Barcelona

Barcelona. The most ridiculous place I have ever been, hands down.

We took a cab from the airport through the doggiest part of town to find our hostel, aptly titled “The Ideal Youth Hostel.” We shared the typical eight-person, one unisex bathroom suite, enjoying both the showers (no water on the sixth floor) and turndown service (you bring your sheets to your next room). The pictures of bleeding babies in Africa and HIV positive mothers giving birth that lined the walls of the lobby were a nice touch, like saying “So you think you’ve got it bad here, you selfish white boy?”. Ideal indeed.

Architecturally, the city has a different feel than any other place I have visited. From the streetlamps to the building tiling, everything is curvy or wavy or somehow different from what you’d expect. Nowhere is this more evident that in the city’s crown jewel, the famous La Segrada Familia temple. It is still another 30 to 80 years away from completion (which is so typically Spanish. “When will it be done?” “Meh, 30 years, 80 years, who knows…”) but it already is one of the most beautiful buildings in Europe. Honestly, the architect, Gaudi, had to be of the most unique minds of the 19th century to create something like that. I am definitely coming back when (if) it’s completed.

The Picasso Museum was awesome. The arrangement of the paintings allows you to follow his pregression from still life to avant guard to the advent of cubism. To all those who think Picasso is a hack who cannot paint "for real": 1) go to this museum. 2) turn off NASCAR. The building itself is worth the trip.

The Barcelona nightlife is absolutely absurd. Do go to the dock area, do not talk to the arab guys trying to sell you beer. Bad things happen.

One of the best things about Barcelona is its location. It’s nestled in between two mini-mountain range things that afford spectacular views of the whole town and the Mediterranean. Parc Guel, with its Guadi architecture and perfect view, is a must see.

My next trip will be to Andalucia, the stereotypical Spanish province to the south. Lots of “ole!” and killing bulls. We’ll see how it goes.