On Leaving Barcelona

Sophie Blitz
Jul 30, 2017 · 5 min read

I’m writing this, not from Barcelona, but from Rome. Not only did the country change over the last 4 hours, but also the people.

Cue teary-eye music as I have gone from this….

….to this…

Alone at il mercato centrale Roma, outside Termini Station

Hence, not only does this post mark the end of a fantastic 4 days in Barcelona, but also mine and Charlie’s attempts to reap all the money-saving benefits of couple’s retreat holiday deals.

This was not the only reason Charlie and I travelled together. In-fact, we failed entirely in that sense; after all, I ended up marrying someone else (see previous post), and Charlie prefers Australians.

There are a good number of reasons why Charlie and I travel together, and I shall combine these reasons with some of the more cultural elements of our trip:

1. We agree on most things

For example, we both strongly agree that the Eastern side of Barcelona’s renowned ‘Sagrada Familia’ is the most fantastically ugly thing that we have ever seen. George Orwell agrees with us too; the author believed it to be “one of the most hideous buildings in the world”, and hoped that it would be crushed during the Spanish Civil War. I wouldn’t wish for it to be destroyed, but rather, for it to be admired for its ugliness.

La Sagrada Familia is the unfinished brainchild of Antoni Gaudi: the infamous Catalan architect, renowned for his modernist and strikingly unusual designs. This Roman Catholic Basilica, when it is complete, is to be the tallest religious building in the World; it will have 18 spires, representing the 12 Apostles, the Virgin Mary, the Four Evangelists and Jesus Christ himself.

The facades carved into the Basilica are particularly striking, although the crumbling face of the Eastern side distracts from the ornate statues and scenes of the Nativity. How fantastic is it that something that so monstrous on one side can be so revered, so longed for, and so different on the other side….

Construction of the basilica began in 1882, but was delayed by Gaudi’s death in 1926 and the Spanish Civil War (1936–1939), as well as a number of other divisive controversies concerning its disruptive construction. Plans state that it shall be completed in 2026, at the centenary of Gaudi’s death.

We thought that La Sagrada Familia gets much better as you turn to the West

The Western side displays the Passion Facade, which celebrates the passion of Christ during his crucifixion. Although more simplistic in style, you can see each statue clearly and admire the beauty of it more, without being overshadowed by a massive chunk of broken rock above you.

I am sure that the Sagrada Familia is stunningly beautiful on the inside, but I wouldn’t know, because we didn’t book tickets in advance and the building was sold out. Besides, tickets to go inside Gaudi’s buildings cost over 20 euros each, even for students, as the buildings are privately owned. Pet peeve.

2. We are deep and passionate masters of art

This really came to light when visiting Casa Batllo – another Gaudi masterpiece. Gaudi designed the house itself, with all its skeletal shapes, it’s lack of straight lines, it’s shimmering mosaic shield.

It is fantastic simply to look at, with the colours and the light bouncing off the windows at midday, and it’s dragon-back roof. Apparently, the inside of the Casa Batllo is stunning too, with its colourful, curved balcony that is always pictured on the brochures for Barcelona.

I much preferred this building to La Sagrada Familia, perhaps because it was smaller, more colourful, nicer on the eye. It is more intimate than the overwhelmingly large basilica not too far from it.

We admired the building for a short while, before quickly realising that we could outdo Gaudi with our own artwork:

Do the Ben Malpas and keep the same facial expression consistent throughout

3. We are individually very different

This was best characterised by the state of our beds:

Here’s Charlie’s

Here’s mine

There are many more instances of individual differences, most notably in choice of dance moves (he’s a twerker, I’m a steal-your-drink-er).


I would continue on, but all there is to be said is Barcelona – 10/10 would go again any day. Top, top city.

X

(P.S. No longer alone in Rome; was discovered by Diana, India and Scarlett. All good)

Sophie Blitz

Written by

London, or Amman for now - studies Arabic/Classics

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade