Barcelona Open: Tennis Anyone?

Before each leg of my trip, I did a little research on the best sights to see and what activities/shows would be in town. In Scotland, Glamis Castle wasn't on my list until I did my research and it ended up being one of the highlights. Certainly, I had the best meal in Scotland at Glamis Castle. In Paris, I did my research and I came up with a few things that were on the "must see" list, but I was happy to follow Christelle's lead (being a Parisian and all). Barcelona was almost a whim. I never really thought that I would come to Spain. A previous boss of mine made it clear to me that he HATED Spain and would never come back, but the more I talked to my friends and friends of friends, the more wonderful things I heard about Spain and Barcelona in particular. So, needing to keep myself entertained for a week between France and Italy, I booked Barcelona and THEN figured out what I was going to do while here.

(I am so thankful that I can write sentences like keeping myself entertained between France and Italy. I am fully aware just how awesome this trip is and how few people have the opportunity to just GO to Europe and tool around for a while. I am counting my blessings every day. Trust me.)

The only thing I knew about Barcelona before getting here was that Barcelona is an architectural wonder. And knowing that, all I really did was plan to physically look around while in town. I didn't think it would take much planning. Accidentally running into Casa Battló on my first day was pretty amazing and made me realise what I was up for. Gaudi (the architect) built a number of major works in Barcelona and everywhere I go, I seem to run into more and more of them. Today, for instance, I ran into this.

Just a gate. A BadAss Gate.

We should all have gates like this

And the whole reason I ran into this was because prior to getting here, I found out the Barcelona Open was in town and booked myself a ticket. So, this morning I walked 1km, took a subway, walked another 1.5km to get to Reial Club de Tennis Barcelona 1899. And about 2 blocks before getting there, saw this Gaudi thing. =)

The tournament facility itself was underwhelming (maybe because the facility in Sydney is bigger - the only other tennis facility I can compare it to). But it was clean, there were plenty of options for food and there were a lot of bathroom stalls available. There was one stand that sold souvenirs and I was not impressed, but I wasn't there for that. I was there for the tennis, which (even on day one, round one) was impressive.

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am habitually early. Maybe even the first one on site.

I was able to stay for 2 full matches and a few games into a 3rd match. The play was great. Most of the competitors were from Spain and you could really tell who was a favorite of the crowd. Albert Ramos-Vinolas, for example. "Vamos Ramos" was a popular cry. Also, a lot of "Va!" or "Va, va, va!" (Go!) Unfortunately, all the crowd support in the world doesn't win you the game. 

Ramos in Orange

Going for the overhead smash

Looking dejected between games (shortly before losing)

The grounds crew had to clean up after all the sliding, digging, slipping and temper tantrums.

I tried really hard to take some good service shots.

Overall great games by all the players (none of whom I'd heard of previously). So, after I'd had enough sun and fun, I walked back to the Metro and back to my hotel.

It's been a damned lot of walking and I'm exhausted all the time. It reminds me of when I first did P90X. They warn you that the first week you'll be exhausted but then get fit and used to working out everyday. I'm hoping that's the case for me because I'm just wiped. Tonight, I had to go out for dinner and couldn't do it. I walked around the block and decided to order delivery. I ordered sushi delivery and was SUPER full and satisfied. I love sushi, could eat it everyday, and think that Sushi Delivery might be the best thing ever.

And with that, I'm off to sleep. I've got no plans for tomorrow and might do nothing. I honestly might only go out for food and take care of myself. 

(The only thing I still must see while in Barcelona is La Sagrada Familia, anything else would be a bonus)

Barcelona: Getting Lost Accidentally

This morning started off strong. Like a champ, I went directly to the correct Metro station, jumped on the train that pulled up just as I got there and disembarked at the second to last stop (just as I had planned). I followed the signs for the Metro exit and was lead to a set of elevators. I got in and pressed the up arrow. I had no idea I was as far underground as I was. The lift went up and up and up until I thought I would pop out of the roof and fly over London. It must have been 20 stories. No joke. 

At street level, I followed the signs to Park Güell - my intended destination. As I was walking, I saw some amazing views of Barcelona, a local soccer game and I ended up on a nature walk. I was following a crowd, but ended up making a wrong turn and 10 minutes into the nature walk, I found myself at a restaurant where I thought I should probably order tapas (Patatas Bravas y Chorizo. Sparkling water and a café/espresso). 

After my tasty lunch, I head back onto the path and found my way to Park Güell. Unfortunately, tickets were sold out until 3pm (it was not even 1pm at that time) and I was tired. I decided to pay 5.50 Eur to see Gaudi's home. The place he lived while he worked on La Sagrada Familia (which I haven't been to yet, but will visit in a few days). It was not worth the money, except there was a chair inside where I rested. Here are some pictures from the house and the surrounding area (including some sneaky shots of the park from over walls/fences.)

