We left the hotel around 8:30 a.m. to head to the Barcelona Underground Railway. We took the R5 train. We rode the train all the way to where we got on the cable cars to go up the mountain. Because the train does come above ground in some places, we were able to see some countryside. One thing I noticed was that even though there was more space, there were still no houses! Everyone in Paris and Barcelona live in apartments because their such big cities, and tightly compact.
I didn't see much else on the way though, because I took a short nap on the train.
Once we arrived at the cable cards, we looked around for a few seconds, then waited in a short line to hop on a cable car and go up the mountain. A few of the group members were able to catch the first car up, but most of us were on the second. Sadly, we were in the back of the line for the second car, so we didn't get the luxury of standing by a window to take pictures of the view on the way up. I couldn't believe how many people they put on the car at one time. At one point when we were almost to the top, several people could see the cable stretching; that was definitely a little scary, but I wasn't too worried. I've found that I trust people, technology, and architecture probably a little too much.
Anyway, the view from the top was beautiful. We met together at the top to discuss the agenda. We were free to split up into small groups and go explore different areas; we just needed to meet back at the cable car spot by 2 so that we could catch the 2:45 p.m. train back to Barcelona, since it only runs there once every hour.
I went with the same small group I had been doing things with in other activities. We walked up and down the main street to just see everything there was to offer. The view was gorgeous; I was able to take several pictures.
Several of the people I was with wanted to go to the Sacred Cave and walk through it, but it was 3,50 euro to take the trolley there one way or a 40 minute walk for free. They were willing to walk, but by the time we found some lunch and decided to see the "must-see" Mary's Orb, there wasn't enough time. And honestly, I was thankful. I had had enough of the walking after Paris, and we were still walking a lot in Barcelona. I didn't want to add to it for no reason. I guess that's the mindset of a typical American, but trust me, if you had my feet, you'd understand.
For lunch there was another, larger cafeteria inside the gift shop. There was a lot to choose from, but by day 3, I had decided Barcelona was not the place for me to eat. So instead, Jake, Justin, and I decided to get some bread from the bakery. We bought a huge loaf thing of this sugar dessert-like bread called croque. It was really good, but not that filling, which I was used to. The boys bought another one to split, but I just didn't see another 1/ 3 of the loaf making that much difference. After lunch we went into the huge cathedral, which was actually in service at the time, so we had to be extra quiet taking pictures. We only took a few minutes to walk through the back of the catherdral, and then we walked out and got in line to see (and touch) Mary's Orb. Since I'm not Catholic, I didn't really understand the significance behind Mary's Orb. I was told by other people, and there was a sign that said that touching Mary's Orb would bring you the blessing of Jesus. I just found on the website that it is known as the Black Madonna. Here is a link to the site if you're interested in learning more about it: The Black Madonna at Monserrat.
For lunch there was another, larger cafeteria inside the gift shop. There was a lot to choose from, but by day 3, I had decided Barcelona was not the place for me to eat. So instead, Jake, Justin, and I decided to get some bread from the bakery. We bought a huge loaf thing of this sugar dessert-like bread called croque. It was really good, but not that filling, which I was used to. The boys bought another one to split, but I just didn't see another 1/ 3 of the loaf making that much difference. After lunch we went into the huge cathedral, which was actually in service at the time, so we had to be extra quiet taking pictures. We only took a few minutes to walk through the back of the catherdral, and then we walked out and got in line to see (and touch) Mary's Orb. Since I'm not Catholic, I didn't really understand the significance behind Mary's Orb. I was told by other people, and there was a sign that said that touching Mary's Orb would bring you the blessing of Jesus. I just found on the website that it is known as the Black Madonna. Here is a link to the site if you're interested in learning more about it: The Black Madonna at Monserrat.
Mary's Orb below
After the Orb, we went on a small, quiet trail on one side of the mountain. Since I didn't want to walk much, I was thankful that it was a short path. I was thankful I went though because the view was beautiful, especially because it was quiet.
Then, we headed to the gift shop, which was the biggest one I had seen. I loved looking at all the little trinkets even though I didn't buy anything since there were mostly things with the Black Madonna on it, and I knew I couldn't appreciate it in the same way as the Catholics who understood it more than I do.
