Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Day 125: Madrid to Barcelona
September 28: Was meant to catch a train in the mid morning from Madrid (Atocha station) to Barcelona (Sants station), but missed it due to a mix up.
Consequently, I sat at the station for almost two hours and caught the next one.
Turned out not to be so bad. Being in the best class, I was given free drinks and food throughout the journey including alcohol, a small snack and lunch. The trip was just over 5 hours, and I ended up having two seats, as the one next to me was vacant so I could spread out!
Made my way to my hostel, which is very reasonable, nice people and only about a 10 minute walk to Placa Catalunya and Las Ramblas, which is great!
Decided to see the famous Gaudi (unfinished) cathedral, Segrada Familia, before dark - including the museum underneath, before catching the train to Paral.lel station and walking along the waterfront, down near the Columbus monument. Hope to return here sometime when it´s light.
FYI - Bought the Barcelona card today to help with discounts for the sightseeing places.
Had dinner (pallela) at a really yummy place, Micky´s (funnily enough for those Sydney people!) on Las Ramblas... and met a cool couple from England too. Then headed up the main street to see people giving massages, doing acrobatics, selling beer by the can, doing chinese name drawings, spray painting vinyl records and more.
Went via Place Real and Placa Catalunya before returning to the hostel.
Looking forward to a big day of sightseeing tomorrow. Great experience so far, love the vibe here... feel like Barcelona is going to be one of my highlights!
Consequently, I sat at the station for almost two hours and caught the next one.
Turned out not to be so bad. Being in the best class, I was given free drinks and food throughout the journey including alcohol, a small snack and lunch. The trip was just over 5 hours, and I ended up having two seats, as the one next to me was vacant so I could spread out!
Made my way to my hostel, which is very reasonable, nice people and only about a 10 minute walk to Placa Catalunya and Las Ramblas, which is great!
Decided to see the famous Gaudi (unfinished) cathedral, Segrada Familia, before dark - including the museum underneath, before catching the train to Paral.lel station and walking along the waterfront, down near the Columbus monument. Hope to return here sometime when it´s light.
FYI - Bought the Barcelona card today to help with discounts for the sightseeing places.
Had dinner (pallela) at a really yummy place, Micky´s (funnily enough for those Sydney people!) on Las Ramblas... and met a cool couple from England too. Then headed up the main street to see people giving massages, doing acrobatics, selling beer by the can, doing chinese name drawings, spray painting vinyl records and more.
Went via Place Real and Placa Catalunya before returning to the hostel.
Looking forward to a big day of sightseeing tomorrow. Great experience so far, love the vibe here... feel like Barcelona is going to be one of my highlights!
# posted by mishij @ 2:56 PM 
