Spain

Barcelona

We really only had one full day here, plus a half day when we got there. Felt like we were going to be there for like four days but it went super quick. We didn't notice that it was going to be a quick one. I surprised him with a day trip to Madrid. So the first night, after the taxi, buses, and flights we got to our amazing hotel. It was pretty dang nice compared to the other cheap ones I've stayed in. I've heard how cheap it was in Spain, and it's true. Very affordable for college kids. And our view was incredible, we were seventh floor. The eighth floor was the roof with a pool. Anyway, we went out to get dinner on a street next door. This street was great for food. Every one spoke English as well, so it was very easy to communicate, unlike French people. We were looking for tapas, Spanish rice as well (Paella). Our first dinner was great, I had some vegetables and then we shared a vegetarian paella. The paella is always served last and in a huge hot dish. Unfortunately, the waiter took the order wrong. He came with seafood paella. The shrimp had their eyes still and it was making me sick. Thank God we were able to switch with no problem. It was heaven. I will most likely try to cook this in my apartment this Fall. After dinner, we grabbed some gelato. They have gelato every where you turn here, I didn't think I was in Italy. Oh, we tried Manchego cheese, it's a special Spanish cheese. I loved it. Oh, and the gates that close the shops on the streets all have spray painted images, most times it was really cool images and designs.

The full day in Barcelona was perfect. Slept in a little and headed for the beach. The beach was not crowded or tourist filled, which was weird to me. It's June, summer and vacation time, and it's Barcelona. Why are their not more people? Anyway, the people who were there were topless. I mean the women were going topless. I mean I agree to the #freethenipple but it was a little hard not to be shocked being in that situation and setting for the first time. We laid around until it got a little hotter, then we went into the freezing water. The waves were crazy big, but I got used to it. It was like the wave pool at the Wisconsin Dell's (Amusement and Water Parks), takes me a while to consider and to do it. It was great until I spotted a dark pink jelly fish about two feet in front of me. I freaked. It was the length of a liter of soda. I mean, I freaked. Swam and ran away. Done for the day. After drying off, we got some food at a restaurant on the beach. I got a mojito and some chips with guacamole, cheese, and pico de gallo. Delicious. It hit the spot. When you go to Spain, get a mojito. Do it. Went back for some gelato and to get ready for the Sagrada Familia. We walked there, only took about 40 minutes. Got to walk by some cool stuff. Barcelona has some crazy cool and fun architecture. When we got there, it was insane. The outside was rather dirty, I wish it was cleaner. But the inside was insane as well, I mean it was crazy cool and fun. The colors and the shapes and designs, all very fun. After, while walking back, I grabbed some churros. And we hit the mall, shopped for candy. At the El Mercat, I found heaven. It was a candy store called Happy Pills. You would pick a size of pill jar and fill it with all different kinds of candies, and even pick out a sticker that says when to eat a happy pill (candy). Dinner was again great, more paella. Todd found cheese curds on the menu and I was so happy. Gelato again tonight.

Madrid

So we woke up early for an hour and twenty minute plane ride from Barcelona to Madrid. Took the metro into town. We really didn't have any plans except the Guernica by Picasso painting, but I looked at the hours and of course... the museum is closed on Tuesdays. So now, not only do I have to go back to Milan for The Last Supper, I as well have to go back to Madrid for the Guernica by Picasso. Got some lunch, took a while to find something on the menu that was available. Every time I ordered something, the guy was like "don't have". Ended up with a cheese crepe and a mojito. Oh and walking down the shopping streets, there were people dressed in costumes (like New York City) and two tiny, short, little smurfs were there. One of them was laughing and chasing me. Sounds funny? No, it was creepy and scary. After walking up and down those streets, we went to the Retiro Park. Had a dessert there, I had a chocolate pastry that looked like a chocolate covered pretzel, he had another eau claire. After that, took the metro to the Plaza de Espana. Then the metro back and the plane back. The view from the plane was amazing, it was sunset pink clouds and raining in one part, mountains, and foggy in another spot. Got back to the hotel around 10pm. Ordered some pizza from downstairs and watched Orange is the New Black. Passed out.

Woke up from the sun shining in. Thank God, because I thought our flight back to London was around 4pm. I checked because I am always paranoid about being early. Our flight was in two hours and 20 minutes. Oh my God. We packed and ran to a taxi. Traffic. Long lines. But, we made it. We even had enough time to sit down for some juice and breakfast. Oh, saw a rainbow in the sky.