Photoblog // Barcelona in August

In August I went to visit my friend Kim and her friend Chelsey in Barcelona (and somehow it's already October? Please someone slow time down). I know Kim from university and we happened to be in the same program but we actually met in Spanish class. Strangely enough, we are both now living in Spain, albeit in different cities.

I had some time off work and Barcelona said "come to me". What a gorgeous city, full of life and culture and interesting people. The neighbourhood that Kim and Chelsey are living is so lovely, very artistic and has an air of antiquity about it that I really dig (and obviously they do too).

I lucked out the week I visited (minus a morning of rain), because La Fiesta mayor de Gràcia was taking place. Now, if you don't know much about these 'barrio parties' as I will call them, let me tell you in one word: excellent. Basically, all the neighbourhoods have outdoor parties through the summer with live music and of course some drinks, good food, and they're all a bit different from each other. This particular set of fiestas was kind of like Nuit Blanche (ehh Toronto people) meets festival meets street party. There were different zones with different types of music and each had a different theme (ex. Japan, some sort of Magritte-esque theme with apples). Interesting and a tremendous amount of fun and dancing and tinto (for one damn euro). We attended the festival on both nights I stayed in Barcelona. On the second day we began with swing music and moved our way to another plaza where an (Argentinian?) band was playing and we danced for an hour straight, bopping along, learning the words to the songs.

We did get in a beach day, climbed up to top of Park Guell (at night with an awesome view of Barcelona), danced our hearts out, saw some Gaudi houses, a brief sight of Sagrada Familia.

Also, of course, since I was with Kim: we ate well (hehe). A particularly nice spot was this cafe/restaurant near their flat. It was all natural and healthy foods (I had an amazing salad with fish), and also the place was so kitchy and nice. Mismatching chairs, indoor furniture outside on the terrace, you almost felt like you were in your grandmothers house, only, outside. Also we ate the best tacos after the day at the beach.

One last key thing we did, was sit and watch the sunset at Monjuric. It was so beautiful, after a rainy morning it was a nice change (even if none of the fountains were turned on...). The sun was shining so bright, making everything a warm orange colour. I think almost every photo I took of that sunset turned out nice.

I said three days in Barcelona wasn't enough... and what luck! I'm off to Barcelona again in November. This time though, I am going to meet up with a giant group of wild ones, my 2B crew! Beyond excited for that, hasta pronto Barcelona!

xx