I first went to Barcelona in 1993. It was a NUS student tour with Ken Air and there are forty of us (20 "double E" students and 20 working adults. We only had two days in Barcelona and so we see the sights by looking thru the window in our coach "on ur left is Gaudi'swork, on ur right is ...." So many works was introduced that I could not remember much (Gaudi's artwork is here and there on the streets and on buildings). I remember Barcelona as a place full of art and ramblas as a quaint souvenir and shopping place.
I went back to Barcelona in 2000, this time not with a package tour but with 4 friends going around using the trains. Looking at a map, I got to know Barcelona better as well as Gaudi's work. I like the way he uses tiles, broken pieces of glasses to create figures, structures, designs on buildings and ceilings. My friends has an interest in tasting local foods whichever country they visit and so I tasted the spanish cuisine. The seafood rice can be very "fishy" and I did not try the "black" rice. We went to placa Espanya and the harbour which is similar to S'pore's world trade centre.
This time round, I have time to climb the Sagrada Familia (a must itinerary)
where the spiral staircase makes me giddy. My earlier tour guide in 1993 mentioned that construction is still ongoing and 100 years is needed to complete it. When we were there in Feb 2000, a guy was on strike, he strap himself to a rope that hangs between two of the spikes.
We went to Poble Espanyol at Montjuic, a place built like a replica of Spain in a nutshell.
I went around on my own on the last day in Barcelona and decided to take a train out to Montserrat. A monastery was built high on the side of Montserrat but the cable car up was not working. I ended up taking the coach and was caught in a jam. I reached the summit at 12 noon. I took the funicular to Sant Joan and Santa Cova. I met a couple and a single lady traveller who wants to walk off the track into the woods and ask me if I wish to join them. Following for a short distance, I decided not to continue as I think getting lost would makes it difficult to get back to Barcelona before night falls. In the Basalica, a mass was in progress but visitors are still allowed in. I saw a queue going up to the far end to see the image of Saint Mary and went to join them. The worshippers give each other a minute of silence infront of the image of Mary for their prayers.
I met 2 japanese girls and ask them a favour to take a photo for me. We exchange infomation and I went back to catch the last coach down Montserrat. Reaching Barcelona, I went to the Cathedral, and walk around into the side alleys. A man followed me for a short distance and luckily left me alone when I ignore him. I walk out onto the busy street to my favourite Ramblas for dinner and went back to my hotel 4 stations away after 10 pm.
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