you get a free shot, we can give you a discount! It's a bangin' good time!
People: No thanks.
After that we walked back to the apartment, grabbed gelato and then cleaned up for dinner. Which is where we're going now! Yo espero que sea deliciosa!
Duo pasta and then eggs with french fries and bacon (is this real life?)
We have the Gaudi experience lined up for tomorrow and I can't wait!
Day 14: Scandalous Shoulders and Montserrat
Today we decided to take our Barcelona day trip to Montserrat which is an old monastery outside the city. It's wayyyyy up on the mountainside so we took a neat little cable car to the top that gave us some awesome views!
We then walked around the complex a bit and stalled for time until the boys choir sang at 1pm. We piled in with tons of other people (I'm talking a packed house like any preacher would love) and then waited for the little boys. It was pretty awesome hearing them sing with it echoing off the rafters of the church.
We then got back in the line for the crypt that we had abandoned earlier to see the boys choir so we could wait and see what all the fuss was about. While in line I was accosted by this lady behind us and poked and let know that I should cover my scandalous shoulders. Clearly she didn't notice all the other people who had bare shoulders and shorts hiked up into their booty. No, I was the one she was worried about--in my tank top and maxi skirt. So I put on a blouse I had brought in case this happened and still she continued to glare! Rude. Her friend also thought it appropriate to invade my personal space and stand so close to me that I could literally feel her pressing up against me. Not. Necessary.
After about 90 minutes we finally made it to the front of the line. And the front of the line meant you could touch this ball that the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus presented amongst some gold. That was it. I'm not sure it was worth the (at least) 90 minute wait. But I guess now we can say we did it!
After that it was 3pm so we were ready to go and hopped the next train back to the city. We then proceeded to visit the markets and stores that were closed on Sunday. I may have bought some wonderful dresses at Zara. We also stopped by this old hospital to see the architecture. It was kinda meh.
However, we did have a delicious dinner! Calamari, pesto penne, caprese salad, sangria, patatas bravas, veggies, thai chicken, taglietelle with shrimp. We had a mini feast! And then followed it up with gelato. Never fails, I tell you.
The views!
And then even better, us with the views!
We then walked around the complex a bit and stalled for time until the boys choir sang at 1pm. We piled in with tons of other people (I'm talking a packed house like any preacher would love) and then waited for the little boys. It was pretty awesome hearing them sing with it echoing off the rafters of the church.
The outside of the monastery's complex
We decided to emulate the statues and their poses...
... With varying degrees of success.
Inside the church part of the monastery, so much gold
And then the boys choir!
We then got back in the line for the crypt that we had abandoned earlier to see the boys choir so we could wait and see what all the fuss was about. While in line I was accosted by this lady behind us and poked and let know that I should cover my scandalous shoulders. Clearly she didn't notice all the other people who had bare shoulders and shorts hiked up into their booty. No, I was the one she was worried about--in my tank top and maxi skirt. So I put on a blouse I had brought in case this happened and still she continued to glare! Rude. Her friend also thought it appropriate to invade my personal space and stand so close to me that I could literally feel her pressing up against me. Not. Necessary.
After about 90 minutes we finally made it to the front of the line. And the front of the line meant you could touch this ball that the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus presented amongst some gold. That was it. I'm not sure it was worth the (at least) 90 minute wait. But I guess now we can say we did it!
Thats what we waited for... help me out here, Catholics, what is the symbolism of this? And then a view into a hidden chapel and an alcove
After that it was 3pm so we were ready to go and hopped the next train back to the city. We then proceeded to visit the markets and stores that were closed on Sunday. I may have bought some wonderful dresses at Zara. We also stopped by this old hospital to see the architecture. It was kinda meh.
Found near the hospital
Wizard chess! And then a pretty fountain
Lots of pooping figurines. I don't even know. And Barcelona's Arc de Triomf
However, we did have a delicious dinner! Calamari, pesto penne, caprese salad, sangria, patatas bravas, veggies, thai chicken, taglietelle with shrimp. We had a mini feast! And then followed it up with gelato. Never fails, I tell you.
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