España Part 2

 Barcelona!

Chris and I took the commuter train, Renfe, into the city.  We lugged our bags to our hostel with the help of Chris' coworker, Sam and her boyfriend.  I was very thankful for the extra help!  We checked into our hostel, dropped off our luggage in our room, and prepared ourselves for a day of exploring and walking around town.

Side note- On travel days i.e. switching hotels, I was trained to wear a money belt to keep my passport and cash safe.  This worked well in the past.  However, a pregnant lady using a money belt with maternity pants is ridiculous and hilarious!   For those that don't know, maternity pants basically go up to your bra. Now picture trying to pull your pants down to get at your money belt that is below your baby bump. It's just laughable.  Chris wore his money belt with fewer problems; however, he did ask me if it made him look fat. (He wasn't joking!)  I simply replied, seriously, you are asking me if you look fat and I walked away. 

Our first day in BCN we explored the Las Ramblas, which is street with a huge walking area for people with lots of venders.  We also checked out La Boqueria, which is a large open air market. Then we wondered around the Barrio Gotico. This is a really cool neighborhood with narrow and windy streets. Sadly, I didn't take many pictures this day.

Barrio Gotico

Barcelona's Cathedral 

We took a midday siesta.  That evening we headed out to Camp Nou, the futbol stadium of FCB. They had their last home game of the season. We looked into buying tickets, but it would have been 70 euros per person for the worst seats. We passed on the tickets and decided to check out the atmosphere around the stadium on game day, and then we watched the game in a nearby bar.

Chris was very happy and in his element.

Day 2 in BCN was a busy day.  We woke up early to visit the Cathedral when it was free.  Then we stayed for mass. Mass in Spain is awesome and efficient.  It was done in 40 minutes, which long for Spain. It's usually a 30 minute event without any songs.

We were out so early that no one was there yet!

After mass we went to the Picasso Museum.  It was its free Sunday of the month so we were prepared to wait a while. Once we got there the line was so long ~ 2 hour wait was the estimate. Chris wasn't too sure, but I really wanted to try and wait.  A docent from the museum walked past the line, and had the 5 older ladies with canes behind us walk with her to the front of the line.  Then I realized I should show off my baby bump. When the same docent came back, Chris and I were pulled to the front of the line!! Thank you Baby V! Standing for 2 hours would have been a little hard on my back.

I felt like Charlie with the golden bump/ticket!

Cool courtyard in the museum.

We spent over 2 hours checking out Picasso's work. This is my most favorite museum I have ever been to in the world!  I highly recommend going to visit.

That afternoon we explored Parc Ciutadella, which is kind of like BCN's Central Park. It was busy due to a family festival. We had a great time walking around and people watching.

This fountain is beautiful!

We had big plans for Day 3.  We headed out to Camp Nou again to tour the stadium and the museum. Unfortunately, half of the exhibits were closed because Neymar Jr was having a press conference because he  just signed with FCB.  So we decided to come back to tour Camp Nou the next day when everything would be open.  Thanks Neymar for messing with our plans! 

So Day 3 became Gaudi's day!  We head over to Parc Guell. Gaudi originally designed this to be a wealthy neighborhood, but his idea didn't catch on.  So it became an awesome public park.  To get to this parc you have to do a lot of uphill walking. 

entrance

Chris playing around 

Normal Jane            ~       Pregnant Jane

We spent a lot of time walking around and exploring. We were a little disappointed that we didn't have a map nor could we find one. So this meant we had to walk a lot. 

We headed back to our hostel to buy tickets to the Sagrada Familia online to avoid waiting in a long line.  Then we were off to Gaudi's Basilica the Sagrada Familia.  This place is just amazing and a little over the top.  They started construction in 1882. About 20% was completed in 1926 when Gaudi died. The Spanish Civil War placed this peaceful place under attack. They are hoping to complete the construction in 2028. When I visited the Sagrada Familia eight years ago the nave/inside of the church was under construction. You could only see scaffolding on the inside. Not surprisingly, I cried once I entered the church to see the nave finished. If you enjoy nature, light, peace, and/or God, this is a must visit sight!

Nativity Facade             and             The Passion Facade

The pillars were inspired by Sycamore trees. Gaudi used nature to inspire his work.

It feels like you are walking through a forest in a way.

I got yelled at for taking this picture.  Sorry! I didn't know, but I'm glad I have this photo.

There is so much light inside.

We bought tickets to go up the Passion side's tower in an elevator and walk back down. I wasn't going to let being pregnant stop be from this experience!

Looking up at the towers while in between towers.

Looking out on to BCN.

The Risen Jesus on the Passion side.

I thought this photo was pretty cool with how the sun was hitting the Risen Christ. It was impressive to look up at him from ground once we got back down.

These were the easier stairs because of the walls on both sides.

The Valley Familia with the Sagrada Familia

Ok these stairs were a little scary. Can you tell Gaudi was influenced by a snail?

Locking Chris up in the tower!

We walked back to our hostel. On our walk back, we stumbled upon our favorite restaurant in BCN that we visited multiple times.