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Mr Google and my journey to Barcelona



Tagore said...."If they answer not to thy call walk alone"..I rather say, when you have Google by your side you never have to walk alone.

 It was Easter and the planned work was done by the time holidays fell. Four days in Budapest were very hectic with back to back meetings. Last day I realised everyone around were going on holidays and I shall be alone at home without anything to do ...not even work! Travelling alone for vacation was still a weird concept in mind...then I thought why not? what is the big deal...its mostly seeing new places and meeting new people...why do I always need a company?...so there I went and quickly did the bookings which were notoriously expensive..but worth enough for a new city and its culture.

 It was my fifteenth country - Espana....the culture and people always intrigued me ...I think they are very beautiful and speak their heart out..so there I was..

Barcelona from Park Guell
Since it was all last moment, I didn't even know what to see there...the couple sitting next to me in flight were discussing their fully planned itinerary and I was in complete darkness..got 15 mins of free wifi in the airport and Mr Google helped me found the way to my BnB. The way got blotched up in between and I was soon lost :)...but with gods grace got another free wifi and reached the house...my hostess was extremely sweet and caring only that she couldn't speak English..so there again Mr Google helped me out to converse...freshened up and Google and me quickly did some research on the itinerary and things to do in the day...
Started with MontJuic and the beautiful city from the hill top...Barcelona is so beautiful..sea, land and hills..and the land's been crafted by Gaudi- Antoni Gaudi...what would Barcelona be without him? saw the Sagrada Familia church...its been made since 100 years now..once asked when its gonna be finished..he had replied " My client is in no hurry..God has all the time in the world " :)...The interiors of the church is with huge tree like columns and amazing stain-glass and sculptures of Jesus and crucification...The first glimpse of the Mediterranean was also very refreshing with sunny sky and blue water and people relaxing- had lunch with Spanish Tapas. Well to be honest that's where I missed my husband. I was the only person alone there :p .
Casa Battlo
Then continued the next day with the Gaudi exploration by seeing Casa Battlo- a mesmerising house which doesn't have any straight line- feels like its completley inspired from the marine world.. Thereafter saw Park Guell - another Gaudi dreamland. Barcelona looks so amazing from Park Guell. Its where the most famous and commonly obtained Barcelona pics are shot at. Been around other areas with old Roman architecture and streets, monasteries and of course FC Barcelona. There are few districts inside Barcelona which were erstwhile villages and then later got into the map of the city- Sarria was one of them...walking through the old streets gives a quaint feeling.
Sagrada Familia Church from inside
No one ever comes back from Barcelona without being to La Ramblas street- the most famous and happening area in the city...you get restaurants, florists, sweet shops etc etc..and the Mercat La Bouquera...which is shown in TLC as well with hanging meat shops and all :) The last two things left to do was to have the Paella and see Flamenco. Paella(a traditional rice dish like Risotto) was very yummy :) and Flamenco was the best thing that I saw. Oh my God...I cant explain the beauty of the dance and the passion of the dancers and the voice of the singers..(few songs have a very folk Bengali tune to them)...Salute to the culture!

I had a trip hangover the day after I came back, which meant it went very well. Made some friends from Argentina as well. My host even woke up at 4:30 in the morning to make breakfast which was so sweet of her .. But as far as daring and adventure is concerned, I think those stories are there from my work trips to safe cities like Sydney(I went home searching at a carpenters house and there were dangerous tools lying around-freaky!!) and then I lived in an attic once in Netherlands :p cause I wanted to save money :p...This trip was far better and cosy and nice :) So that's it...a backpack trip well executed with strangers who turned friends . So if ever you have a wish-place to go and you don't have company , don't worry....go for it! :)

Comments

mita dey said…
Mamma you explain your trip to Bercelona very nicely... You are a brave girl from your childhood .... It is good that what you think you make it .... And you describe your journey very nicely .... I enjoyed it very much .. But please be careful about your surroundings
mita dey said…
Mamma your description about Bercelona trip is very worm . and beautiful. From your childhood you are very brave girl. This trip proved that once again ... I enjoyed your writing very much ... And your reference of the Tagore is very appropriate. If there is nobody go alone.
Unknown said…
Beautiful :)
dream on:)
d i l i p said…
Woww. Just wow :-)
Monalees:) said…
Thanks Ma, Dilip and Bibia :)

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