Heaven is a place on Earth, and I found it in Barcelona!
Okay, let’s not get carried away here. I have only just arrived in Barcelona, but I am already extremely happy I chose to stay a total of five days. I’m going to be honest:
most of this time will be spent at the beach.
Yes, Barcelona is filled with various sights to see and sangrias to drink.
Yes, I could probably find a better way to spend five days in a new city I have yet to discover.
Yes, that many hours in the sun can be damaging.
But, I’ve been living in London for the last six months people.
SO BRING ON THE BEACH!
Also, my already gorgeous boyfriend has been working on his tan for over two months in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. So that bronzed God is going to walk out of the airport and I wouldn’t mind having a little color of my own. I mostly don’t want to be translucent in photos that we take together.
#firstworldproblems
The Air Bnb that I am currently staying in is about a 30 minute ride on the metro to Barceloneta Beach. I start my mornings {cough, cough afternoon; gotta take advantage of these first few days of sleeping in} by picking up a couple pieces of fruit in the market nearby and make my way to the beach.
But if I decide to splurge, it’s on one of these babies!
I have already discovered my favorite cafe in Barcelona. Brunch & Cake by the Sea serves all organic food and has plenty of gluten free options. The first morning I ate at Brunch & Cake, I ordered oat and ricotta pancakes with fresh fruit and golden maple syrup. Typing that is making me drool.
And the next day, I ordered a bagel as pictured above.
NOT gluten free I might add.
This was one of the most delicious {and filling} lunches I have ever had. A seeded bagel with scrambled eggs, avocado, spinach, and mushrooms with sweet potato and ricotta bites. And strawberries sprinkled about.
#foodporn
Barceloneta Beach is always crowded. And I mean crowded.
Not the place you want to go for a quiet, relaxing day listening to the waves crash against the sand. But if you can find space, and don’t mind a little company, it is the perfect place to spend an afternoon under the sun.
Since I am traveling alone during this portion of my trip, and I know the reputation Barcelona has for pick pocketing and having belongings stolen, I try to keep close to the water. That way, whenever I go for a dip in that warm Mediterranean Sea, I can have a clear view of my things.
It has been a long while since I have been parked up on a beach {without a heat rash and blisters}, spending an entire afternoon soaking up Vitamin D. I am already beginning to see tan lines… in the shower.
We all know how much of an optical illusion that can be.
I will make sure to do a bit of sightseeing while I am here. And I will post on the blog accordingly. I have tickets for Park Güell tomorrow afternoon, which I am living, breathing, and dying for.
So that should be spectacular.
And I hope to check out so more Gaudí masterpieces along the way.
And in case you are wondering about the Barcelona night life, I cannot be of any help. I have been having early nights here in Spain. I know once I reconnect with Bree in a few days and Eric a few days after that, I will have many long days and nights ahead. I am sure I will be praying for early nights like these ones at some point.
No more cuppas from this side of the world. Way too hot for that.
I have replaced my cuppa tonight with a 1.5 L bottle of water. Gotta stay hydrated!