Barcelona could take the lead!

even though i slept late (3:00 AM) i still managed to wake up on time (9 am).  i knew that i couldnt miss my flight and i also didnt want to miss out on the last landmark that i wanted to see in Madrid: Catedral de Nuestra Senora de la Almudena .  in fact i was there few minute before it opened so i can check it out from the outside.  it is a very big church, that has recently been completed (1993).  i thought Madrid would have more churches, but i guess most of them are outside the new Madrid.  anyway, great building and fabulous architecture, but for the size and status (cathedral) of that building, it is way underdressed.  the interior is clean but i would consider it unfinished.  Imagine the Notre Dam in Paris without stained glass or decorated chapels.  it would look "poor".  anyway, i climbed the stairs to the top of the church which overlooks the city center, a residential area, the royal palace and green land.  nothing spectacular!  if the church's interior was any better, Madrid would have earned half a star and would have been an 8.  but the verdict is closed: Madrid stands at 7.5 stars in my eyes

i took the metro back to the airport, the same way i came.  i checked in my backpack and headed to my gate.  the plane was late 45 minutes.  i was okay with that because it gave me time to map out my activity for the rest of the day.  as soon as i got on the plane, i crashed! i even conciously skipped the free snacks and drink.  i was sleepy. 

Barcelona could sneak in behind Madrid

i arrived in Barcelona and took the bus (not metro) to the downtown.  my first impression -  Barcelona could sneak in behind Madrid and take the lead.  the city is bustling with life.  it is very touristy in ways unlike Madrid.  there is traffic, people, buses, motorcycles and bicycles competing for the same space. but before i could explore the exploded human volcano, i had to drop the weight that was on my back.  because i rushed in reserving a room in Barcelona, i got a private room in a hotstal quite far from the heart of the city.  the sad part is that nothing made up for its far location.  usually, if a hostal is far (and mor expensive) you would expect higher quality.  although the receptionist was very helpful.

anyhow, i dropped my bag and  took the metro back to the Barri Gotic.  the barri Gotic is a maze of narrow streets, very much like Venice.  there are grand buildings, old houses, local markets, antiques shops, bars, resturants....etc.  the area feels ancient.  in one of its corners is the famous cathedral: La Seu , a gothic church like no other, dedicated to one of the martyred saints. the church was started in 1298 and finished around 1448.  it is not as big as the cathedra in Madrid but it is very different.  this one is very gothic with its columns look like rockets ready to launch.  the inside is gorgeous with elaborate details.  it is really different from other churchs.  what's also cool is that the church is in a very dense area, which makes it surronded by people all the time.  there is a great piaza close by.  in fact, the whole area is full of strollers: natives and tourists alike. Barcelona has more churches and old buildings than Madrid.  they are all over. 

one of Barcelona's highlights is the Las Ramblas .  it is a street but it is more than just a street.  like its cousin the Champs Elysees, the Las Ramblas is the place to go hang out -  to see others and be seen.  unlike the Champs Elysees, the side walks are narrow, but that is because the pedestrian area is between the two traffic lanes.  there are always people crossing, so traffic is very slow and minimal.  there are resturants and bars along the stretch of the street. Picture the Las Ramblas as the main artary and the side streets as the little veins that carry life.  (i still dont know where the heart is).  there are street performers and shops all around as well. so it would take at least 2 hours to walk and enjoy the length of the street.  if you want a sit down dinner, that is another hour or two.

i met an australian guy who has been travelling across Europe for a month and a half and he still has another month and a half.  we talked for an hour or so before i opted for more walking around the streets.  the weater was so cool and going home felt like wasting time.  but i still had to go home sooner or later. i took the metro at 11:30 and here i am updating my blog.  it is 12:50 and i still have to shower and make a reservation for a Flamenco Show! Aribba Aribba