Barcelona - Day 4

Hit La Sagrada Family at an early 2 PM. 

For being built in a gothic style, the colors inside were surprising, yet beautiful. 

A view of the ceiling. 

So I know there are a lot of pictures of churches throughout this blog. And frankly the reason I go to them is to check the box for a historical site. Although the churches are impressive from an architectural perspective, they typically don't do much for me otherwise. La Sagrada Familia was the first church that I went in where I didn't feel like the iron hand of God was coming down to kill all sinners. It was a welcoming place with awesome beauty, and the first tourist church I went into where people were actually quiet and respectful (I think it had something to do with folks being so impressed by the color and the ceilings that they just shut up). Regardless, my point is that this is the first time I'm genuinely glad to have gone into a church.

Afterwards, my girlfriend treated Josh and I to a helicopter tour of Barcelona. This accomplished two things; I got to see Barcelona from the sky and I finally got to take my first helicopter ride! Thanks, Jackie!

Barcelona FC

The helicopter ride was unforgettable and makes me want to do more of them, not only in cities, but across all terra. 

And then I found this Barcelona Cafe Racer to cap off an amazing day. 

Barcelona - Day 3

After a late night at Club Opium, we met up with Eli on the beach circa 4pm. He's been coming to Barcelona for over 10 years and is living here temporarily. He showed us around to a few of his favorite spots. 

Eating at El Glop. 

Eating more snails. 

Barcelona - Day 2

In typical Josh and Rick fashion, we did a free walking tour to kick-off the first full day in a new city. We picked the historic gothic area of Barcelona.

Cathedral of Barcelona

That's a unicorn atop the church. It's all make believe on the outside and inside.

Picasso art in public (below the advert).  

The true name of Barcelona; "Barcino"

Another angle. You can see an ancient Roman aqueduct on the right, too. 

Our guide, Andres, showing us the entrance to the oldest synagogue in Europe. It was re-discovered in the 1980s. 

I believe this is a church. You can see damage along the bottom portion of the structure. This is where Franco held his public executions by firing squad. Europe seems to attract such great leaders. /s

A government building. 

The Catalonian people have contests to make human pyramids every year. This is a monument showing the record of 15 stories. 

George Orwell fought in the Spanish civil war. His real name is Eric Blair. 

A street in the Gothic area. 

The 4 flags of Catalonia. 

A monument to people killed in 1714. I can't remember the full context, but this is an important place for the Catalonians. 

We concluded the tour and started to do our own wondering. 

Finally stepped foot into the Mediterranean. 

The W. 

Skate culture is strong here. We saw skaters everywhere. 

Found a bar called CatBar that served craft beer. Finally. Craft beer is in its infancy in Europe. 

 

Walked past La Sagrada Familia in the evening. 

Hanging out on the rocks outside Club Opium. 

Barcelona - first evening

On our way to Barcelona. 

We landed in Barcelona and checked into the Sant Jordi La Sagrada Familia hostel. 

Common area in the hostel. It's skate themed (note the mini ramp to the left). 

We then headed to a bar around the corner called Bar Republica. It's owned by a really great couple. They've been giving us great recommendations on places to see, engaged us in great conversation, and have given us more free drinks and shots than I can count now. Here's Bar Republica. 

John (one of the owners) does all the artwork himself. 

Their dog, Spud. 

Trying the absinthe. 

We made it on their wall. 

Leo, Spud, John

These guys rock. If you're in Barcelona, look up Bar Republica and swing by for great tapas and drinks.