July 26 - Love at First Sight

Before even coming to Spain, I could already tell that I would love it. I love Mexican food and culture and from what I heard I knew they would be similar. What I did not expect was that I would love it so fast. In Paris, it took a few days for the shock to wear off and for me to acclimate to the city. It was almost an instantaneous feeling here.

To begin our first full day in Barcelona, my classmates and I ate a bit of breakfast in the hotel before meeting up with our instructor. We all took the metro towards the Gothic Quarter to meet up with our tour guide, Tina. Tina was tasked with taking us to some historic places such as 4 Gats, the Cathedral of Saint Eulalia, La Rambla de Barcelona, and La Boqueria de Sant Josep. She also was tasked with teaching us a lot about the history.

Our first stop was at 4 Gats, a restaurant in the Gothic Quarter. This historic site was a favorite of artist from the Bohemian renaissance such as Pablo Picasso. We walked and talked more about the history before making our way to the Cathedral. We learned about the history of Catalunya and the differences between the Catalan people versus Spanish people as a whole. We learned about the importance of tourism and commerce, especially from big events such as the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. We also learned about the importance of different saints, such as Saint Jordi (George) and his slaying of a dragon. We made our way around the Gothic Quarter before reaching the Cathedral.

In the cathedral, we discussed the importance of religion in Spanish culture and the history of the Cathedral. It was named after Saint Eulalia, the co-patron saint of Barcelona (alongside Saint George). We learned about her faith and the fact that she was killed at the age of thirteen. In her honor, the cathedral houses thirteen white geese. Also in the cathedral, I took some time to explore and lit a candle at the foot of the Virgin Mary. Once we were done inside, we went out to explore some more. Outside, we discussed the architecture style of the area and then explored some more.

Tina took us around La Rambla and then we headed towards the most famous market in Barcelona – La Boqueria. As soon as I stepped inside, I knew I was in love. There were stalls upon stalls with so many different things to see! I saw fresh fruit, fresh eggs, meats, cheeses, nougat, spices, specialty drinks, and so many other things. My first stop in the market was at a shop with legs of ham hanging from the ceiling. I grabbed a charcuterie cup filled with Spanish ham, Manchego cheese, green olives, and little pieces of bread. I savored my snacks before moving onto another stall to continue munching away. I had consumed so much salt from that small snack and needed something refreshing to cleanse my palette. I grabbed a fresh pineapple juice at a stall along with some mixed fruit. The juice was incredible since it was naturally sweet and the fruits were juicy and sweet. I found some other classmates and explored the market some more with them. I loved seeing it all and taking in the sights, smells, and flavors from everything. My last stop in the market was at a nougat stand for a treat for later before heading out. The market was truly a unique experience with such a vibrant culture. I already cannot wait to go back.

Once I finished in the market, my friend Mia and I headed out to explore La Rambla and slowly make our way back to our hotel. We stopped in some local shops along the way and picked up a few souvenirs to take back home. Our hotel was over an hour away on foot but we took the trek anyway to explore the city some more. It was incredible to see the city and each step I took showed me something new and exciting. Barcelona may be a tourist destination but there is so much more to it than just tacky knicknacks and night clubs. Walking through the city showed me so much and I am already in love with it all. Mia and I eventually found our way back to the hotel and decided to partake in the Spanish custom of an afternoon siesta. We both napped for a little while before deciding to grab a quick dinner. Mia and I, along with our respective roommates, all headed out to a place a few blocks away for some tacos.

Maybe it was the restaurant we went to or maybe it is just the culture, but food here is pretty cheap. At the taco shop we went to, we all shared a plate that had nachos, mixed tacos, and drinks that cost each of us 8 Euros. Admittedly, the tacos were not the best I have ever had but they were filling and not terrible for my bank account. From there, we walked some more and then stopped at a supermarket for some hotel snacks. Overall, it was an incredible first full day and I know I will have a hard time leaving Barcelona behind when it is time to go. I am a very loving person and I definitely feel like I know what its like to be in love and be loved. This place has already shown me so much love and I feel the same love for Spain that I do for those I am closest with. I love Barcelona and I know I will find more to love.

♡ Katie