This is my third day in Barcelona. I’m feeling unrelaxed, torn in two. I want to see all that Barcelona has to offer, but I know there’s no way I’ll get to know this city in the short time I have here. My time off is coming to an end, I think that’s what saddens me.
My plan for the day was to move on up the coast towards Figueres, the birth place of Salvador Dali, his home town has a gallery of his work, the place is ment to be absurd. But first I wanted to use the morning see Parc Guell, by Antoni Gaudi. It was commissioned by Eusebi Guell in 1900 and finished in 1914; it was ment to be a private, but in 1922 it was opened to the public instead.
Getting there was a bit of a trip, first metro, then a walk up hill, but they provide escalators to help out. The first part of the park provided a stunning view, I could see across the whole of Bareclona and beyond to the sea. I sat there, admiring the view, eating my picnic lunch.
The second part was via a walk down to Gaudi’s creations, it was very busy, but rewarding, seeing his designs in person, being able to see the lizard up close. I noticed how he took printed tiles, smashed them up, then jigsawed them back together, forming a mosaic, great idea. His biscuit coloured creations look edible, like the house from Hansel and Gretal or something designed by Willy Wonker. He used water in the park too, you can watch it fall from place to place, giving life where it lands, green plants and paddling pigeons embrace it.
Next, leaving Barcelona via train. I headed towards Estacio de Franca, patiently waited. An hour later, I got to talk to someone about ordering tickets, embarrassingly he told me I was at the wrong station, I needed to get to Barcelona Sants. By this time it was too late to go to the see Dali. So I ordered a direct ride to Perpignan, France, I’d booked my flight home from there a couple of days before.
Got one last metro ride to the other station. I think Barcelona metro is so civilized, they have bars that sell beers at most stops; una Cervesa por favor will echo in my mind for a while to come.
Crossing the border was simple, they didn’t even stop to check passports. Arrived in Perpignan at around 9pm, nervously not sure of my French and without a book to guide me. I found a rubbish overpriced hotel for the night, but the bed was alright. Went out and had an enjoyable Lebanese supper.
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