We all met back by the entrance to take the cable car back down, but sadly, they were on break or lunch or something and the next car wasn't running until 2:34 p.m.; it was only 2 p.m. We waited in line for that thirty minutes, which didn't seem like that long at all actually. However, we were worried that we were going to miss the 2:45 R5 train. I did get a window spot on the way down, but it went more quickly than I expected; I guess gravity helped us.
We made the train just in time thankfully, but it wasn't as enjoyable because kids were getting out of school and people were getting off work so the train was more crowded. When we arrived back at the hotel, I was able to enjoy a nap before several of us were going to head out to a jazz club.
A few of us decided to go get some quick dinner at 6:30 p.m. before going to the jazz club, since we weren't exactly sure what to expect from there. We went to a pizza place on the corner of the block the hotel was on. Since the only kinds available is whatever they had made at the time, I just got a slice of the margherita (cheese) pizza. The slices there were huge! That's something I definitely didn't expect while being in Europe. We took them back to the hotel and ate in our room. Even though I took two Lactaid with the slice, it still really upset my stomach. The cheeses are too strong here!
We met in the lobby to go to the jazz club at 7:30 p.m., but after Jake finished asking the hotel desk staff for directions, we found out through him that the jazz club just happened to be on strike because of high taxes that day. It's probably terrible, but I wasn't too disappointed since going would've only involved more walking. Instead we walked across the street to a super cheap place Jake found, since a couple people hadn't eaten yet. I didn't order anything, but they brought us some free pork rinds that Justin insisted I try because they were apparently stale; they were. Then, I tried a sip of his Sangria, which we both agreed wasn't as good as the pizza place in Paris, but it was still good, just stronger. After dinner, we decided to walk around awhile, and then several people wanted to go back to Las Ramblas. So we hopped on the metro and went that way. Sadly, after walking around for a little while, we realized that everything was closing, even though it was only around 9 p.m.
We decided to head back to the hotel and several of us enjoyed some wine together. I got to FaceTime Sam on Wednesday night since I stayed up late, and it was definitely worth staying up until 2:30 a.m. I honestly couldn't wait for the trip to be over so I could get home. Plus,
the next day was beach day and we didn't have to be ready until 11 a.m, so I still got a decent amount of sleep.
Until next time, adios friends.
We all met back by the entrance to take the cable car back down, but sadly, they were on break or lunch or something and the next car wasn't running until 2:34 p.m.; it was only 2 p.m. We waited in line for that thirty minutes, which didn't seem like that long at all actually. However, we were worried that we were going to miss the 2:45 R5 train. I did get a window spot on the way down, but it went more quickly than I expected; I guess gravity helped us.
We made the train just in time thankfully, but it wasn't as enjoyable because kids were getting out of school and people were getting off work so the train was more crowded. When we arrived back at the hotel, I was able to enjoy a nap before several of us were going to head out to a jazz club.
A few of us decided to go get some quick dinner at 6:30 p.m. before going to the jazz club, since we weren't exactly sure what to expect from there. We went to a pizza place on the corner of the block the hotel was on. Since the only kinds available is whatever they had made at the time, I just got a slice of the margherita (cheese) pizza. The slices there were huge! That's something I definitely didn't expect while being in Europe. We took them back to the hotel and ate in our room. Even though I took two Lactaid with the slice, it still really upset my stomach. The cheeses are too strong here!
We met in the lobby to go to the jazz club at 7:30 p.m., but after Jake finished asking the hotel desk staff for directions, we found out through him that the jazz club just happened to be on strike because of high taxes that day. It's probably terrible, but I wasn't too disappointed since going would've only involved more walking. Instead we walked across the street to a super cheap place Jake found, since a couple people hadn't eaten yet. I didn't order anything, but they brought us some free pork rinds that Justin insisted I try because they were apparently stale; they were. Then, I tried a sip of his Sangria, which we both agreed wasn't as good as the pizza place in Paris, but it was still good, just stronger. After dinner, we decided to walk around awhile, and then several people wanted to go back to Las Ramblas. So we hopped on the metro and went that way. Sadly, after walking around for a little while, we realized that everything was closing, even though it was only around 9 p.m.
We decided to head back to the hotel and several of us enjoyed some wine together. I got to FaceTime Sam on Wednesday night since I stayed up late, and it was definitely worth staying up until 2:30 a.m. I honestly couldn't wait for the trip to be over so I could get home. Plus,
the next day was beach day and we didn't have to be ready until 11 a.m, so I still got a decent amount of sleep.
Until next time, adios friends.
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