My first two weeks in Barcelona
2:39 PM![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLcI1XT8pLtfX23mM77437qqi3Mzn6XbvJax0NvGUHXxSWqS0Z6h8lQbm_RdfH98YRaHQ0YJvAot0JLsWTuox7It4oamgMsGsd_eddI1poXzJ1UP1WoLgoAYa5yydrYnVPPnXhzjP9A2-9/s640/My+first+two+weeks+in+Barcelona.png)
If I had to describe my first two weeks in Barcelona in one word it would be: challenging. Coming from a 3.5 million people Island, this was a radical change. Public transport that my disoriented self couldn’t quite understand, bureaucratic procedures, sharing a tiny apartment with a stranger, getting lost in Barcelona centre, different food, my family hundreds of miles away. If not for a familiar face, a friend that I have who lives here (it really is a blessing!), I could have lost my mind. But I didn’t.
After the initial “what have I done? Let me flight back”, I have slowly getting used to everything and I’m happy to say I am in a much more comfortable state. I have officially started my master’s degree, I’ve made new friends, I know which train to take, I’ve mastered the art of cooking yellow rice, my inner clock has finally adapted to the 6-hour difference and I finally connect daily with my family thanks to the beauty of telecommunications, Whatsapp and Skype. I’m yet to be done with the legal procedures but hey, life won’t always be a walk in the park.
Since this has been my first time in Barcelona ever, I took the time amidst the crazy days to do some sightseeing. Here’s a recap in case you didn’t see it on my Instagram:
The Gothic Quarter
I walked around the Gothic Quarter and my old soul naturally fell in love with it. I plan on going with more time to visit it carefully.
Catedral de la Santa Creu i Santa Eulàlia
![](https://65.media.tumblr.com/8a35a96d02e72247a0c41332a387fb30/tumblr_inline_oeq6lah4Ps1s5xwyp_540.jpg)
Casa Batlló de Antoni Gaudi
![](https://67.media.tumblr.com/fae8ee7a5fc1bfe298021de5236da25d/tumblr_inline_oeq7k2lt6S1s5xwyp_540.png)
La Pedrera – Casa Milà de Antoni Gaudi
![](https://67.media.tumblr.com/4d72c377bef899781962f999e977c910/tumblr_inline_oeq7lov5Hd1s5xwyp_540.png)
View from Plaça Espanya
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Antigua Plaza de Toros las Arenas – now a mall that preserves the façade of the old bulls ring.
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View from the top of Plaza de Toros
![](https://65.media.tumblr.com/765821a5c30bc48176cfcfb49250aeaf/tumblr_inline_oeqbvg5sWj1s5xwyp_540.jpg)
Montjuïc
A really beautiful area with a palace and historical buildings designed for the Barcelona International Exposition of 1929. It was a bit cloudy but I still made the trip up and took some photos.
Palau Montjuïc & The Magic Fountain
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The German Pavilion
![](https://66.media.tumblr.com/d364752a7bee8ae89481aa6e6cedbb53/tumblr_inline_oeq80zvK7i1s5xwyp_540.jpg)
The Four Columns
![](https://66.media.tumblr.com/64a50d3d16a5e4ea50a6e88939e89c97/tumblr_inline_oeq6tfb3351s5xwyp_540.jpg)
Originally, four columns were built to represent the flag of Catalunya. Although later they were torn down by the dictatorship, they were build back in 2010.
![](https://67.media.tumblr.com/deba2e18e8b203d800f42225cc827fbf/tumblr_inline_oeq6vpSNNh1s5xwyp_540.jpg)
Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya
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Palauet Albéniz
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Jardines de Joan Maragall
![](https://66.media.tumblr.com/c263b9afbe22258d9831c34d45e4b4b0/tumblr_inline_oeq6xuclzb1s5xwyp_540.jpg)
![](https://66.media.tumblr.com/4bf443cdb2baf796157f5481a7cc78ad/tumblr_inline_oeq71whoIY1s5xwyp_540.jpg)
Teatre Grec (Greek Theater)
![](https://65.media.tumblr.com/3786860020b89c75c9d19a0e48b432e1/tumblr_inline_oeq6ykihQP1s5xwyp_540.jpg)
Estadi Olímpic - Used for Barcelona 1992 Summer Olympics
![](https://66.media.tumblr.com/06cafe155cd8cdf398ac7978c1ff5c38/tumblr_inline_oeq6zzrq8Q1s5xwyp_540.jpg)
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I definitely have so many places yet to see but the best part is that I’ll be living here for a year (and who knows if it’s more than that) so there’s plenty of time! I’m feeling like I have made the best decision of my life, coming here to live and study for a while. I’m living my dream, the one I had since I was a child. It is often not when we wanted it or when we planned to, but dreams do come true in the end if we work for them. One of my favorite lyrics -because of course I always need to quote songs- is:
Somehow, everything’s gonna fall right into place. If we only had a way to make it all fall faster everyday.- For a Pessimist, I’m Pretty Optimistic; Paramore
That lyric is the real deal. Things will eventually be right. Sometimes we just have to wait a little longer.
–
On my next post…
On my next travel diary, I’ll be writing about my experience visiting beautiful Girona and its volcanic natural reserve. Stay tuned!
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