The dogs are really barking tonight. And I don't mean cute puppies. I mean my swollen, blistered feet. I don't think I've ever spent so much time standing before in my life! Well...maybe you have. However my choice of shoes for today's adventures probably wasn't the smartest. I opted to wear my new espadrilles from France, since they matched my dress. But they have no support, and I hadn't broken them in yet. So, they were killing my toes and arches all day. Oh well. Cute over comfort is acceptable on occasion...just not in Europe.
Anyways, this morning we had a late wake up call--8:30am. WOW! An extra hour and a half. We ate some breakfast at 9, and were off to the metro by 10. We rode from our stop, Vallcarca, down past Catalunya square to Liceu. From here, we walked through the narrow streets to the Gothic Quarter. This area is the very oldest part of the city. Beneath it, there are Roman ruins, which we saw for ourselves in the museum we visited. For 2 hours, we walked underground in the museum (which was very well done and preserved) amongst original roman collumns and such. We saw the layout of the quarter before our own eyes--fascinating. I listened to the audio tour in Spanish, and tried to avoid reading the descriptions of all the different artifacts and areas in Spanish as well. Might as well do it while I can!
We had some time after the museum to walk around, and so my mom and I did some souvenir shopping, as did the other girls. We purchased ourselves Majorca pearl earrings--authentic to Spain. We got a discount, since two other teachers bought pearls too. I can't wait to wear them, because they are SO beautiful.
After that, we all walked as a group down by the bay and seaside. There, we were free to go to lunch, walk on th beach, and look around Barcelona for a bit more. I ate with the adult chaperones at a lovely little authentic restaurant where a 3 course meal was 11.50€. Good deal! My mom and I decided to get tapas instead of the meal, which was an excellent option. With a little bit of sangria, tapas, and dessert, it was a perfect meal. After, we had 1/2 hour to run to the beach, snap a quick picture, and run back to catch our reservation at the Picasso museum. Before the museum, we quickly explored a beautiful Gothic church, Santa Maria del Mar, and got out of the hot sun. When we got to the museum, the staff was slightly grumpy with us. We had to divide into 2 groups of 20, and we had to tick together in these groups in the museum.
Now, how exactly are 20 girls (not all of them interested in art) supposed to mov through at the same pace?
It didn't work.
The security guards didn't allow pictures, and they watched us like hawks. At one point, our feet were so tired that we had to sit on a bench in the hallway between exhibits. The guard approached me and asked me where my chaperone was: I replied that I was a chaperone, and she was all flustered. She told us we couldn't sit on the bench. When I asked her why there were benches if we couldn't sit, she replied that we just needed to get up and move. Rude. So we moved to other benches in the exhibit where Picasso's study of "Las Meninas" was displayed. His cubic take on Velazquez's classic was excellent and fascinating.
After the museum, we traipsed back to the hotel, ate some dinner, and here we are. Our last night in Barcelona. It's been a great few days here. Though I'm sad to leave, I'm excited to come home an sleep in my own bed, and use normal bathrooms. :)
Buenas noches! Off to the airport tomorrow at 9am for 12:55 flight to Paris, and then a flight around 5pm back home to Dulles. Hooray airfrance! America, here we come!
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