Day 39: Its 4 a.m.

Friday - June 25, 2010:

This is where the 5 day Spanish journey begins for Kasi, Lindsey, Emily, Brittany, Becca, Katelyn, Kate and myself!

I've decided my alarm should never be set to 4 a.m. -- it should be outlawed. Because waking up Friday morning to go to the airport was rough - it was still dark out! Luckily we had all taken a Tylonal PM at 10, so we got some decent rest. I barely remember the 30 minutes I spent in the Palace after waking up. All I know is that we made it to our cab at 4:50 and were at the airport by 5:20 for our 6:30 flight. We were all so paranoid about the weight limit of our bags (it's 15 kilos, which is about 27 pounds) because we had to pack for 10 days. But, just like with our London flight, Ryan Air isn't too concerned about the numbers because I think atleast 3 girls went over and they just turned a blind eye to it. My packing skills must be getting better (or maybe I forgot something...) because my handy-dandy backpack was only 9 kilos! You know what that means... More kilo allowance to bring stuff bbaaaccckk! Just kidding... sort of! We got our boarding passes and made our way through security and to the gate. Let me tell you the main difference between Delta and Ryan Air -- Delta gives you assigned seats and on Ryan Air it's a free for all... So people get rutheless waiting in line! Of course millions of people cut in front of us in line, but when we tried to get with our friends who were ahead of us, we get yelled out. Were young Americans--we stand out and are an easy target. But my skin must be getting tougher this summer because normally I'd fold like a house of cards and cry after getting publicly called out by a stranger -- but I brushed it off pretty well this morning! We loaded the plane, made a mad dash for seats (we ended up being spread out all over the plane) and got ready for 1:50 hour flight with the glorious Ryan Air. I don't know why it scares me -- maybe it's because my flight ticket was $110 roundtrip or that they sell lottery tickets onboard or because the flight attendant looks like she's 15.... Whatever it is, it was making me keep my eyes closed and making me keep a death grip on my arm rest. On the plane I passed time by researching everywhere we were planning to go to and marked everything on a map -- I like to say "over prepare, then go with the flow!"

Once our plane safely landed, we found ourselves in Barcelona with a full day ahead of us! Although I complain about the 4 a.m. wake up call, it's nice to be checked into our hostel by lunch -- no time wasted! (Remind of this when I'm moaning again on Sunday because our flight leaves Dublin at 7. What were we thinking?)

{We made it!!}

{Kate is pumped for Barcelona}

{Lindsey, Kate and Emily saying a little prayer that we all get our luggage...}

{Waiting and waiting and waiting...}

{Everything makes it -- including the 14 Euro backpacks!}

We took a taxi from the airport to our Hostel just to be on the safe side (didn't want our first experience on the Metro to be with all of our huge luggage). When we got into the main part of Barcelona the Interior Design girls (Brittany, Kate and Lindsey) started freaking out because they spotted this famous building -- they were literally so excited! Next thing we knew, our cab was stopping and we were at our hostel! It was RIGHT there!! Can't believe it. We walked into our hostel and were pleasantly surprised with it's appearence (nothing like Picadilly Backpackers in London). We couldn't check in until 12, so we stored our luggage, grabbed a free orange out of the breakfast room and started walking towards La Rambla (the main road). We were still craving breakfast and coffee so our first stop was going to be... wait for it... Starbucks. Yep--we go for Starbucks any chance we get! Well, I got my map out and began navigating us towards La Rambla. Once we got on the right street we kept out eyes open fo the green sign... Not even a block down on the road and we look up and see TopShop. Freak out session. Then we look across the street and there is Starbucks. Are you serious?! We didn't even plan it!! So of course we stopped, got a coffee and a yogurt and ate it al fresco -- enjoying the bustling scene of Barcelona. Once we got our stamina back we went to TopShop and then walked back to Equity Centric Hostel to check in. Let me say -- this is quite the step up from Picadilly Backpackers! Friendly staff, clean clean clean, and free breakfast! It got even better when we opened the door to our room and found it to be clean and liveable as well. It also is in prime location -- hard to beat! So we checked in and head right back out for lunch and more wandering.

