August 24, 2021
They forced everyone to exit the secured area, so I found space amongst everyone else in the Edinburgh airport to attempt to sleep. When I went through security in the morning, the officer made me throw out some liquids after I tried to convince her otherwise. I was really annoyed because she claimed my Lush product that is a solid was a liquid. It’s such a pain because I shouldn’t have had to go back through security anyway and it’s just wasteful. This is 2/2 for UK airports being annoying about liquids.
After what feels like forever, I arrive in Barcelona. I take the long metro ride into town and attempt to check in to my hostel. I can’t yet so I stop at Ocana for coffee in Plaça Real.
Next, I check in to Kabul Party Hostel. I chose it because of the location and the fact that it’s supposed to be social, but it’s definitely not very glamorous. I’m in a top bunk in a large dorm and it’s hot. Nothing I didn’t sign up for and nothing I’m not used to, but also not a pleasant surprise by any means.
I head back out for some real food exploring the Plaça Real and La Rambla on the way. I take the metro to La Taqueria, which had less than decent tacos that were expensive. I guess I’ll have to wait for Madrid to get some good tacos. At least it’s near La Sagrada Familia, which doesn’t disappoint. I’ll have to come back when there’s less tourists to get good pictures (although I’m not sure if that’s possible).
I’m feeling antisocial and tired from my overnight flights, so I just grab ice cream in the Plaça from Art I Sa, and head to bed. Not without being harassed by random men in the Plaça for eating ice cream alone, however.
August 25, 2021
I get up early for the walking tour that leaves from Kabul. It was kind of boring but I used this as a chance to make friends. We saw the Gothic Quarter and Santa Maria del Mar before ditching the tour.
I pack into a taxi with 3 other American girls after trying to convince them to take the metro instead. We arrive at Parc Guell, and have to buy tickets online, which are 10 Euro. We head in and explore. The park feels really familiar, and I realize it was the backdrop of a video game my siblings and I played endlessly at our beach house growing up: Tony Hawk: Underground 2. The ceramics and landscaping are really beautiful.
Afterwards, we stop at Store Café for lunch. The restaurant is pretty standard, but what they do offer are massive plates of nachos, so if that’s what you’re looking for then this is your go to.
On the way home we stop at La Boqueria, the main market in Barcelona. I get orange and mango juice, my favorite thing to get at markets in Spain. I also get a passion fruit because I’ve never tried one in its pure form.
Everyone breaks for a rest after our excursion. Eventually I come out of hiding and head to Pizzeria di Nanni for a quick dinner. This is really great pizza, and even better is the price.
I muster up the courage to head up to the Kabul Terrace, knowing that there should at least be some familiar faces this time. I find them almost immediately, and meet some more people at the table. After getting sufficiently drunk, the entire rooftop migrates to Barceloneta beach. It’s not as fun as we had hoped so we only stay a little while, and then find a taxi home since it was a long walk.
I had a nice time and met some people to explore with tomorrow, but it was kind of a downer that there was no late night food open when we got back to La Rambla. This has to be a COVID problem.
August 26, 2021
I invited some people from last night to brunch, but they’re tired so I’m making a few stops on my own first. I get some juice from La Boqueria and then go to take pictures at Barcelona Cathedral, The World Starts with Every Kiss Mural, and Palau de Música.
We meet for brunch at Eat My Trip. It was really great, but just be prepared to pay cash. Then we stop outside Casa Batlló, which I wish I spent longer at. I’ll have to go back one day.
The same group has decided to take a boat trip so we head to the harbor for the Barcelona Catamaran Trip Along Port Vell, which we booked in advance on GetYourGuide. It wasn’t anything special but for the price I think it’s worth it. It’s been a while since I’ve been on a boat so I enjoy feeling the wind on my face and the views of Barcelona from a different perspective.
Afterwards, we stop at several places for tapas but no one can make a decision, and lots of things have a line. We end up at Grill Room Bar Thonet. The tapas were alright, but the waiter was amazing. He explained a lot of things to us and helped us make decisions.
Next, we head back to the Kabul Terrace. Everyone again heads out to Barceloneta, but we don’t feel like making the trek so we just get some kebab around the corner. I almost got pickpocketed while eating it on some steps.
Barcelona is no joke with petty crimes like this. This could have been avoided by keeping my crossbody bag in front of me at all times, and luckily I had fast enough reflexes to move it before the thieves could get my phone out of it.
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