Yesterday I got in around lunchtime and went to find my hostel. It only has about 5 rooms, but is quiet ( unlike the one in Madrid) and i could not ask for a better location. After I checked in, I walked about twenty minutes down to the playa barceloneta, one of barcelona's main beaches. It was pretty, but it was also pretty crowded. I wound up taking a nap and getting ever-so-slightly sunburned. After the beach I went to the barri Gotic cathedral and the Iglesia de Santa Maria del mar. Both were alright, but I wouldn't go out of my way to see them again. That evening, the receptionist at my hostel recommended I go see the fountain at the placa de espanya. I am very glad I did. The fountain(s) were spectacular, with water jets that changed positions and lighting that changed too. The jets would shoot out water in seemingly endless variations - sometimes like a crown, sometimes like a whirling fan, sometimes like a colossal mist, and so on. All of this was synced with opera music playing on speakers within the fountain. I probably watched for an hour.
Today was great too. I took the metro to park guell, which is a fairly large complex originally designed to be a self containing residential area. This purpose was never achieved; instead, it is now a series of miniature parks and playgrounds, walking trails, and a big courtyard. Around the courtyard is a continous, serpentine-like bench. Designed by the famous architect, Guell, the bench was covered with mosaics, all different colors and polished to a finish almost like lacquer. The bench and courtyard overlooked two other buildings, also designed by Guell. These houses looked as if they belonged in a Dr. suess book. They were covered in mosaics too, and had a lot of circular, curvy architectural lines, with a loopy staircase and small tower.
From the park, I walked down to the sagrandia familia. This church was Guell's most famous work. It is the most fascinating building I have ever seen. The best way I know how to describe the outside is that it is similar to a sandcastle made by letting silt drip down your fingers. There were eight towers I think, which were supported at the base by pillars leaning inwards. On the inside, the basilica was equally, if not more, impressive. Light streamed in everywhere through the countless windows. The nave was held up by columns that split into branches hallway up. Concave, scalloped indentures formed the ceiling, and there was an elevated choir balcony with room for 1000 singers. I finished my day by walking back to the hostel, pausing along the way to look at a couple more houses that were also designed by Guell. I like barcelona because it seems to have a personality and charisma. I would definitely visit again.
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