My Thoughts On Barcelona

Barcelona was a fun city. Less hectic than Madrid but had plenty going on. Deceivingly big, but you can still get from the beach to the mountains in a couple hours. We had amazing weather the whole time we were there, 70 and sunny - in November!

I loved jogging in Montjuic. Wandering the narrow streets if the Gothic district was entertaining. Raval was interesting. The views from Tibidabo were stunning. We didn't do a lot if them, but the few museums we went into were worth it. Great architecture and wide boulevards making for great sight lines. Good food and booze around every corner. 

Definitely felt different than the rest of Spain. Primarily because they spoke Catalan ahead of Spanish, but the lifestyle was also different. There seemed to be more business, industry, and fewer people drinking immediately after work. I guess I could call the city international, but really, it felt like it could be in the US (except the architecture). Very commercialized. Las Ramblas could have  been michigan avenue, but with more people hocking tiny helicopters. I saw more american chains here than the rest of the trip combined. Not that that's a bad thing, just an observation. 

Tons of tourist traps. Trams, flamencos, paella, 5 for 5€ tapas. It's as if they took everything they think Americans think about Spain and shoved it under one roof. Hop on hop off bus tours, overpriced trams when you can take the bus for half the cost. Tourism must bring a lot if money to the city and they try to milk every dollar out of us. Probably also felt more american because we hung out with Amanda and some of her friends and they all spoke English. 

None of this is meant as an indictment on the city. There are plenty of "local" things to do, just have to find them. I could see why it makes an alluring location for an American or Englishman. Be an easy transition from home, and the weather is obscenely nice.