Barcelona

There is much more to Barcelona than what Gaudí has done with it. In this post we will dive into the entertaining walking street: La Rambla, take a look at some true European spirit, and show the value of wandering aimlessly and taking short cuts through parks.

La Rambla

During the daytime this 1.2 kilometer pedestrian mall is teeming with both tourists and locals alike. Not to mention all the buskers, pushers, outdoor restaurants, and the police, whom we got to know on a personal level.

The tree-lined La Rambla during the day.

La Rambla.

La Rambla

The best use of a tip I've ever seen: when you splash some coinage in this man's bucket he leans one cheek and farts. The echo in the toilet is masterful. (Photo by Spencer Bridgers)

The look is one thing, but the sounds really completes the piece. He has some instrument in his mouth that makes a noise corresponding to how he shapes his lips. The high pitch laugh is absolutely hilarious.

This woman definitely creeps me out. She also uses the noise-maker.

Each time we passed this man he had amassed a crowd of spectators staring and discussing possibilities, totally puzzled. The only busker to keep a constant crowd, he must make a killing in money.

This character would sit still for a minute or two, wait until someone became brave enough to approach him then simply move an arm and the brave soul became a squeamish girl and ran off. If a tipper approaches, the headless man extends his arm for a hand shake. Those with enough courage to take his hand soon regret it as he stands up and tightens his grip, with movements reminiscent of Frankenstein's monster.

The girl with large cojones. She went through the loop described in the last picture a few times before meeting face to neck.

During the night things become a little different. Restaurants put out more tables, each advertising their price for a pitcher of sangria. Pushers come out trying to sell these cheap plastic toys that they launch into the air, light up and slowly helicopter down. International visitors desperate for some extra spending money tell you about the "amazing" party at this bar or that bar tonight. The standing buskers have moved on and been replaced with artists. There is a multitude of caricature artists, spray paint artists, and souvenir clock-makers. The most interesting night we had on La Rambla started with getting to know one caricature artist. We attempted to peer-pressure Sveta in getting her sketch made, but she was reluctant. We did however convince the man to allow us to use his equipment, and make an attempt of our own caricature. Spencer was the champ in this case, did most of the convincing, and showcased her blossoming artistic talent.

Spencer and her subject Nick, with the critic overlooking Spencer's progress. (Photo by Sveta Mardar)

Step 1: Draw potato for head. (Photo by Sveta Mardar)

Step 2: Add horrendously deformed ears. (Photo by Sveta Mardar)

Step 3: Add finishing details, each mole and every mustache hair. (Photo by Sveta Mardar)

Spencer adding the finishing touches. (Photo by Sveta Mardar)

I definitely notice some similarities. (Photo by Sveta Mardar)

Spencer felt obligated to get a caricature of herself after using the artist's equipment, and driving away all of his business. (Photo by Sveta Mardar)

The people here in Barcelona are well aware of a tourist's vulnerability and have a system established to extract large amounts of cash in a short time. These con artists set up a table. On the table is a red cloth, three cups, and one ball. I think everyone knows how this game works. The con artist moves the ball from one cup to the next, then forcibly asks a walker-by or a viewer which cup the ball is under. First he asks to see the money, and if you show it then its truly too late. As only a viewer, it's possible to guess the cup correctly every time. Nick and I stood there and guessed cup after cup, each time regretting that we didn't place the minimum 50 Euro bet. Some people would guess, get it wrong, and lose they're money, but they weren't guessing the cup that we knew it was under. This further agitated us. One or two guys, who we later knew were working with the con artist, would win over and over again, pulling in 200-300 euros in a half hour. Eventually Nick was coaxed into betting by the con artist and his winning companion. We both knew which cup the ball was under, we could see the ball just as it slips under the cup and he doesn't move it after that. But when Nick lifted the correct cup the ball was gone. Money down the drain.
Totally bummed out we kept walking down La Rambla and were eventually approached by some guy holding a badge. In the state we were in I didn't believe he was any person of authority and was sizing him up wondering how he was trying to scam us. He could tell we were skeptics, so he lifted the bottom of his shirt to flash his gun. Alright, maybe he's the real deal. Now we're thinking: "oh shit, we did something illegal. First we lose money and now we're being booked by the cops, in Barcelona!". Not the case. He was an undercover cop who had been watching the game we were at, and after sending in the call to bust the con artists he seeks out victims (that's how he referred to Nick, the victim) to get their money back.
We were escorted down La Rambla to the police station, each passerby wondering what these hoodlums did to be surrounded by police men and women. After some heavy paperwork Nick was eventually returned his euros, which we wisely used for some sangria. Cool experience.

