Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

First of all, I updated the previous two posts to include some pictures, so go check those out! But this one won't have any :-(

Secondly, I'm sorry I haven't updated in so long. You see, on our last day in Madrid I fell sick with a severe case of stomach flu and wasn't able to see any of the attractions that I wanted to see that day. The disease persisted during our trip to Barcelona, and became so bad that I actually went to the hospital and spent an entire day there. Now it is the night of June 10, our 3rd night in Paris (of 6), and although I'm well enough to walk around and see attractions I am still experiencing symptoms over a week after the onset of the disease. So now, I will tell you about my experience in Barcelona, but due to my health (or lack thereof) at the time there is very little to tell, so this will be a short post.

First of all, Barcelona is an unbelievably beautiful city. It has medieval and Renaissance remnants as well as modernist structures by the famous Antoni Gaudi and his contemporaries. There is much to see in the city, but since I was bedridden our first two days there I simply didn't get to. Instead, I can tell you a lot about the Hospital Del Mar and what it's like. But I won't. I will simply say that I spent 14 hours there hooked up to an IV, determined that I don't have any major life-threatening illness (e.g. appendicitis), and received an enormous bill that my American insurance company better cover, or else.

On the final 2 days of our stay I felt good enough to hop onto on of those tour-busses that drives around the city with headphone narration. I got to see many sights from afar, but the only ones I really got to experience are the following:

1) The Sagrada Familia

If you visit one place in Barcelona, it has to be this. It is simply astounding. The final masterpiece of the great Antoni Gaudi, it has been under construction for 131 years and is expected to be finished in 25 more. Although the construction cranes get in the way it is still a breathtaking sight to behold, and you MUST stand in line and pay the entry fee to see the inside. It is unlike any other cathedral or basilica in the world, and if you take a guided tour you can learn about Gaudi's architectural marvel. I spent 2 hours there and easily could have spent more.

2) The Barcelona Cathedral

This much more ancient Cathedral boasts beautiful gothic architecture and stained glass windows. I was told that many of the other sites I missed were very similar to this, so I guess I got a taste.

3) The Palau de la Musica Catalana

You can read about this one yourself, but know that it is every bit as nice as the pictures and worth a visit. But now I have to sign off because it's getting late.

Hopefully I will feel 100% healthier soon and update you about Paris in 3 days!

-Yuval