The final stop on our adventure in Europe was Barcelona, in Spain. The highlight of our trip to Barcelona was not the beautiful architecture or delicious cuisine (although we sampled plenty of both!) but the awesome people we stayed with while there. We met them through Air B&B and from the moment they opened their door to Colin and me they treated us like good friends visiting from out of town. We happened to arrive on the night of a delicious vegan dinner party, cooked by our hostess Linnea who also happened to work at the best vegan restaurant in Barcelona, Gopal. They gave us great suggestions for things to do during the day and took us to some awesome bars at night.

Our first night in Barcelona.

We visited the Maritime Museum. I loved the cute little submarine out front and snapped a photo inside of a woman who inexplicably had a bird on her head. Also, Colin looking cute.

I love the narrow stone streets of Barcelona. I took a lot of photos like these.

Colin and I at Gopal. I think we went there 3 times in 2 days. Amazing burgers and some of the best cake I’ve ever had in my life, vegan or not.

Of course we had to go to the Mercat de la Boqueria, a vast outdoor market in Las Ramblas.

It is almost sensorially overwhelming with all of the vivid colors, tastes, and smells.

Yum!

We wanted to visit La Sagrada Familia, but it was too late in the day to climb to the top, so we decided to forego the entrance fee and just take photos of the outside. We had both seen the inside on separate trips, so it was no great disappointment.

Verrrrrry funny, Colin!

We also visited Gaudi’s other architectural masterpiece, Parc Guell during our visit.

This photo makes me laugh every time I look at it. Colin tried to slide down the railing and fell in a bush. Of course I had to take this photo before I helped him out.

There is a great view from the top of the park.

Also this guy singing.

Our last day in Barcelona, Colin competed in the Barcelona Music Hack Day and I uh, rested after enjoying the Barcelona nightlife with my hosts a little too much and for a little too long the night before. That evening we took a plane to Madrid and then flew from Madrid back to Palo Alto. And like that, our trip was over!

The month that Colin and I spent in Europe is and probably will remain one of the happiest times of my life. It’s been over a year since our trip and I still think about it almost every day. I know not everyone is privileged enough to take a trip like this, but if you get the chance, please, please do. You won’t regret it.

xoxo,
Alex

After Paris, Colin and I spent a couple days in beautiful, cobblestoned Bordeaux. We stayed with an artist couple we met through Air B&B (Sort of like Couchsurfing, except you give people you stay with a little bit of money). They were very nice and lived in a great part of town. We took it easy in Bordeaux, cooking meals, exploring the city on foot and by trolley and eating late breakfasts every morning at an AMAZING breakfast place in a beautiful public square.

Yummy breakfast/lunch.

the clock on the train station in Bordeaux.

This was an interesting piece of public art…this shallow fountain produces mist several times a day, which creates a very cool “walking in the clouds” effect. However, the one time I saw it misting I didn’t have my camera!

Two public monuments in Bordeaux.

Two photos from the local history museum. A fantastic museum that chronologically walked you through Bordeaux’s ancient and modern history. The flasks on the wall are actually ancient bottles of wine found in a shipwreck off the coast!

Colin videotaping me. We made some silly videos while walking around Bordeaux.

Gettin’ my art on at our apartment. The couple we stayed with had some really cool decorations in the house and I had a little love affair with this mask-turned-lamp.

I also made Colin take part in a little photo shoot with me with some of the masks.

A delicious dinner I made for Colin and myself. Spaghetti with Smothered Onion Sauce, Roasted Beet Salad and Haricot Verts. Oh, and a bottle of Bordeaux wine. :)

Colin had the great idea to take a day trip to the coastal town of Arcachon. This was one of my favorite parts of our entire trip. We spent 8 hours walking along the beach barefoot. We walked nearly 10 miles from where the train station met the beach to the tallest sand dune in Europe and then walked back. It was so much fun that I actually forgot to take many photos!

A beach picnic at the beginning of our journey.

Alex!

The dune. Colin was nearly beheaded by an out of control paraglider at this point. Luckily his quick reflexes kept him safe.

We had such an incredible time in Bordeaux and Arcachon. These are two places I would love to visit again!

Next up, Barcelona!