Okay so I finally made it to Barcelona!! By the way, worst day ever to pick to come to Barcelona!! Sept. 29th, the day I arrived, was a scheduled nation-wide strike. NOTHING was open! in fact, my flight was canceled! I had a layover in copenhagen and didn´t know about the strike until I got there and saw that my flight was canceled. Being there by myself and only knowing English didn´t make it any easier. But luckily, after a good ordeal of talking to numerous people trying to figure out what to do, I ended up getting a flight out. The lady told me I needed to get out asap because she didn´t know how long the strike was going for, so it was good that i did.
So I arrive safely to barcelona only to find that my backpack that i checked is not there. They told me I would have to call the next day because with the strike there was no way it was getting here that day. So I ended up going straight to the hostel with just my carryon. Only problem, there were no busses, trains or metros running. I waited nearly 20 minutes for a taxi that was probably way too expensive.
Once I got to the hostel i decided to walk around and explore. Again everything was closed and I couldn´t take any transportation anywhere. The streets here are crazy! Nothing is parrallel to each other and the names of the streets are only found on the sides of buildings (if they´re there at all) so having just a giant map while walking around wasn´t the greatest. So I didn´t really go anywhere, but it was a nice walk just the same.
Later, I ended up making some friends at the hostel! There were four of us who went to the local market and bought stuff to make tapas (a traditional meal here in spain). It was delicious! They all gave me some great advice about the city too! They showed me their pictures that they´ve taken over the last week and they helpped me out with my lack of luggage by sparing me some toothpaste.
Last night i had to sleep in my jeens and today I´m in the same clothes as yesterday :( but I called the airport this morning and they will bring by my bag sometime today! So that´s great news! Though it was definitely an adventure getting here, everything seems to be working itself out now. I´m really excited that today the metro should be working again so hopefully I´ll really be able to explore the city!
are you at the hostel i stayed at too??? ahhh sarah i am so happy you're there!!! i want to cry with joy. what an ordeal with the strike!!! it's such a different attitude than north america. at least you could buy groceries! if you are at the hostel i stayed at too, [sorry idk if i mentioned how far it is from the rest of this city :/ ...but if you are there is a place with delicious mini croissants- if you walk down the street the hostel is on, away from the metro, then turn right on the next big street i think it's around there if they're not closed too...
ReplyDeleteLOVE LOVE LOVE,
Sabina
Aww Sarah, I am so so proud of you for going to Europe all on your own! It sounds totally fitting for something to go completely wrong upon your arrival. Lol. That's traveling for ya! Expect the unexpected. But it sounds like you handled it beautifully :) See?? You've got this! And you were so worried...
ReplyDeleteGo to the beach & I loved seeing all the architecture by Antoni Gaudi all around the city. He also designed Park Guell, which I HIGHLY recommend you seeing. Pack a lunch before you go & have a little picnic there!
Remember, that the city comes alive at night so try to resist Sleepy Sarah around midnight! Hahaha. I'm so glad you've made friends already at the hostels! That's the best traveling advice you can get & you meet the most amazing people. It's fun to exchange crazy stories. Go to Chupitos Shot Bar with them & get the "Boy Scout" shot. They set the bar on fire and you roast marshmallows as your chaser for your shot- EPIC!
Love you, miss you already.
-Mel