So, from Warsaw I moved on direction Barcelona. Those who know me since a long time, know how I “love” FC “Barcelona”: I was never making it secret. Last year made me softer, because football wars became pretty irrelevant after the real war in my home region. It didn’t make me like “Barcelona” though, but at least I had a feeling that I would definitely like the city.

And it was so. Actually, first I went to a small town Valldoreix near Barcelona, where my Spanish friend from Tbilisi lives. She did so many things for me, that I can’t express my gratefulness in words <3 We spent Sunday in touristic places (La Rambla and surroundings, Mediterranean coast, tapas, sangria - all you need to get acquainted with the city as a tourist), and then went to her grandparents for Sunday lunch (something you need to experience non-touristic Barcelona).

Maite’s grandparents live near the stadium “Camp Nou”. Now, laugh at me :)) 10 years ago I would have said that I wouldn’t be able to eat a single fork of paella in such a neighbourhood, but now it was superfine: Maite’s Grandpa is an excellent cook and, in addition, a fan of “Real Madrid”. So lunch was perfect!

Having grabbed some local croissants (all grandparents think that the grandchildren are underfed!), we returned to Valldoreix to enjoy great weather, Spanish beer and forest, where you can breathe fresh air.

By the way, it’s not that I emphasize “Spanish” things… But according to some people I spoke to, it is also possible that Spain can be so tired of Catalan “let us go!”-thing, that they will vote for it and get rid of rebellious region, which may remain in isolation, with investors fleeing to Spain.

Kinda like that. But young people walking down the streets, collecting signatures, police is trying to keep safety during their rallies, and everything looks relatively civilized (especially as I compare it to Ukraine). Anyways, I wish just the best to the city, region and its inhabitants. May the best possible thing happen (not like in my home place)!

Ok, it was enough politics. Let’s take a look at architecture. Of course, if we say “Barcelona”, we mean “Gaudi”, and vice versa, but there are much more stunning things in Barcelona!

At some point, I stopped making pictures and started just walking and gazing around: there is absolutely beautiful stuff everywhere. In the old town I was almost shivering, because I really, really love Gothic style that much! One night I was walking through small streets leading to the cathedral, and suddenly heard a man singing a typical Spanish song and playing guitar. Full moon, those streets, walls and balconies, and that  song… That was the moment I FELT Spain!

The touristic place I liked the most was Parc Montjuic. I also visited the Olympic Stadium near it, and enjoyed amazing view from there. Museum CaixaForum, which is not that far from there and Placa Espanya, had also a surprize for me: a temporary exhibition from Prado museum, Madrid.

And those bazaars with delicious fresh juices, tons of fruits, chocolate and nougat, cold horchata for breakfast in the morning, fish and seafood everywhere! Oh. Food in Barcelona obviously was making me happy, as well as the local habit to start drinking beer almost from the morning.

And – bicycles! Rentals are all over the city. First I rented a bike for 2 hours and paid 6 euros (compared to Poland, where Rafal rented 2 bikes for 1 zloty/hour (0.25 euros) , it was too much). But then I found a very nice rental El Ciclo on Nou de St. Francesc (find it in facebook, if you like). Bike costed 4 euros/2 hours, and the quality of service was very good.

Scooters in Barcelona are a bit scary. Because of them, sometimes it was a little uncomfortable to cycle even on bicycle path, but cycling along the coastline reminded me on Batumi 🙂 But the sand beaches are more comfortable than those stones at the Georgian coast!

And after I cycled, ate and saw enough (although I’d love to see and eat much more!), I moved on to Budapest, and that will be the topic of the next post. Keep in touch 😉