{Kasi pointing out that our taxi is a Mercedes -- they all are in Barcelona! Riding in style.}

{It's like a beacon guiding us home}

{Starbucks, al fresco in Barcelona... fabulous beginning!}

{The Equity Point Hostel in Barcelona -- highly recommended for travelers!}

{Only issue was that we were on floor 5 out of 6... good thing we've gotten practice climbing stairs in Italy!}

We came up on a restaurant that had an outside menu and all we saw on it were salads, and we jumped on that so quickly! We walked in, got a table and promptly ordered 7 of the same salads -- all we could say was "hope it's good!" Luckily, it didn't let us down. It was one of the best salads I've ever had! On it was apples, walnuts, rasains, homemade crutons and gorgonzola cheese with a wine reduction dressing! I easily could go there every day this trip and order it every time.

{Lindsey, Kate and Brittany enjoying lunch}

{The. Salad. So. Good.}

After we got some energy back in us we set out to attack Passieg de Gracias -- a major shopping area. We spent from probably 2:00-6:00 out roaming the streets, popping in and out of stores. We saw a good bit of the city, and like mentioned above, Barcelona surprised me! It's sidewalks were so wide, almost like the width of a street, so crowds weren't an issue -- nor did I feel unsafe at any point (something many people had warned us about). Once our legs gave out on us, we went back to the hostel, took a quick power nap and got ready for dinner.

{One of the sidewalks on Passieg de Gracias -- can you see how wide and beautiful they are? Nothing like the cramped sidewalks of Rome we have gotten used to}

{My favorite? Palm trees palm trees everywhere! And there were a lot of fountains all over the city. And it was clean. Ok, let's admit, there was a lot that made this city one of my favorites!}

We were all struggling to make decisions because our brains were working over time since the 4 a.m. wake up call -- so wanna know what we decided on for dinner? Subway -- not kidding. AND it hit the spot -- I've never had a more delicious sub or cookie or pepsi (eek, pepsi) on ice with free refils. We were all acting as if we've never eaten there before. The funny thing is, when we were all sitting down, we came to the conclusion that if we were in Auburn none of us would dream of going to Subway for dinner. Some girls haven't even been to the Subway on Magnolia! So why does it taste so delicious in Barcelona? 6 weeks of international food and you'll understand!

{Two words -- Free. Refils.}

{I am assuming this is a "This sandwich is so good I could just roll over and die" face from Becca. Would you agree?}

{Kasi documenting that we ate Subway our first night in Barcelona!}

{And Emily joined in the documenting!}

{Lindsey's kids meal came with a tattoo -- you know she put that baby on first thing!}

{Finished prodoct. So tough. So Barcelona.}

{And for dessert? Subway's cookie.}

We were all happy as clowns as we left the aroma of fresh baked bread so we decided to try and find a pub to watch some of the Espana game. Well we wandered down La Rambla and couldn't find what we were looking for so we settled for an outside table with pitchers of sangria decorated with funky straws! We got us a table and a glass and enjoyed our night :)

{So there are these annoying people who come by your tables and bombard you with cheap stuff to buy on impulse, right? Ok well they got on our last nerve because they would come up every 5 seconds and our reaction was always the same "Glare at them and don't say anything". Well this guy here in the pink obviously didn't feel the same way because he bought every thing that came offered and gave it to his date -- trying to impress. So on top of her Sangria, she had a long-stemmed rose, a drawing of the two of them sitting down and some light-up sunglasses. Who wouldn't want to go on this date? It was cracking us up!}

{I didn't know Barcelona was known for their Sangria, but apparently they are! And after this drink, I can say I know why... it was so tasty!}

{Sorry I got big into trying to do cool things with my camera...}

{No cool, funky straw, but that's ok}

I would say day 1 of mid term was a success -- thank you Spain!