All of last week, I was lucky enough to spend time with my parents in Barcelona! Between playing tour-guide, trying out different restaurants, and discovering new places, the week went by incredibly fast.
Monday
I went to class, then met up with my parents at their hotel, only a ten-minute walk away from my apartment. Our first stop was Marcelona, a cute little café on corner of Aragó and Passeig de San Joan that I've been meaning to try since I moved in! My dad remarked how to him, coffee here seems distinctly better than coffee back home because it has more of a roasted taste. I showed parents my apartment, and my mom instantly recognized one of my walls - the one she always sees in the background when we video chat. :)
Next, I took my parents to Plaza Universitat. We went to the Movistar store to get a SIM card for my dad's cellphone, and then headed across the street so I could show my parents around the University.
We ate dinner at Cosmo, a seemingly favorite sandwich shop around the corner, and then rather spontaneously metro-ed to an English-language cinema, Yelmo Cines Icaria, down by La Vila Olímpica (close to the beach) to watch The Avengers. I think the jet-lag hit in when the theater lights dimmed, because my oh-so energetic, "we're ready for anything!" parents turned in to sleepy ones nodding off until The Hulk threw his first tantrum.
Tuesday
My parents got their first taste of traditional Spanish food for breakfast at a café by the Girona metro stop. They tried Spanish tortilla, pan con tomate, and fresh pastries. We then took the bus to what I still believe is my favorite place in Barcelona: Parc Güell. For dinner, we enjoyed tapas at Betlem, also by the Girona metro. My dad ordered some delicious cheese plate that came with toasted bread chips and hazelnuts. I ordered cava for all of us, and my parents and I quickly came to a realization: this dinner was the first time that we could all enjoy a drink together, as 1) no one had to drive home and 2) I was of (above, actually) the legal drinking age in Spain.
Wednesday
For lunch, my mom and I shared a bikini (grilled cheese sandwich with ham), and my dad had a crepe with rocafort cheese and tomatoes at La Valenciana by the university.
I took my parents to the Arc de Triomf and Parc Ciutadella, where I played ping-pong with my dad.
We had three very close games, the score tied until the end, at which point my dad won every time.
Afterwards, we explored inside of La Sagrada Familia. It was very different from any other church I've seen, especially in comparison to the other grand European churches. On the inside, the curved walls, light coloring, and his architectural style incorporating nature gave off a peaceful, airy vibe rather than creating an intimidating or oppressive environment.
For dinner, we ate at El Rincón Criollo, an Argentinean restaurant that has been on my to-try list! They had delicious empanadas. My dad is a vegetarian, however, and before learning this, the waiter seemed a bit confused as to why we weren't ordering any of the specials. In other words, I must go back.
Thursday
Bo de B! We ate our sandwiches by the port, and then walked to and around the Gothic quarter. Stumbling inside the old cathedral, the Basilica La Seu, we were able to take the elevator to the roof. On the ground floor in the garden area, there was an area full of rowdy geese. Their broad bills and nasally honks reminded me of when I was little in London, trying to feed the ducks, and got attacked by a bold goose who was bigger than me. They still kind of scare me!
At night, we went to Plaza Espanya to see the fountain shows. Before the sun went down, we went to the mall, Las Arenas, to get coffee and then head to the top terrace for a nice view of the fountains from above. My mom remembered how she was there when she was a little girl (10 years old?) because my grandparents took her and her sister to see a bullfight. Afterwards, when eating dinner, they brought out the meat and my grandpa said, "Remember the bull? There it is!" after which my mom cried. Bullfighting is now banned in Catalonia. The fountain shows were very beautiful, consisting of colorful lights, impressive water works, and dramatic music.
We ate dinner at Dune, a restaurant close to my parents' hotel.
Friday
My parents and I took a day trip to Tarragona to see the Roman ruins (mom's favorite). The first site visited was the remains of The Forum. Upon arriving, we met a very nice old man at the ticket booth who informed us that as of one day ago, entrances to all sites under the municipality of Tarragona were free! He was so polite and grandfatherly (accidentally called me cariño, which means "dear" or "honey") and relayed great news, giving us an optimistic and cheerful start to our day.
We explored the city, walking along the old caste walls, ducking into the house of a once extremely wealthy family, and pretending to be gladiators inside the amphitheater that sat right along the beach.
Who would I be if I didn't mention the food? For lunch, we had yummy whole-wheat crepes in Tarragona. Back in Barcelona in the evening, we had dinner at some restaurant in between my apartment and my parents' hotel. It looked small and unassuming from the outside, but once we made our way past the men at the bar, we came across a rather large restaurant with good food, generous Spanish portions, and all locals (minus us) enjoying a late meal. The table next to us was celebrating someone's birthday, and as the friends were singing, my dad commented on the fact that although the words were in Spanish, the happy birthday tune remained the same as back in the states.
