Barcelona, Spain

What Led Me There 

I went to Spain after studying abroad in France. France and Spain are right next to each other and the proximity made me want to visit. It was while two of my classmates went to Spain during our Spring break that I was in Morocco. While in Morocco, I had a terrible incident and was going to flee the country and join them in Spain, but I chose not to. I stayed. But it was because of their trip that I decided that I was going to go to Spain. I would have gotten there the same summer after they went but instead ended up having to leave France because of COVID. Since then, it was my plan to return to France and I did, at the end of summer just the next year.  

What I Expected 

I didn’t really know what to expect. Even though I know about bits and pieces of Spanish culture, I don’t know about it in depth.  

What I Got 

Barcelona is so gorgeous. I wouldn’t know where to begin. The beaches, the architecture, the art, the sangria! It was not only that but the laidback ways of the culture that contradicts so much of what its neighbor France s about. It’s a place where you can really go and just chill. Spain very much reminds me of California in Spain. The people are chill, the vibes are right and the sangria is strong (that last part isn’t like California, but you get my point).  

The city was walkable and I found everything I needed to be nearby and quick. Beyond that, Spain felt very affordable and easy going. I never felt like I was breaking the bank being in Spain, for tours, for food, for groceries, for anything, everything was just right, plus the weather was beautiful and the sun was out. There are so many airports and train and busses and boats and all the things to get around by. Lovely, is the word that best describes my time and experience there.  

Where I Went 

Barceloneta 

I came across this beach by accident. It just happened to be right down the street from my hotel. Barceloneta beach is a gorgeous beach surrounded by beautiful yachts and great restaurants. You can head to the beach in the morning to catch a gorgeous sunrise or go to dinner at one of the many surrounding restaurants and then visit the beach to catch the sunset. There’s also the W hotel Barcelona in the backdrop. The crystal-clear water and cool temperature make it a great spot to chill at.  

Basílica de la Sagrada Familia  

Honestly, I came here because of the cheetah girls. This church began being built in 1882 and is still under construction today. It is anticipated to be completed in 2026. It’s gorgeous stain-glassed windows and amazing interior design are definitely worth seeing. The exterior holds beautiful facades representing the life of Christ and the transition of walking from indoors to outdoors through stunning doorways, make it an amazing experience. You can buy tickets through the website, go through security, and see the cathedral in about an hour’s time.  

What Next? 

In recent years, Spain has been in the news due to a housing crisis and anger about the number of Airbnb’s in Spain that make it hard for locals to rent and have made rent unaffordable. This led to many Airbnb’s being shut down in Spain. There’s also been growing anger about tourism in Spain, as it is a very popular destination. Because of this and the new entry fee to get into Europe in general, I want to wait for the anti-tourism sentiment to die down before I visit Spain again out of respect for the locals. There’s a lot that I want to see and get to in all of Spain in general. It’s all in due time. ain.