Us four in the police station on La Rambla in Barcelona.

Our escorts looked like the guy here in the yellow jacket. You can bet we stood out quite obviously along that walk.

The undercover cop demonstrating to Nick how thieves steal your wallet from your pocket. The hand shake takes away your attention long enough for them to snatch your belongings, which is likely only a split second. The leg is the next measure if the handshake isn't effective.

Those euros tell an interesting tale.

The first day in Barcelona we spent walking around the enchanting, picturesque European streets. At each turn we were visually pleased and excited to keep exploring. Musicians were spread throughout the streets such that as one faded out you could begin to hear the next only a few steps away. The following pictures will follow our journey starting in Plaça de Catalunya, passing through side streets and slowly making our way to the beach and harbour.

Plaça de Catalunya. (Photo by Spencer Bridgers)

Sveta in Plaça de Catalunya. (Photo by unknown)

(Photo by Sveta Mardar)

(Photo by Sveta Mardar)

(Photo by Sveta Mardar)

(Photo by Nicholas Jewitt)

Desperate to try the oranges.

(Photo by Nicholas Jewitt)

(Photo by Nicholas Jewitt)

(Photo by Spencer Bridgers)

A market showcasing paintings by local and distant artists. (Photo by Spencer Bridgers)

Musician in the streets of Barcelona.

Three-piece band. (Photo by Sveta Mardar)

Street in Barcelona. (Photo by Nicholas Jewitt)

In this area of Barcelona there used to exist some sort of fortress. Now, the construct on the left hand side of this photo is what remains of the wall belonging to this fortress of the past. (Photo by Spencer Bridgers)

Fortress wall of the past.

Spencer admiring the wall.

View of a local park. (Photo by Nicholas Jewitt)

Flower pedals in the grass. (Photo by Sveta Mardar)

Vegetation, vegetation.

Orange Trees! (Photo by unknown)

Twelve piece orchestra playing in front of a church.

Traditional Catalan dance. This circle would grow to about double the size as locals joined in the festivities. The dance was performed along with the Catalan music played by the orchestra. (Photo by Sveta Mardar)

A large gathering to watch the dancers.

(Photo by Sveta Mardar)

This door has meaning, although I can't remember what.

My hand fit perfectly into the golden imprint on the door. Perhaps a long descendant of Catalan royalty? (Photo by Spencer Bridgers)

Indoor Nature

Potable water fountain. (Photo by Spencer Bridgers)

Port de Barcelona (Photo by Nicholas Jewitt)

(Photo by Nicholas Jewitt)

(Photo by Spencer Bridgers)

Port de Barcelona at night. 

(Photo by Nicholas Jewitt)

His finished pieces were layered with thick paint, you could really lose yourself in their depth.

(Photo by Spencer Bridgers)

During our first night in Barcelona we stumbled upon a protest. The striking thing about it was the unity of these people. I really enjoyed seeing the community come together and shout against what they believe to be wrong, unfair, and unjust.
There were actually two protests happening simultaneously in the same location. One was to remember the wrong doings of the past, and the other to prevent the wrong doings of the future. Although I don't know the full stories, one protest was to remember the oppressive state that Spain was under while a Spanish dictator named Francisco Franco held office between 1939 and 1973. The other was to prevent hotel companies from buying up lower class sections of Barcelona and converting then into tourist accommodations.

No Tinc Por. I am not afraid. (Photo by Sveta Mardar)

Protest against hotel companies.

Children doing their part. (Photo by Spencer Bridgers)

Voicing their opinion up high. (Photo by Sveta Mardar)

Protesting continued in this square until dark, when more police gathered. The people then began to march.

The march begins. (Photo by Sveta Mardar)

Policia. (Photo by Spencer Bridgers)

(Photo by Spencer Bridgers)

Capitalist Democracy = Dictatorship Of The Rich (Photo by Spencer Bridgers)

"Thousands of people sleeping on the street. That is violence."

People covered head to toe in black, including masks, would jump out of the crowd and spray paint these messages and black out ABMs then blend back in with the population.

Definitely a memorable time in Barcelona. Thanks for the trip guys.

Spencer, Nick, Sveta, Patrick.