Chapter 16 "All-in-1, 1 Size fits all for only a $1"
Barcelona. The only team to beat mine in the 2006 champions league final. I had to see what it was all about. Barcelona is like an all-in-one gift. One size fits all here as it has everything for anyone. Though like most all-in-one gifts, you don't get the best of any of the one things, but the appeal of having it all at your disposal is the best part of it. Like those wrenches that have all the heads, but any real mechanic uses their own of each. Barcelona has beaches, history, culture, nightlife, a wicked football team (with the 3rd largest stadium in the world, Camp Nou) and gorgeous flamenco dancing women.
First off the beach. The beach is nice, not pebbly but not super sandy. The water however is filthy. As a snorkler, I saw nothing. Not dirty like Lake Ontario dirty, just not clear.
Next you have the nightlife. Incredible yet I still wouldn't say it was the best. Nightlife can run anytime between 10pm all the way until 6am. Nightclubs generally don't get pumping, or some even open until 2am. It's certainly one of the only cities that I saw people lining up to get in when I was leaving at 4:30am.
Finally the culture. Many historical buildings and architecture decorate the city streets. Of course the most famous of all these city streets is Las Ramblas. Not really a historical place, but a huge tourist "trap," I mean attraction. Certainly watch your wallet on this street. It's a huge walkway littered with postcard kiosks, street performers, artists and painters and pet stores. Yep, pet stores. I found this extremely odd watching people buy things like pigeons. Why the hell do you want to own a pigeon, let alone buy an animal off some guy from the street!? I just figured intelligent people would go to a park and catch one. Then again, they are buying a pigeon. I think that says enough.
The Catalonian people are very proud of their culture. They quickly define themselves as different from Spaniards. Not in a demeaning way, but I got the sense in a way a Quebecer might be proud to be french Canadian. A definate thing to do is go watch a flamenco dancer. It's a Spanish band who play traditional music (and as a musician myself, some of the best guitar I've heard) as a very good looking girl does a kind of tap dance / salsa to the lyrics of the song. At this point though I'd like to point out another defining feature. Though hopefully just a fad, their haircuts. Worst in Europe, or possibly the world. How the mullet and bowl cut possibly made it back, I have no clue. Every guy looks like either Lloyd from Dumb & Dumber or some 80's metal fan gone wrong still pissed off twisted sister aren't touring anymore. Every girl looks like either Winnie Cooper from the wonder years or some mullet queen of love. I'd rather do it myself then feel the touch of the mullet queen of love. The haircuts weren't cool then and they still aren't. However I'm sure just as many laughs will be had looking at year book photos 10 years from now.
In closing, Barcelona is definately a city worth visiting. It can offer you anything you want. Although I didn't get a chance to do it due to time constraints, visit Dali's city. A simple day trip that looks well worth it. Admire my favorite artist.
Cheers
Barcelona. The only team to beat mine in the 2006 champions league final. I had to see what it was all about. Barcelona is like an all-in-one gift. One size fits all here as it has everything for anyone. Though like most all-in-one gifts, you don't get the best of any of the one things, but the appeal of having it all at your disposal is the best part of it. Like those wrenches that have all the heads, but any real mechanic uses their own of each. Barcelona has beaches, history, culture, nightlife, a wicked football team (with the 3rd largest stadium in the world, Camp Nou) and gorgeous flamenco dancing women.
First off the beach. The beach is nice, not pebbly but not super sandy. The water however is filthy. As a snorkler, I saw nothing. Not dirty like Lake Ontario dirty, just not clear.
Next you have the nightlife. Incredible yet I still wouldn't say it was the best. Nightlife can run anytime between 10pm all the way until 6am. Nightclubs generally don't get pumping, or some even open until 2am. It's certainly one of the only cities that I saw people lining up to get in when I was leaving at 4:30am.
Finally the culture. Many historical buildings and architecture decorate the city streets. Of course the most famous of all these city streets is Las Ramblas. Not really a historical place, but a huge tourist "trap," I mean attraction. Certainly watch your wallet on this street. It's a huge walkway littered with postcard kiosks, street performers, artists and painters and pet stores. Yep, pet stores. I found this extremely odd watching people buy things like pigeons. Why the hell do you want to own a pigeon, let alone buy an animal off some guy from the street!? I just figured intelligent people would go to a park and catch one. Then again, they are buying a pigeon. I think that says enough.
The Catalonian people are very proud of their culture. They quickly define themselves as different from Spaniards. Not in a demeaning way, but I got the sense in a way a Quebecer might be proud to be french Canadian. A definate thing to do is go watch a flamenco dancer. It's a Spanish band who play traditional music (and as a musician myself, some of the best guitar I've heard) as a very good looking girl does a kind of tap dance / salsa to the lyrics of the song. At this point though I'd like to point out another defining feature. Though hopefully just a fad, their haircuts. Worst in Europe, or possibly the world. How the mullet and bowl cut possibly made it back, I have no clue. Every guy looks like either Lloyd from Dumb & Dumber or some 80's metal fan gone wrong still pissed off twisted sister aren't touring anymore. Every girl looks like either Winnie Cooper from the wonder years or some mullet queen of love. I'd rather do it myself then feel the touch of the mullet queen of love. The haircuts weren't cool then and they still aren't. However I'm sure just as many laughs will be had looking at year book photos 10 years from now.
In closing, Barcelona is definately a city worth visiting. It can offer you anything you want. Although I didn't get a chance to do it due to time constraints, visit Dali's city. A simple day trip that looks well worth it. Admire my favorite artist.
Cheers
posted by Marsha B | 12:09 PM
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