London Ninja

So this travel blog is long overdue as is some of my next couple of catch up travel blogs. The reason is very simple for the backlog…it takes much longer to pick out pictures from trips than just highlighting my normal trips to the pub.

So for the second part of the European family travel when my folks came out, we hit up Barcelona, Espana. I had been to Barcelona before but it was much different going with my familia.

First impressions:
1. Barcelona is a big metropolitan city with lots of life, culture and, soul.
2. Public transportation is the best I’ve been on and it’s cheap. Much better than the Tube in London. They had the digital displays counting down train arrival by the second.
3. Ladrones.

Highlights of my trip included:
1. Park Guell. Amazing park designed by Antoni Gaudi. A lot of excellent structures and incredible views from up top.

The main stairway with the fountain and stairs.

Views were great, you just have to climb a bit.

2. Segrada Familia - It’s very simple. You go to Barcelona, you see Segrada Familia. Kinda like if you’re black, you vote Osama…I mean Obama….Hussein Obama. (London Ninja’s political views do not necesarily reflect those of Antoni Gaudi)

yes, London Ninja rises the the occasion.

3. Tapas at Ciudad Condal - I am adamant that those of you that visit Barcelona should not just find go to any tapas joint you see on the street. You will be eating sausages made of lips and arse garnished with the pubis of mang. I assure you this is not what you want. Instead, do your research and go to a place like Ciudad Condal and taste delicacies like cuttlefish, razor clams, and rabbit paw.

Feast your eyes out

4. La Padrera - I don’t like paying to go into buildings when I’m on holiday especially cathedrals but this building designed by Gaudi was well worth it. You see the intricate design and philosphy in Gaudi’s architecture in all of his work, which are based on natural lines and using the form and shapes inherent in Earth’s organisms and fauna. The open rooftop was the best part, since it gave views of the city as well as some incredible photographic opportunites.

5. La Boqueria on Las Ramblas - Fantastic assortment of fruits, sweets, seafood, and carcasses off of the main tourist street Las Ramblas. These pictures will tell a better story than I can.

I can handle fish heads but this is slightly out of my league.

6. Churros y Chocolate - We sampled a few places and it is quite a treat. Miniature churros dipped in thick smooth hot chocolate. Not much to argue with there.

So good.

7. Ladrones. See part 2.

My conclusion of Barcelona
Barcelona is an amazing city. It may cost you the jacket off your back, literally, but overall it is amazing. I enjoy Spain particularly because I can throw around some Espanol from my 6 years in middle and high school. I think it is required that you visit Barcelona when you go to Spain and there is just plenty to see and do there.

Looking forward to checking out more of Spain…Sevilla is next.