Eurotrip 2006 : Barcelona 21st Sept - 24th Sept

Barcelona

This was my first trip in Eurolines and also my trip alone. Wouldnt lie but i was definetely scared as I was travelling alone to a new country, Spain. With all the language problems things werent quite hunky dory. My start was very bad. The day I was supposed to go I decided to take a printout of the eurolines timetable. So as I started to the univ in the afternoon to take the printouts. To my surprise i found out that there are no return buses from Barcelona for a month. Being totally confused, I headed back home with mixed feelings to cancel my trip. But then I decided to take the plunge and head for the adventure. Having already wasted much time thinking things over, I packed whatever i had and then rushed to the bus station. I just managed to reach on time. When I boarded the bus I got a seat beside quite a hot spanish girl who unfortunately dint know a word of english (As if I stood a chance if she knew it). Howver whatever little chance was there got snatched when she ditched the place beside me and went to sit across me beside a handsome spanish guy. While i was left nursing my wounds both of them romped the whole night. The only saving grace was that I got to see a live soft porn flick for free. Anyways after the bad night, I decided to put the rejection behind and move on. Was a bit worried about how would i be able to find my hostel. The bus landed in quite a big place and the first thing that i did was to find out the buses back to milan. Thankfully there was one available the next day. I immediately booked it and then went to a tourist information center to get info but it wasnt quite helpful. Fortunately i met this guy who knew english and helped me with tickets n all. Felt quite duped to find out that my hostel was quite far from the city center. After landing on the nearest station Vallvedrera, I found out that i have to trek some half a kilometer uphill to my hostel (Sleep well). Hostel was quite good with the exception of the stern receptionist. I put my stuff in my locker and headed out with a map to Barca. Needless to say, I found it quite impressive. The square outside the main station was teeming with tourists and it was beautiful too. Apparently a festival had just started and there were lotsa bands playing all around. After roaming about the station i headed off to the famous Ra Lamblas street. It was unquestionably the most lively street in europe. (nobody can beat India). With people posing with their faces painted to exotic eatouts to some nice shopping ..u will find them all ..The street led to the sea port which was kind of guarded by the tower of Coloumbus. Port looked quite busy. Not interested in ports i headed off to the famous topless beaches of barcelona. But weather had other plans for me. Was quite overcast with some intermittent showers and all that i could see were topless men. Dejected I returned to la ramblas and hanged around there and saw the cathedrals and other places nearby . Most of barcelona`s touristy places are around there. I went to Granja Viader which is a 125 years old dairy and had the most amazing hot choclate and cream of my life...simply amazing. During the evening, I saw the many bands playing around the station square. After dinner, I headed back to my hostel. While I was hanging out smoking ..i met this polish guy and a uruguyan gal. The girl had been to india and she loved it. We immediateòy hit it off and next we were smoking hash. The next day after a nice and free breakfast I headed off to Museo Picasso. I had always loved his paintings. Among the many monuments that i saw ..La Sagradia Familia was quite good. I returned back to my hostel around 3 pm. My bus back to Milan was at 5. I checked out of the hostel and headed to the bus station. Reached well ahead time. Next I was dozing off in the bus quite oblivious to the arabic couple and their wailing baby.