  

 If I hadn't lost my way, I probably would've scored a timely ticket into the park, but I don't mind. The lunch was pretty good, but the graffiti I saw along the way was even better.

It turned out that I had taken the Metro to the back of the park, rather than the front toursity area. I think this was a great and happy accident. I saw so much more than just the park. Three street musicians/bands, lots of locals walking their dogs, some sort of religious ceremony. It was great. And when I was all done looking around, I followed signs to the nearest metro station (1250m - 20 minutes). I was wrecked and needed a siesta. After a lovely afternoon nap, I decided to go to a sushi place for dinner.

Again, I head out towards it, but just missed the mark. I know I was close, but there were a bunch of other sushi places, so I picked Sushi Shop (which delivers sushi boxes!). It was delicious and in a very posh part of town (right next to Dolche & Gabbana), so it wasn't cheap. I've had dinners ranging from 3.50 to 24.50 Eur. I guess it all evens out. This restaurant was also across the street from another one of Gaudi's works. Casa Viva. 

After dinner, I took the subway back to the hotel. I've really figured out the subway system and how to get  back 'home'. 

One final treat for the night. I found this on the sidewalk and snagged it for a free and fun souvenir. Will the adventures never stop?! (I hope not)

Barcelona: Getting Lost on Purpose

Today's goal was to get lost (on purpose), to learn about my neighborhood and how to get around. I took a look at the maps Cristina had given me, and google maps and figured out a general direction that I'd like to go. I decided NOT to ask for directions from Reception because the purpose was to GET LOST.

Fun little side note about me. It doesn't take much for me to get lost. I'm like Marcus Brody in Indiana Jones - who got lost in his OWN museum.

So, I walked out of the hotel, turned right and right again thinking that I was going in the general direction as planned. NOPE. Immediately wrong. Getting lost....so easy for me.

I decided to go with it. I knew early on that I was going in the opposite direction I meant to, but I didn't care. After 7 blocks, I happened upon a Metro Station and proceeded to buy a ticket.

The ticket machine had an option for English (awesome) but you had to pay by Zone. I will save you the detailed description of looking confused for 10 minutes - just picture me looking at all kinds of different train maps with a furrowed brow. I chose a ticket that would allow me to go 10 trips of a distance of 2 zones (having found a map that showed me I would only ever need to be in Zone 1 or Zone 2). I then proceeded through the turnstile, down some stairs and stared at a map again. There were two platforms. One going to Plaça Catalonya (the side I was on) and one going everywhere else (or so it seemed). I was ALONE on my side and thought I should maybe follow the crowd a little and go to the other side. So, I did. I picked a train and rode it for 20 minutes, all the while having NO idea where I was going. Eventually, figured out that I was going north. I felt like I'd gotten on the Dublin/Pleasanton line train and was heading away from everything, into the suburbs. It was a nice train ride actually but completely the opposite of where I wanted to be. I got off, turned around and went back...eventually getting off at (you guessed it) Plaça Catalonya. A 40 minute train ride to go 1 stop. Totally worth it though. The view was beautiful. Green trees and hills. Suburbia.

I had lunch at Woki Organic Market and then head out to wander. Basically, I ended up on a popular street with shops (fancy expensive shops). It was a nice street with restaurants and benches and lots of people. I turned right and right again. I stopped on the corner, not sure of where to go next. I saw a hop-on/hop-off bus had stopped and everyone sitting on the top in the open air section was staring at the building right next to me. I looked at the street and saw that they were all staring and taking pictures too. I looked up and found that I was at Casa Batlló, which (after "discover the city by foot") is the top "thing to see/do" in Barcelona (aka "Discover Gaudi and Modernism").

The Catalan architect, Gaudi, created this home (yes, it's A HOME!) with no plans for the design. He gave direct instruction to the masons based on drawings he had done and a plaster model.

Every design inside the house, every touch point is intentional, artistic, functional. The door handles or window handles form to the hand. The banisters are soft to the touch, they are the right shape for a hand. The house is also known as the house of bones. Dali said it is a house of sea shapes.

I have not studied architecture, nor design, and though I have studied poetry and prose, there is nothing I can write to explain to you the magnificence of this property. I suggest you read up on it here. And I highly recommend you take the tour if you ever get the chance.

This is what happens when an artist is unrestricted.

From the window handles, to the wrought iron fencing on the patio, to the stairwells and stairways, Modernism spills throughout.

Skylights inspired by tortoise shells?

A fireplace set into a mushroom-shaped room, two seats (one for a chaperon, one larger one for the couple being chaperoned)

A model of the facade

A narrow hallway given the illusion of space by steep archways

The rooftop: Chimneys

Beautiful and Functional

Those are glass pieces

Gaudi built an indoor...I don't even know what you'd call it. It's a stairwell around an elevator. It's a 6 story shaft of light. He created the roof in such a way and the walls in such a way and the choice of colors and materials in such a way that the sun bounces and shines from the top to the bottom magically allowing for light throughout. The glass gives the impression that you are underwater.

