 |
| Kara in front of the Arc de Triomf |
With a mixture of great excitement, eagerness and anticipation (dotted with an overbearing and punishing tiredness) we headed off for John's (long) birthday weekend to Barcelona!
Jumping back a day, our New Years in Madrid with friends was awesome, but resultantly we didn't get much sleep before walking to and boarding a very early morning train which neither of us remember very well. Hence when blurry blood shot eyed we stumbled out it wasn't long after that we found ourselves drinking some strong and sweet coffee around 9.30am in the McDonalds at Barcelona's train station.
After waking and confusing the direction we should have been walking outwards we made our way slowly to our hostel enjoying the fresh city air and hearing the seagulls!
 |
| Looking across the city at the Sagrada Familia |
Since we were a bit early for check-in we dropped off our bags and walked to one of Barcelona's big attractions the Sagrada Familia, a super large, super weird looking bits and piecey gothic Roman Catholic Church which is only estimated to be completed in 2025. Designed by the famous architect, Antoni Gaudi (famously jumping on the 1900's modernism movement of strangely designed and quirky buildings), construction begun in 1882- yip a fairly long construction!
At this time still there seems to be a heavy amount of construction on the main parts of the church and unfortunately most of it is covered by scaffolding and/or mesh protection sheets. Then after check-in at the hostel and the compulsory mid afternoon siesta we ventured off to explore some more of the city!
 |
| Barcelona's streets |
 |
| Al-fresco on Las Ramblas |
 |
| Tapa, Tapa, TaPA! |
Over the next few days, our small birthday parade rained all over Barcelona's golden and mellow Mediterranean beaches, moving slowly through the scrumptious back street food markets and a multitude of small hidden tapa's bars.
We feasted on the likes of camembert croquettes, cream cheese and dates, salmon and more potato tortilla than you can poke a skewer at.
 |
| Gaudi's Casa Batllo |
 |
| A sneaky shot from the Picasso museum |
One of the main highlights was visiting the Picasso museum, which depict Picasso's formative years growing up in Spain and is home to a rich display of his work. We explored more of Antoni Gaudi's modernist architecture around the city but enjoyed also just relaxing in Barcelona's notable Parc de la Ciutadella.
 |
| Parc de la Ciutadella |
Another highlight was just lying in the warm sunshine with our 'wrapidos' picnic in the gardens under the National Art Museum of Catalonia.
 |
| Breakfast pastry!! |
 |
| Enjoying the view from the National Art Musuem |
 |
| Roscón de Reyes cake! |
Our last day in Barcelona also fell on the Eve of one of Spain's most prominent celebrations 'the 'Epiphany'. This holiday is represented by the visiting of the three Kings or (the wise men) who after visiting the baby Jesus showered children with gifts as they returned home.
In Spain these three Kings are far more important than our 'Santa' as they come bearing far more gifts! The holiday across the country is often celebrated by a remarkable (and Barcelona's biggest) parade as well as the eating of Roscón de Reyes! So on arriving home we bought a special cream filled cake in which has hidden two special surprises (a raw broad bean and a beautiful figurine of a King) depending on which figurine you get will determine whether you're the King for the day!
 |
| Stunning statues! |
We loved warm Barcelona and could very easily see ourselves living here however we were also more than happy to return to our casa de sol in Madrid!
Tot Siens,
John and Kara
 |
| Exploring the city momuments |
 |
| Enjoying a menu del dia |
 |
| Barcelona Candy! |
