So rather than the usual September 11th anniversary the rest of the modern world is used to remembering, here in Barcelona it's their independence day. National independence I believe they call it. But Catalonia isn't a nation, yet they're fighting for it, for 300 years that is.
And guess who got caught in the riot and march?
And guess whose government has warned its citizens that whilst traveling never to enter any such events?
And guess who joined in?
...me
I got up with four British girls and one less annoying Canadian, which means I had no annoying Canadian. Seriously she would have to be the very fest annoying Canadian I've ever met and that's a pretty good effort seeming as Canadians are never like that, normally. When I went down stairs I met two girls from the hostel joining the tour so this meant already that it was going to be a good day. By girls they're really ladies but girls will do. So I got to meet Nutty Natty, the tour guide, who shortened her name because it's just far too long. I went on the Gaudi your with her an the two girls from the hostel but we had to go to the meeting point. The meeting point was Plaza Real (Royal Square) and there was nothing royal about it, but there was a square. We were smack bang in the middle of a gypsies market. They were everywhere selling everyone's things. It was actually pretty funny. But I didn't he my wallet or anything stolen, which I find a shame because I have nice things.
When I was walking down I was talking to Natty and she said that yesterday was Coopers second day on the job. Funny that because he mentioned how he worked for Top Deck and is sick and tired of traveling and he's been here in Barcelona for almost a year and he's not sure about the job security so he applied for several jobs. Second day at work. Yep.
I did see Bridey and Danny as well. In a twist of fate I was walking up to the hostel yesterday tired and ready to sleep and a block away from the hostel was Bridey and Danny from Contiki. It was just pure luck I saw them. We just chatted for a bit but that's all. Instill think it's funny to bump into people in another city half way across the world. I'm not even that popular, at all. Or am I? Anyways I saw them again today in the way to the meeting point as they were getting the bus to the airport.
During the tour we saw some of Gaudi's most famous buildings, stuff I've learnt about in school over 10 years ago. To think about that just blows my mind. To see it, blew my mind. Amazing. The Basilica was fantastic but seeing his other work was just as good. Natty explained how the nativity scene on the church was made. Gaudi used actual animals for his moulds, by drugging them, so that's why none of the animals are there in full, they're either half appearing and what not. As for the baby, he stole a dead baby.
At the end of the tour four of us got lunch and my god. It was €10.95 I think (I got short changed by the bitch at the counter because hey, it's Spain) and it was an all you can eat. It was actually pretty good, I can't complain at all. I got heaps of fresh veggies as well from there. Then I went around with probably the nicest American I've met so far. I found a gift for mum and it was so hard to find her something but I can't write what it is. Yet. She'll love it, I just know it.
We went to the hospital that Gaudi designed and died in as well. That was a walk! But then we tried to find Gaudi park and that was worse. Google maps wasn't complete and the map ingot wasn't the best. Actually the €3 map I got from the hostel that I got for free after talking to that lady about her love life, it's free no matter what. They just charge people for it, even though it's meant to be free from the government to tourists. Despite that we found the park. It was insane and busy and beautiful and VERY Willy Wonka.
The park was fantastic because it's what you see in every Barcelona advert. And I had been missing a lot of it in my time here because I didn't know what to actually do. Seeming as all the shops were closed today for the national independence, this meant I had a chance to see what every damn tourist should see. But after stuffing my face up I needed to take an epic shit. I found a toilet but kept walking, until the pain was so unbearable I had no option. I ran to the toilet to be greeted by a piss covered toilet and floor and no toilet paper. I walked out and sprayed my hands with disinfectant a few thousand times. I went to the toilet at the entrance and the guy was giving out toilet paper at the door. I asked for some but he wouldn't give me any at all, only to the women. Stupid cunt. DAMN SPANISH.
That aside I got to the hostel and left a nice present there in Spain. From Angelo with love. Then I agreed for dinner and to meet on the roof top at 8.15. Actually getting out of the metro was insane. Like I said, I was in the riot/march and had to walk so slow to get out of it. My option was to join in the chanting, then take photos from ground zero and on the rooftop of the hostel. It was so busy that you couldn't imagine it. I still can't believe it, but it was busy.
I met some people from the hostel there and we chatted for a bit. We actually decided to grab some food once the crowd died down a bit and by 9pm it did. All I can say is that I'm glad I went to McDonald's for desert later on because that €16 cannelloni was not bigger than my palm and was full of cheese and overly processed meat. Worst ever. But the funny thing is we thought we sat at the table for the pizza place but ended up being the fine dining place. When one of the guys called over a waiter for the pizza place he didn't come and we figured out why later on. Very awkward because we couldn't just get up and leave as well. For one person okay, for 10 people then it's hard. So I realised the time was 10pm, I went past McDonald's and got a tart then up to my room to pack. I had a shower so I didn't need to in the morning. But I couldn't sleep.
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