Souvenir Shopping in Final Day of Barcelona

Day 7:

By Christopher C Ado

Due to the yelling and rooting Barcelona from the previous night in the cold weather I caught a cold on my last day in Barcelona but as my mom taught me "When you travel and you get sick just suck it up, take an Advil, drink water, and GO." I picked up souvenir shirts and shot glasses for family and friends at the Hard Rock Cafe an Ado family tradition and picked up chocolates for friends and co-workers. I did some tourist pictures before getting ready to leave the next day.

The fountain below is located in the Passeig de Gràcia better known as Barcelona's equivalent to Paris's Champs-Élysées with all the high end shopping brands located along that avenue.

There so many highlights of this trip but three really stood out.

1 - Antonio Gaudi - Many would associate Gaudi's work with La Sagrada Famila but to me his most impressive structure that he completed was the Park Guell. If you go to Barcelona make sure a visit to that beautiful city includes a trip to Park Guell.

2 - Paella - I was so pleased to wait for Thursday to enjoy Paella because I had a memorable meal at the Restaurant 7 Portes where the entire experience was five star.

3 - FC Barcelona - If you are lucky to watch a game during the season PLEASE even if you are not football fan go watch the team that is known as More than a Club.

That's a wrap for the blog and thank you so much for reading it. I enjoyed writing it and gave me new ideas to implement for next year's trip. Europe, Asia, or maybe Africa safari. I have plenty of time to think about where to go for next year. Until then Ciao.

Christopher Ado

The Magic of FC Barcelona

Day 6:

By Christopher C. Ado

Anyone that knows me well knows the number one thing on the Barcelona trip was going to the F.C. Barcelona vs Almeria game on Sunday March 2, 2014. The only previous soccer or football game I attended was over 3 years ago when Barcelona visited the United States and played the LA Galaxy in a exhibition game at the Rose Bowl but to go to actual League game where a win matters is something I never experienced.

From my section at the stadium I was seated where the hard core Barcelona fans were seated and I cheered, yelled, and even cussed at the opposing players. The picture below highlights there Blugranda colors of blue and red but also the yellow and red which is the national flag for the city of Catalunya which wishes to be independent from Spain.

Below is actual sequence on how the players attempt to get the ball into the opposing team's goal. What needs to be mentioned is how the play around the middle of the field better known as the midfield linked so well to go the ball the goal. It was as if they were floating over the field passing the ball beautifully to the striker to score the goal. 

However the highlight of the game was not only Barcelona beating Almeria 4-1 but also the free kick by one Leo Messi. My seats were right behind the opposing goal so I beautiful view of the kick but did not take a picture. The video of the goal was beautiful and something that should not be missed even if you are not a football or soccer ball. This goal made the price of the ticket worth the price of the admission.

http://youtu.be/IQn-HBUD9ag

Spanish Village, Chocolate, Tapas, and Flamenco

March 3, 2014

Day 5:

Saturday's journey around the city of Barcelona took me to some of the amazing sights and taste of the city. First will be the sights. So far you have seen the city of Barcelona from the mountains of Montserrat to the beautiful Park Guell but the view from Montjuic mountain near the Olympic Village where the 1992 Olympics was held was breathtaking.

Next was the Spanish Village created for the second World Fair in Barcelona. The Spanish Village was created to create the country of Spain in small blocks in the village. What I did not prepare for the Spanish Village was the incredible food especially the chocolates. 

Part of any Tapas meal would be either Sangaria, Red Wine, and Champagne. In Barcelona Champagne is only used for celebration. For me I would prefer the Sangaria. 

Tapas Display. From the top left corner: Meat Ball, Pork Pie, Fried Spinach Roll with Cheese, Goat Cheese with Tomatoes, and Olives, and Blood Sausage.

However the best part of the Spanish Village was the chocolate. I have had plenty of chocolate from Switzerland, Paris, and other places in Europe. Hands down the chocolate from the Spanish Village was the best. 

After a short Siesta to recover from all the food and touring at the Spanish Village it was time for Flamenco. It's a Spanish folk dance that originates from the South of Spain and uses singing, playing guitar, clapping, and of course dancing.