Sipping Sangria in Spain

Last weekend I took my first mini trip to....drumroll please....BARCELONA! The city exceeded all of my expectations. Gorgeous architecture, 80 degree weather and clear skies, beautiful beaches, tall, dark and handsome men, amazinggg night life...what more could a girl want? I was only there for four days. And although I returned to Amsterdam absolutely exhausted and happy to be home, I really didn't want to leave Barcelona. Take me back please!

Our first walk through the city! On La Rambla and excited to explore.

On Thursday, we arrived in Barcelona at 8 AM after traveling by bike, train, plane and bus (We left Amersterdam at 3 in the morning). I traveled in the first group (me + 3 girls) who stayed Thursday through Sunday. The second group arrived Friday night and stayed through Monday. The four of us spent our first day exploring the neighborhood. Our hostel was located in the perfect spot - right on La Rambla, which is the main strip for shopping, bars and sightseeing as well as a 15 minute walk from the beach. It was amazing! We walked EVERYWHERE. So when we finally made it to the beach, we couldn't have been more relieved. After a few hours in the sand, one very large mug of Sangria to celebrate our first day and a WONDERFUL afternoon nap, we went out for the most delicious dinner of tapas and sangria. (starting to notice a trend yet?) Straight from dinner we went out to a club called Sutton. Even though we arrived around 1 AM, the club was deserted. Literally EMPTY!  We were warned that people in Spain went out later than people in other countries, but we didn't realize just how late! Barcelonians don't go out until around 2:30 am and stay out until 7 in the morning. We learned our lesson. But don't worry..we didn't let our first night go to waste! We swiped a free glass of champagne from the bar (our gift for being so early) and snuck down to the bathroom where we proceeded to nap, yes NAP, on the couches in the lounge for a good 30 minutes. When we woke up and returned upstairs around 2, the club was packed and we were refreshed and ready to party!!! All I can say is thank goodness for siestas...

Walking through the Gothic (Barri Gotic) district!

The sun on our first day couldn't have been more perfect!

The Cathedral!

OVERJOYED to finally make it to the beach.

Can you spot anyone topless?! We saw plenty...

Afternoon treat. Salud to Barcelona!

Reemerging from the bathroom in Sutton...

On Friday we slept in until 12 pm. (like true Spaniards!) After a late lunch we set out to visit some of the top sights in the city. It was a day of Gaudí! We spent the afternoon at La Pedrera, Casa Terrades, La Sagrada Familia and Park Guell. La Sagrada Familia, designed by Antoni Gaudí, is a large Catholic church most famous for being incomplete. Gaudí died before its completion in 1926, and while the construction has slowly progressed since then, the project will not be finished until 2026! We also traveled to Park Guell, a garden complex once again designed by Gaudí. Park Guell was one of my favorite places in Barcelona! It was like a giant Dr. Seuss world situated on a hill with an incredible view of Barcelona.

Casa Terrades

La Sagrada Familia

Standard tourist shot!

Such an incredible work of art!! Can't wait to see it completed.

Welcome to Park Guell!! It was huge!

View from the top of the park.

Gaudi's house.

Another beautiful view <3

One of Gaudi's genius works of art.

My favorite spot!

That night the rest of the group arrived. It was so great to be all together again! After another superb siesta, we began to get ready for the night. Our hostel room turned into one big pregame with travelers from all over the world! Such a fun experience. Around 1 AM, the group ventured to a bar called Chupitos. It was CRAZY. Anyone ever heard of a Monica Lewinsky shot? I hope not. I'm going to refrain from putting up most of the pictures from this bar....

After Chupitos we went to a gorgeous beach club called Opium (around 2:30 am). The cover charge was supposed to be 20 Euro per person, but by some miracle Haley, Makenzie and I got in for the price of one! (Haley has serious skills...) Unfortunately, we all got separated in the club line and most of the other girls couldn't get in. The three of us inside the club didn't even realize what had happened until way later! I felt soo terrible... BUT the club was packed with attractive people and so much fun!

After a few solid hours of dancing until we could barely stand, we decided to get some fresh air in the outdoor section of the club. It was literally right on the water - so beautiful! We were all having a great time splashing in the shallow part of the sea and relaxing on the sand. While Haley was holding my camera, I got a little TOO brave and decided it would be a wonderful idea to join the British men in the sea for a picture... I'm sure you can all guess how this ends. Three hammeredddd men holding a California girl in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea? Yep. They threw me in. Club attire, shoes, bag and all. I WAS THROWN INTO THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA AT 6 AM AT A BARCELONA CLUB. Thank goodness Haley had my camera!!! When I approached the bouncer 10 minutes later ready to go back inside and keep partying (looking like a wet rat), he unfortunately refused to let me back in. Surprise surprise. So, that was the end to my night. I left in a cab with a smile from ear to ear (and turned some poor man's cab seat into a complete lake...oops!) Honestly a night to remember forever!

The Balcony of our hostel! Peter's model face...

The only picture from Chupitos that's appropriate for the public eye.

Haley galavanting through the sand at 5 AM.

My first mistake....

Still in shock...

Realization has now set in. RIP Dutch phone.

After a wild night, the group decided to spend the day relaxing at the beach. On our walk over we stopped at a highly recommended little restaurant called Bo De B. FAVORITE FOOD SPOT OF THE WEEKEND! We all got ginormous and incredibly delicious sandwiches to take to the beach (along with a few bottles of wine)...pure bliss! That night, after another siesta of course, the group went out for a late dinner of tapas and sangria. A few of the girls went clubbing after, but Anne, Tessa and I went to a crowded street and stayed up until about 3 AM laughing and people-watching while we sipped on a second round of sangria. It was a perfect way to end my wonderful weekend in Barcelona. Plus when my original travel group had to wake up at 6 AM to head back to the airport, Tessa and I were in A LOT better shape than the two who went clubbing. Poor things were miserable on that flight home...

This picture doesn't even do the sandwich justice. I will forever love Bo De B.

Celebrating our last night with a group dinner!

Overall, I couldn't have asked for a better trip!! And I'm already looking forward to an opportunity to return to Barcelona. :) As always, sending my love to those at home!! xo