This is the second part of our post about the trip to Europe that we were able to take over spring break. You can find the first post here.
After spending 5 very busy and enjoyable days in Paris, we took an overnight train to Barcelona. The train was a total blast-we roomed with good friends Mike and Amanda and played cards for a good chunk of the evening. After arriving in Barcelona we headed immediately down to La Rambla, one of the most famous pedestrian shopping areas in the world. We sat and ate tapas at a local restaurant and then wandered over into the marketplace, which was absolutely amazing. Tons of fresh meat and some of the best looking produce that I’ve ever seen.
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They also had a beautiful flower market and a whole row of local painters and other artisans. The painting that Amy is holding in the picture below is now hanging in our living room.
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The next day was one of the coolest of the entire trip. We went to Park Guell, a housing development built around the turn-of-the century which was not completed due to the outbreak of the First World War. The development was designed by Antoni Gaudi, one of the big names in Art Nouveau architecture. Apparently the idea is to blend classical elements with natural elements. Anyway, all the curves made the whole area look like something out of a fairy tale (think Hansel and Gretel’s gingerbread house). The park was a blast to photograph.
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After spending a too short two days in Barcelona (a city to which Amy and I would love to return), we got on the bus and headed over to Madrid. Again, the time in Madrid seemed very short, and we weren’t able to take many photos.
Here’s one of the Spanish version of the House of Representatives
and a couple photographs of the restaurant where we ate, the Musee de Jamon. For you non-Spanish speakers out there, that’s Museum of Ham. I think the name fits.
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And finally, I think this is my favorite photo from Spain. One of the joys of Madrid was a chocolateria that had been in business since the mid-1800′s. There, I sampled a traditional Spanish delicacy: chocolate and churros. Although I forgot to take a photograph before eating the churros, I’m pretty happy with this photo of the chocolate.
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