Saturday
I took my parents to Gracia so they could see another neighborhood of Barcelona. We walked around looking at the cute shops and restaurants and little streets. For lunch, we had salad, quiche, and pizza at some hippy-esque vegetarian café, then frozen yogurt elsewhere. Afterwards, after some more wandering around, we sat down in one of the big plazas to people watch. We were there until the late afternoon when kids got out of school and parents got off work.
At around 7 or so, Heidy met us at Elephanta, a bar that specializes in gin and tonics. Heidy and I both ordered drinks with red fruit, and my mom and dad ordered more classic gin and tonics with hints of lemon and orange.
For dinner, the four of us went to the Chinese restaurant by the Arc de Triomf, with which my friends and I have a love-hate (but mostly love) relationship. The food is delicious and the portions large, but the waiters always seem curt and negligent. As it was Saturday night and the entire upstairs was hosting some party for people dressed in drag and gothic attire, the line was out the door. When we were paying, apparently my dad gave one of the waiters (who has long bangs that cover one of his eyes and who never looks happy) some goofy smile, and he suddenly smiled with a little-boy grin. Heidy, my mom, and I couldn't help but laugh.
At night, I went with Heidy to see a live music performance at The Quiet Man in El Raval (thanks to Dave for spreading the word!). It was an Italian band consisting of stand-up bass, violin, 12-string guitar, tambourine, and vocals.
Sunday
After several busy, eventful days, a lazy Sunday was much needed and appreciated. It was also raining. I hung out at my parents' hotel and did some work, while my mom played games on her computer and my dad read a book (typical). We ventured outside for dinner at Princesa 23, perhaps now one of my favorite restaurants here! I loved the relaxed yet trendy ambience produced by the red lighting, curved arches, and scattered decorations.
Monday
I went to class, then met up with my parents at their hotel, only a ten-minute walk away from my apartment. Our first stop was Marcelona, a cute little café on corner of Aragó and Passeig de San Joan that I've been meaning to try since I moved in! My dad remarked how to him, coffee here seems distinctly better than coffee back home because it has more of a roasted taste. I showed parents my apartment, and my mom instantly recognized one of my walls - the one she always sees in the background when we video chat. :)
Next, I took my parents to Plaza Universitat. We went to the Movistar store to get a SIM card for my dad's cellphone, and then headed across the street so I could show my parents around the University.
We ate dinner at Cosmo, a seemingly favorite sandwich shop around the corner, and then rather spontaneously metro-ed to an English-language cinema, Yelmo Cines Icaria, down by La Vila Olímpica (close to the beach) to watch The Avengers. I think the jet-lag hit in when the theater lights dimmed, because my oh-so energetic, "we're ready for anything!" parents turned in to sleepy ones nodding off until The Hulk threw his first tantrum.
Tuesday
My parents got their first taste of traditional Spanish food for breakfast at a café by the Girona metro stop. They tried Spanish tortilla, pan con tomate, and fresh pastries. We then took the bus to what I still believe is my favorite place in Barcelona: Parc Güell. For dinner, we enjoyed tapas at Betlem, also by the Girona metro. My dad ordered some delicious cheese plate that came with toasted bread chips and hazelnuts. I ordered cava for all of us, and my parents and I quickly came to a realization: this dinner was the first time that we could all enjoy a drink together, as 1) no one had to drive home and 2) I was of (above, actually) the legal drinking age in Spain.
Wednesday
For lunch, my mom and I shared a bikini (grilled cheese sandwich with ham), and my dad had a crepe with rocafort cheese and tomatoes at La Valenciana by the university.
I took my parents to the Arc de Triomf and Parc Ciutadella, where I played ping-pong with my dad.
We had three very close games, the score tied until the end, at which point my dad won every time.
Afterwards, we explored inside of La Sagrada Familia. It was very different from any other church I've seen, especially in comparison to the other grand European churches. On the inside, the curved walls, light coloring, and his architectural style incorporating nature gave off a peaceful, airy vibe rather than creating an intimidating or oppressive environment.
For dinner, we ate at El Rincón Criollo, an Argentinean restaurant that has been on my to-try list! They had delicious empanadas. My dad is a vegetarian, however, and before learning this, the waiter seemed a bit confused as to why we weren't ordering any of the specials. In other words, I must go back.
