Degustación de Tapas - Part 2

I finally arrived at my destination...Freddy ... take it away!

Yes, the grand and great Barcelona. Here, you can enjoy tapas, tiny Spanish dishes to tempt your taste buds. Host of the 1992 Summer Olympics. Famous for Sangria, a fruity red wine and aged ham. While living in Japan, I had often heard from the Japanese: "You must go to Spain! The food is wonderful!" So this trip was to be a gastronomic tour. Like a bull hungry for the matador, I was off and ready to eat as soon as the plane landed. Tore! 

After a late arrival, I awoke the next morning ready. The tiny hostel I would call home for the next few days surprised us with a free breakfast! Check out the trilingual menu: 

Another surprise, which I learned on this morning: my traveling companion could speak fluent Spanish!   My friend fluently conversed with the owner of the hostel, an older woman, explaining what we'd like to eat, asked about the neighborhood and other things, all in Spanish. Wow!

View from the breakfast room in the hostel... a lovely sunny day!

While chatting with a French father and his son over breakfast, we agreed on the first "must do" in Barcelona. Can you guess where we went? 

Hint: 

I'm here! Woo!

Yes, the famous church, Sagrada Familia. This was actually the only thing I wanted to see in Barcelona. Antoni Gaudi, Spain's most famous architect, had designed this masterpiece, beginning the construction in 1883. It has yet to be completed, but predictions say it will be ready by 2020. 

From the hostel to the church, we took a slight detour to see the Arc de Triomf of Barcelona. Information is HERE. My traveling companion and I both remarked how the whole scene was something out of Paris....

Once arriving at Sagrada Familia, one will notice a long line stretching around the church grounds. It's well worth noting that you can buy tickets, in advance, online and thus, skip the long line. I didn't do that, so we ended up braving the line -- which took about 40 minutes. Once inside, we purchased an audioguide and walked through the immense complex on our own. 

Cutenekko is ready to start the audio guided tour!

 The guide is easy to follow. Visitors look for these large boards, posted in numerical order around the site. You press the matching button on your radio and listen to detailed explanations of the construction, specific points of interests and designers who worked on the project. Several languages are available too -- but not Japanese (as my poor friend found out).

Words cannot really describe this Basilica; the entire building is covered is art, sculptures and unique features. Outside, we observed the first of many facades. This one, entitled "The Passion Facade" depicts the stages of the cross and Jesus' death. The sculptures were deigned by the German artist, Joseph Maria Subirachs, not Gaudi. More information and details can be found HERE. 

Crucifixion: 

The sentencing: 

Entering the doors of the church, I was surprised to find even the floor had been adored with art...

Joseph and Mary on the way to Bethlehem:

I took too many photos from inside the Sagrada Familia, so I will share those tomorrow.  

Barcelona airport and access information is HERE. 

The easiest way from the airport to downtown is via the Aerobus, which leaves every 10~15 minutes. Cost one way = about 6 Euros per person. Buy a return ticket if you are in the city less than 10 days -- it's cheaper. Bus info is HERE. 

Sagrada Familia is a must see in Barcelona. Information on tours, ticket prices and booking online (found at the lower right of the website) is HERE. 

The hostel we stayed in is highly recommended! The rooms were comfortable and clean. It's also located in a very safe area of the city (to the West is a bit dangerous). This is not a "party place" and there is a strict "no noise after 10pm" rule. Note: The lady does not speak English, but breakfast is included in the price. Per guest, per night was about 30 Euros. Hostel info is HERE.