Parc Guell, H&M and Scooter Envy
05.29.2010
Today was my first full day in Barcelona. Since I'm only staying at this hostel for two nights, I wanted to go to Parc Guell because it's very close to the hostel.
I walked over, or rather, down a hill, then up a hill, then over through the back entrance to the park. I kept following the signs until I started to see people, then I heard flamenco music, and then I saw the main attraction, the Casa Museu Gaudi. It was quite impressive. His work is very organic with lots of nature, very few straight lines, and it kind of reminds me of a fairy tale cartoon, the way some of his buildings look.
After wandering around there for a bit, I headed to Plaza Catalunya to find the H&M. I lost about 7kg on the Camino de Santiago and my pants barely fit at the moment. I spent at least two hours there trying on clothes and attempting to figure out the European sizing. I bought a pair of jeans, a pair of capris and a short sleeved plaid shirt plus new undies and bras for just under 90 Euros. Not too bad.
Tourist season is in full swing in Europe. There are people everywhere! Plaza Catalunya was full of people! There are lots of shops and places to eat. I found a Starbucks (there was also a McDonald's, KFC, Burger Kind and Subway, all within close range of each other) and had a Frappaccino. It was nice and cool on a hot day.
I went back to the hostel and did laundry. I washed all of the new clothes and the rest of my Camino-wear. I decided to splurge on using the washer and dryer this time. It was reasonably priced, too, so that made my decision much easier.
Later on, I was in my room, which was now full of people. One of my roommates is from Montreal, and another....wait for it....from Portland, Oregon!!! She lives in SE Portland near Laurelhurst Park. I tried to play the "So who do you know in Portland that I know in Portland because Portland is such a small town" game, but we didn't find any matches except for the fact she is a University of Montana alumni! Small world indeed!
Today was my first full day in Barcelona. Since I'm only staying at this hostel for two nights, I wanted to go to Parc Guell because it's very close to the hostel.
I walked over, or rather, down a hill, then up a hill, then over through the back entrance to the park. I kept following the signs until I started to see people, then I heard flamenco music, and then I saw the main attraction, the Casa Museu Gaudi. It was quite impressive. His work is very organic with lots of nature, very few straight lines, and it kind of reminds me of a fairy tale cartoon, the way some of his buildings look.
After wandering around there for a bit, I headed to Plaza Catalunya to find the H&M. I lost about 7kg on the Camino de Santiago and my pants barely fit at the moment. I spent at least two hours there trying on clothes and attempting to figure out the European sizing. I bought a pair of jeans, a pair of capris and a short sleeved plaid shirt plus new undies and bras for just under 90 Euros. Not too bad.
Tourist season is in full swing in Europe. There are people everywhere! Plaza Catalunya was full of people! There are lots of shops and places to eat. I found a Starbucks (there was also a McDonald's, KFC, Burger Kind and Subway, all within close range of each other) and had a Frappaccino. It was nice and cool on a hot day.
I went back to the hostel and did laundry. I washed all of the new clothes and the rest of my Camino-wear. I decided to splurge on using the washer and dryer this time. It was reasonably priced, too, so that made my decision much easier.
Later on, I was in my room, which was now full of people. One of my roommates is from Montreal, and another....wait for it....from Portland, Oregon!!! She lives in SE Portland near Laurelhurst Park. I tried to play the "So who do you know in Portland that I know in Portland because Portland is such a small town" game, but we didn't find any matches except for the fact she is a University of Montana alumni! Small world indeed!