World Local: Attractive Barcelona

My Master class reunion was organised in Barcelona at the end of July 2010. It was amazing that we could make the trip finally happen, provided that about fourteen of us were at different cities at that time. From April to July 2009, I was in Guimaraes in Portugal finishing my Master's thesis. We had a long round discussion over about two to three months to decide where our reunion would be. And at first, most of us said it was unlikely that we could join the trip. Even I did not really believe I would be able to travel to Barcelona after leaving Portugal. But that made our trip so special! In the end, it turned out happily that most of us made it to Barcelona, just to see each other again before a real goodbye then each of us continue our own roads. I am so happy that I studied the Erasmus Mundus SAHC Masters, happy to know my classmates. The memory with you guys always remain at a warm corner of my heart. And guess what: we would see each other again next summer 2013, I really can't wait. It will be another amazing reunion trip. Friends are forever!

Barcelona habour
About Barcelona, the weather in July was extremely hot but sometimes relaxing with frequently cool wind from the sea. The city is beautiful, very alive and really crowded.

Barcelona - The La Sagrada Família church

The La Sagrada Família church, Gaudi's masterpiece
"a massive, privately-funded Roman Catholic church that has been under construction in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain since 1882 and is not expected to be complete until at least 2026." (Wikipedia).

Barcelona habour near sunset

Barcelona's night
A trip to remember, a city to love, a night to appreciate its beauty.. The only think someone might dislike about Barcelona, beside the heat in summer, is that the city is relatively expensive, if not saying it is one of the most expensive cities that I've visited. The hotel accommodation starts from 80 €/night during summer season. Generally, the food and drinks are also expensive, for example a local seafood rice dish starts from 12 €, if I remember correctly. So if you dreams of Barcelona, plan the trip real early, at least four to five months or more in advance, and try to avoid peak holiday season. Anyway, I guess it would not be much cheaper even if you travel there in winter.

Near Parc Güell - The guy was singing his self-written songs under the burning sun. His songs were not close to the definition of "music" I think. But he looked funny and his entertaining performance gained him not-too-bad reward. :-) End of July 2010.

Comment from a flickr's friend: "Judging by his sun tan, he must be out under the scorching sun quite often. Maybe he is a guitar major from the University of Barcelona, and unfortunately has not found a decent job yet." :-))

Barcelona - Gaudí's "Parc Güell"
"Colonnaded pathway where the road projects out from the hillside, with the vaulting forming a retaining wall which curves over to support the road, and transmits the load onto sloping columns." (wikipedia).