Barcelona or Bust

When I first write about a city, the blog post is just the name. So when I spend multiple days or return, I always have to think of a different title which can be a struggle. The last time I was here, my dad came up with Goodbye Gaudi and this my 3rd visit to the city. As we arrived after a 3 day road trip, it’s Barcelona or Bust.

I had opted to decline the hotel breakfast, because after a week of standard European hotel buffets, I thought it would be fun to mix it up. But also strategically, I had booked a hotel near the Mercado de la Boqueria, one my favorite places to eat. We walked the few minutes down to the market and took in the sensory overload:





We found in the back Quiosc Modern and ordered a mix of breakfast and tapas to our delight as the food was even more delicious with the fantastic and happy service:



After a quick stop in to the hotel, there was a minivan taxi just outside and we headed to Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia. My 3rd time and my mom’s 2nd, it was cool to see how much progress has been made as it’s still undergoing construction and projected to finish in 2032:











Inside we enjoyed the natural elements of the tree columns and rainbow colors:







We had a booking for a view of the towers where you take an elevator up to get a close view of Gaudi’s design and imagination. You have a choice of the Nativity or Passion facade, and as I had done the Nativity in 2013, I opted for the other book end of Jesus’ life - the Passion. Some up-close photos:

The view of Barcelona is also breathtaking:



Here there’s a modern sculpture of Jesus and is a part of the Passion facade:





You could also observe the construction workers and progress:





Coming down was also an experience descending in a narrow stairwell that reminded us of the Initiation Well in Sintra - but we made it down safely.



We peeked into the Crypt which is not open to visitors, but it’s also where Gaudi is buried:





Conveniently, there was a minivan taxi outside and we headed to Plaça Reial for lunch where we enjoyed drinks, burrata salad, shrimp, squid ink spaghetti, and a meat risotto - all quite yummy amongst the palm trees and Gaudi designed lamps:





After lunch and the acrobatics of some street performers, my mom and I wanted to sight-see some more. As I’ve seen most places in 2013 and again in 2017, I suggested a Gaudi house while the others wanted to go shopping.

We chose Casa Milà also known as La Pedrera which means "the stone quarry". It was commissioned by the Milà family and built between 1906 and 1912.



I purchased the “full experience” which include a virtual information session. Conveniently, my mom was able to enjoy in Korean as we pinched and touched images and waved our hands:



We then switched to the included audio guide and walked through a sample apartment and then to the famous roof with views of the Sagrada Familia!







After we descended, we learned more about the 2 different courtyards which encompasses the natural elements of Gaudi’s designs:





We then returned to our hotel by metro and rested before our dinner at Madame Ramen. Tresa had said she wanted to try ramen and they found a restaurant in a different kind of neighborhood as Mama Kim remarked as we walked. The owner explained to us that it was a “working girl” neighborhood, hence the name. We shared octopus with kimchi mayonnaise, wings, gyoza, pork buns, miso ramen, ribs, and yakisoba. A collage below and of us at a ramen place:

We returned to the hotel and popped out for the some ice cream. Here we took a selfie in front of our fancy hotel with our ice cream!

Then the daughters split a bottle of wine while listening to jazz at the bar and relaxed on our 2nd to last night in Barcelona!