After seventeen hours of flying, I was finally greeted with the beauty of Barcelona, Spain. I can’t say I was disappointed–the old brick buildings, intricate architecture, what’s not to love? It was almost as if I took a step backward into the past. It had me even contemplating what it would be like living in Spain. The people there have a lot of respect for each other. They’re very friendly and polite and go about their day in a very fashionable manner. I tended to notice weaving in and out of traffic with bikes and motorcycles pretty often and no one got upset. To me, it showed how strongly they trusted each other.
However, being a tourist is a little different. Not knowing anyone, unsure of what to do, and how to adjust into an unfamiliar area can be difficult. My advice to you: tours are your best friend. They will help you get comfortable and give you exposure in the new place you’re visiting.
The Red and Blue Line are the two bus route options you can take throughout city that will show you all around town, and its hotspots. It even stops right in front of the Sagrada Familia, a popular attraction Barcelona has to offer. It is one of the holiest churches in the world and also one of the most beautiful buildings I’ve ever seen in my life. The walls have stained glass windows on every side that change color depending on sunlight and the architecture is very detailed with meaningful symbolism behind it.
If you’re more of the shopping type, a good spot to hit is La Rambla. It’s basically a big maze of stores hidden in a vast number of alleys. In fact, it’s so big, it will take you days to walk through the whole thing. Merchandise in Barcelona tend to go for cheap, so be sure to take that advantage.
If any of you students are interested in a very similar experience to mine, our school is not only planning on going to Spain, but also Paris as well. But you better act fast, as this trip is coming up in June of 2018. I have faith that you will not be disappointed and have no regrets.