Thursday
Bo de B! We ate our sandwiches by the port, and then walked to and around the Gothic quarter. Stumbling inside the old cathedral, the Basilica La Seu, we were able to take the elevator to the roof. On the ground floor in the garden area, there was an area full of rowdy geese. Their broad bills and nasally honks reminded me of when I was little in London, trying to feed the ducks, and got attacked by a bold goose who was bigger than me. They still kind of scare me!
At night, we went to Plaza Espanya to see the fountain shows. Before the sun went down, we went to the mall, Las Arenas, to get coffee and then head to the top terrace for a nice view of the fountains from above. My mom remembered how she was there when she was a little girl (10 years old?) because my grandparents took her and her sister to see a bullfight. Afterwards, when eating dinner, they brought out the meat and my grandpa said, "Remember the bull? There it is!" after which my mom cried. Bullfighting is now banned in Catalonia. The fountain shows were very beautiful, consisting of colorful lights, impressive water works, and dramatic music.
We ate dinner at Dune, a restaurant close to my parents' hotel.
Friday
My parents and I took a day trip to Tarragona to see the Roman ruins (mom's favorite). The first site visited was the remains of The Forum. Upon arriving, we met a very nice old man at the ticket booth who informed us that as of one day ago, entrances to all sites under the municipality of Tarragona were free! He was so polite and grandfatherly (accidentally called me cariño, which means "dear" or "honey") and relayed great news, giving us an optimistic and cheerful start to our day.
We explored the city, walking along the old caste walls, ducking into the house of a once extremely wealthy family, and pretending to be gladiators inside the amphitheater that sat right along the beach.
Who would I be if I didn't mention the food? For lunch, we had yummy whole-wheat crepes in Tarragona. Back in Barcelona in the evening, we had dinner at some restaurant in between my apartment and my parents' hotel. It looked small and unassuming from the outside, but once we made our way past the men at the bar, we came across a rather large restaurant with good food, generous Spanish portions, and all locals (minus us) enjoying a late meal. The table next to us was celebrating someone's birthday, and as the friends were singing, my dad commented on the fact that although the words were in Spanish, the happy birthday tune remained the same as back in the states.
Saturday
I took my parents to Gracia so they could see another neighborhood of Barcelona. We walked around looking at the cute shops and restaurants and little streets. For lunch, we had salad, quiche, and pizza at some hippy-esque vegetarian café, then frozen yogurt elsewhere. Afterwards, after some more wandering around, we sat down in one of the big plazas to people watch. We were there until the late afternoon when kids got out of school and parents got off work.
At around 7 or so, Heidy met us at Elephanta, a bar that specializes in gin and tonics. Heidy and I both ordered drinks with red fruit, and my mom and dad ordered more classic gin and tonics with hints of lemon and orange.
For dinner, the four of us went to the Chinese restaurant by the Arc de Triomf, with which my friends and I have a love-hate (but mostly love) relationship. The food is delicious and the portions large, but the waiters always seem curt and negligent. As it was Saturday night and the entire upstairs was hosting some party for people dressed in drag and gothic attire, the line was out the door. When we were paying, apparently my dad gave one of the waiters (who has long bangs that cover one of his eyes and who never looks happy) some goofy smile, and he suddenly smiled with a little-boy grin. Heidy, my mom, and I couldn't help but laugh.
At night, I went with Heidy to see a live music performance at The Quiet Man in El Raval (thanks to Dave for spreading the word!). It was an Italian band consisting of stand-up bass, violin, 12-string guitar, tambourine, and vocals.
Gabby, Heidy, and Sabina with the stand-up bass player.
After several busy, eventful days, a lazy Sunday was much needed and appreciated. It was also raining. I hung out at my parents' hotel and did some work, while my mom played games on her computer and my dad read a book (typical). We ventured outside for dinner at Princesa 23, perhaps now one of my favorite restaurants here! I loved the relaxed yet trendy ambience produced by the red lighting, curved arches, and scattered decorations.
Monday
After class, I actually met up with Amy and Janice, both Cal and Gamma Phi Beta alums! They happened to be traveling Europe on vacation and it was their last day in Barcelona. We walked through La Boquería, where they tried the fresh fruit smoothies and saw the meat displays of animal heads (teeth and eyes intact), tongues, kidneys, etc.
Monday was also my parents' last full day in Barcelona. We sat along the Arc de Triomf pathway for a little bit, hung out at my apartment, and then had a nice dinner at Betlem (more delicious cheese...mmm).
Thanks, Mom & Dad, for everything!
My parents in front of Plaza Tetuan. (My dad is wearing the University of Salamanca sweatshirt I got him when I studied abroad for a month in Salamanca, Spain five years ago - my first taste of studying and living abroad!)
