"BARCELONA...Where Spain and Europe Meet" Barcelona by Michael_D


Barcelona Travel Guide: 11,760 reviews and 20,783 photos

Calle San Pablo Barcelona

Thats me as a kid on my 1st trip to Europe for 2 months with an interail pass. Im the guy on the left and Dorothy from Toronto is in the back row on the right.

Dorothy sent me this picture not long ago>over 30years after it was taken;-)

We met on a train from France headed to Barcelona.

BARCELONA was the 1st city I fell in love with on my very FIRST trip to Europe in 1492...UH..make that 1972...LOL...It was beautifull..dirt cheap..had great weather...I spoke the language and I was sure I wanted to retire there someday. It was love at first sight. Mi corazon! I still think Spain would be a good place to retire

In those days(70's) I could get a room off the Ramblas at the Hostel Rio for $1 and had a hard time spending $3 a day for food AND the place was teeming with young ladies from North America(I seemed to meet Canadians) who, by virtue of the fact that the local males would hiss and pinch them at will, would return to the Hostel and not venture out without male companionship.It was like shooting fish in a barrel...Hey..it was the 70's! I did meet some wonderfull people from USA and a very nice woman from Canada named Dorothy >we went out dancing till the wee hours along the Ramblas> we won a dance contest>now 30years later we have re-connected and are as good friends as ever.

Things have changed and its easy to spend $10 a day just on breakfast...I wouldnt stay in the Hpstel Rio and I no longer shoot fish in barrels(ecological reasons..LOL)but I am not aversed to being a guide for anyone when Im in Barcelona.Its still a great city. Viva Espana!

BARCELONA is still as cool as ever, but, times have changed. From all ive been reading Barcelona has somewhat of a reputation for creativity in separating you from your worldly goods. Dont panic...just keep you wits about you...and maybe..just maybe,,,be sure you have male companionship when you go sightseeing...hahaha,, (I ALWAYS LOVED BARCELONA.;-)

Barcelona is art

To my mind Barcelona is ART..Picasso the artist and Gaudi the architect both lived here and sometimes it seems like Gaudi built things while Picasso drew up the plans..as you see Gaudi built some amazing , somewhat abstract and avant guard buildings.His legacy is evident all over BARCELONA.

Being somewhat a recluse Gaudi worked & went home alone as a routine. He was hit by a bus one day & though everyone knew the NMAE Gaudi..no one recognized him...he died alone in a hospital.

Pros and Cons
  • Pros:Great weather, close proximity to the rest of Europe
  • Cons:Its gotten more expensive lately
  • In a nutshell:Id go again in a heartbeat;-)
  • Intro Updated Aug 16, 2011
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Comments (75)

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  • Balam's Profile Photo
    Balam Feb 28, 2008 at 6:16 AM Report Abuse

    Great Olf pic at the start, Good page, Thanks

  • deecat's Profile Photo
    deecat Jun 30, 2005 at 4:03 PM Report Abuse

    Michael, I see that you love architecture as much I do, and Barcelona is a paradise for architecture. Wonderful insights. Excellent introduction and fabulous photographs.

  • jamiesno's Profile Photo
    jamiesno Dec 6, 2004 at 5:50 PM Report Abuse

    It looks like I missed out on my trip to Spain. Maybe next time I guess, LOL :-)

  • Maria_75's Profile Photo
    Maria_75 Sep 30, 2004 at 2:16 PM Report Abuse

    Great page about a beautiful city!

  • bugalugs's Profile Photo
    bugalugs Jan 6, 2004 at 1:50 PM Report Abuse

    A nice informative page Michael and some lovely pics

  • tpangelinan's Profile Photo
    tpangelinan Jul 16, 2003 at 7:29 AM Report Abuse

    Great page!! Beautiful photos & great tips!! Thanks for sharing your trip!! :-)

  • knox's Profile Photo
    knox May 7, 2003 at 2:36 AM Report Abuse

    Great page ! Best wishes from a white pinoy !

  • Jim_Eliason's Profile Photo
    Jim_Eliason Jan 13, 2003 at 7:33 PM Report Abuse

    Very nice page, barcelona is a beautiful city!

  • craic's Profile Photo
    craic Nov 29, 2002 at 10:42 PM Report Abuse

    Gaudi and Barcelona. Barcelona and Gaudi.

  • arlequin_g's Profile Photo
    arlequin_g Jul 27, 2002 at 12:52 AM Report Abuse

    Good work. And very god photos

Michael_D

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