I loved this place so much that I might go back again. It felt like Disneyland, where no detail was left unfinished (and it spat you out into a store, where I wanted to buy everything).

Terrace art, that's a pool of water to the right reflecting the fence

An interior window

What are we even looking at here? Amazing.

La Roche Sur Yon France to Barcelona Spain: Riding the Rails

Yesterday, I woke up in France and was driven to the La Roche Sur Yon train station. As always, I wanted to be there early, but this was a little pointless due to the punctuality of the train system. I took a TGV train (fast train, not a local). It was due to arrive at 9:47am from it's previous stop, and due to depart at 9:49am. TWO MINUTES to disembark and board. These trains don't mess around.

I had requested forward facing seats for the three trains I would be taking. Unfortunately, two of the seats were backwards facing. Ultimately, this was fine. The TGV trains have a maximum service speed of 300kph (186mph) and watching the countryside zip by at this speed is not something my brain can process backwards. I get disoriented and a little dizzy. I took a 1/2 a Travelcalm pill, which took all the nervousness/confusion out of what was happening out the windows. I ate a sandhog on my way to Bordeaux (special thanks here to Christelle and her dad for hooking me up with goodies for the trip). I switched trains in Bordeaux, and again in Narbonne. Each ride was about 3 and 1/2 hours long. My final train from Norbonne to Barcelona was only 2 hours. For the most part, the trains are all the same. They're clean, spacious, with plenty of room for luggage, etc. I believe they have food carriages, but because I was all stocked up, I didn't look for one. On the last train, there were headphone jacks at the seats so you could watch whatever movie was playing on the two TV screens hanging from the ceiling. It was a French Movie with Spanish subtitles. I passed. There are also power jacks to charge your phone, or whatever.

I traveled from 9:49am to 7:30pm by train. About ten minutes before getting to Barcelona, I had the thought, "Maybe I should've looked at where my hotel is on the map." I had printed out the reservation paperwork, ready to hand the address to a taxi driver in case he didn't speak English. I hadn't thought of giving myself an idea of distance. I left the train station and ended up in a taxi rank. The taxi driver did not speak English and when I showed him the address he said (in Spanish), "too short". The hotel was too close to the train station for him to drive me. I asked him "where" and he pointed in a specific direction. I walked back through the train station, out the other side and onto a road which turned out to be the road my hotel was on. It was about 7 blocks, or a 15 minute walk but I didn't mind because it was light out, it was a nice temperature and it was free. 

Arriving at my hotel, the receptionist (Cristina) was wonderful. She spoke English, gave me two street maps, a subway map and offered to give me directions if ever I should need them. I had heard good reviews about her on Trip Advisor and could see why. She was great. 

My hotel is the Ámister Art Hotel. I suggest you look it up/click the link, because it's cool - as seen in the bathroom mirror.

I ordered room service off of a limited menu. And then I found that the power cord was missing from my TV. Both of which were delivered in reasonable time. After I scarfed down my delicious burger and chips, I took a shower (powerful!!) and sacked out for the night. 

Next blog: Casa Batlló. If you ever have the chance, you MUST go to this. I don't even know how I'm going to blog about it because it was indescribably magnificent.

France: Observations

Random Facts/Observations:

• Voice over actors in France will often get a role for a specific actor or actress and maintain their sole voice over actor for the remainder of their career. For example, Samuel L Jackson's v.o. guy is always the same guy.
• American shows (like The Nanny, How I Met Your Mother and The Bold and The Beautiful) are voiced over and on all the time. But the voice over guys range from pretty good (soap operas - they're dramatic anyway, so this just works) to pretty lousy (How I Met Your Mother - you don't get Barney's special delivery style or Marshall's boyishness. It's just fast over-talking.)
• CNN and SkyNews are on in English, so if you're craving a language that you understand, look for news.
• Lunch and Dinner in a home in France have three parts. Entré, Main and Dessert. They might be small, but they are FILLING. Lunch has typically been after 1pm and dinner around 8pm.
• When greeting someone in Paris, it is typical to kiss on both cheeks. It is slow and precise/deliberate. Not rushed like the one cheek kiss in Australia. Because of the speed, it is not at all uncomfortable or confusing, like you might've seen in the movies or on TV.
• French kids have to learn two foreign languages in school. Mostly they choose English and German, but they start earlier than high school so by the time they're done with school, they are pretty good at English at least - and I really appreciate that.
• Every car I've ridden in has been a small, two-door vehicle. Mostly Citroën. Looking around, I see that MOST cars on the road are compact size or smaller. There are the occasional full sized cars, but very rarely will you see an SUV or larger.
• The French drive on the right side of the road with distance measured in Kilometres.
•  It is exhausting to listen to French conversations and not speak french but try really hard to understand. It just wipes me out, but I feel really good when I "get it" by context or by recognising the few words I do understand. Totally worth it.