MN Gals Take on Barcelona

I took a short train ride from Madrid to Barcelona, where I met my two good friends from high school, Madison and Alaiyah. We planned this visit before I left MN and I was so excited to see some friends from home. We stayed at a cute little vintage themed hostel, Pars Teatro Hostel. As soon as we all arrived we began walking. I don't think I've ever walked as much as much as I did in Barcelona, we averaged around 5 miles a day, even while using the metro! We walked around the gothic neighborhood, the touristy strip, and went all the way up to the La Sagrada Familia (should be done with construction in 2026). We saw works of Gaudí around the city! We also visited the famous market, La Boqueria where I experienced my first scam. I unknowingly bought a few small pieces of chocolate for 10 whole euros... at least it was delicious.

Our hostel hosted a night out, Barcelona style. We ate dinner around 9, went to a few bars around 11, and went to a club at 1am. The club stays open until 7am, I could've danced all night but us Minnesotans only made it until about 4am, which we were quite proud of.

We were very lucky because the weekend we stayed in Barcelona was the same weekend of the famous annual festival, La Mercè. Barcelonians welcome the fall season with La Mercè. We stumbled across huge firework shows, parades, concerts and dances. The most interesting festivity was Correfoc, the "fire race". The Demons, special community groups that dress up as demons, parade through the streets with firecrackers and fireworks. It was basically a huge, scary parade that included a lot of explosives... I loved it. Something like this would never happen in the US, too many safety protocols.

I FINALLY got to see a Flamenco show, the traditional dance of Spain! I wanted to go in Seville but didn't make it. I was just as happy to see one in Barcelona. The show lasted about an hour with beautiful singing, guitar, and tap performances. It brought me back to my days of tap dancing, and made me think maybe I should start up again lol.

While teaching elementary art last year my students and I became obsessed with the Spanish artist, Salvador Dalí. So it was a must for me to take the train an hour into Figueres, his birthplace, to visit the Dalí museum. It was an absolute dream.

My favorite day in Barcelona with Madison and Alaiyah was our day on the beach. I loved laying in the sun, swimming in the sea and getting an Açaí bowl. This was followed by watching the sunset at the best look out point, Bunkers. We got a 360 view of the city as the sun set and it was the highlight of my time in this wild city.

I ALMOST FORGOT! I got stung by a jelly fish! hahaha. I was so confused when it happened, like "what just shocked me? Oh well I'll keep swimming" (no one had to pee on me, in case you were wondering). My arm was red and bumpy for only a few hours and got better.

After five days in Barcelona it was time to move on. Next stop: Nice, France!