I've been fascinated with European culture since I can remember and and have been waiting for some time now to visit this far off land. The desire to act on it finally came when my brother Gabriel was sent to Europe on a 4 month business trip. I read his blogs, saw his pictures, and felt a sudden inspirational urge to go on another adventure. (This would be my first time in another country since Costa Rica back in 2009).
I bought the airplane tickets and planned the trip only a month before actually taking off. Although I did not have the money allocated for this trip, I was not going to let that stop this sudden desire. I knew having Gabriel stationed there was a great opportunity to explore. I was also able to recruit my younger brother Andres to join me on this first ever visit to Europe. He would be the perfect adventuring partner since we were both of similar mindsets; on a budget, physically active, and hungry for adventure.
The initial plan was to see as much as we could in a full week. First we would fly into Brussels, then spend the weekend in Berlin with Gabriel. I had planned for us to go a futbol match at the infamous Olympiastadion where Hitler hosted the Olympics. Borussia Dortmund vs Hertha Berlin were playing and I knew it would be an incredible atmosphere. After that weekend we would spend the next 4 days exploring 3 different cities; Rome, Paris, and Barcelona. Unfortunately our flight to Berlin was cancelled due to a worker's strike, and we were unable to watch the soccer game. However the rest of the plan went on without any problems. I was very grateful that we were able to visit 4 countries in 7 days. It was worth every penny and I long for the day to be able to do it again.
Brussels and Bruges
Andres and I arrived to Brussels at around 7am local European time. The 8 hour flight on United Airlines was actually quite a treat with meal service, free wine, and new release movies. When we arrived to the Brussels airport we were quite surprised to see Gabriel waiting for us. He got us a taxi and took us to his hotel room. Once we were able to drop off our bags there was no time to rest. Gabriel had to work and Andres and I were eager to begin exploring the city. I was glad that my Google Maps was still working, despite no longer having roaming service. We thus began to navigate the city in search of the notable sites.
It wasn't long until we located the breath-taking Grand Place plaza, bursting with classic European architecture. The most impressive of these buildings was the Town Hall, standing at 315 feet tall, which was built in 1402. We continued to walk and eventually found the Mannekin Pis statue. This iconic Belgian statue was built in 1618 depicting a young child urinating into a fountain. We then made our way back to the town square and sat down at a cafe for our first food order. I order and Espresso and Andres ordered the soup of the day, Carrot Soup. The weather was perfect and the view was incredible.
Later on we went back to Gabriel's for a while, and then went out for lunch. I told Gabriel we wanted to eat the staple Belgian meal; which was Mussels, Fries, and Beer. The mussels were very good, drenched in a pot of broth. The beer was also very tasty. The fries tasted just like ours do here. (Fries originated in Belgium rather than France). Shortly after we discovered the news that our flight to Berlin was cancelled and we would have to alter our plan. I was a bit discouraged yet wasn't going to let it ruin my trip.
We rested for a short while at Gabriel's and then did some more walking later in the evening. Brussels was a booming city with so many walking pedestrians. It was also extremely diverse. While French was the common language everyone there could speak English. For dinner we went to a nice Thai restaurant and had some wine and beers. We later went out to a couple bars and had a few more drinks. We also ordered some Belgian Waffles, which was a very delicious dessert. That night Andres went out clubbing and gave us quite a scare when he did not get back until 9am.
On Saturday Gabriel and I decided to catch an early train to Bruges, an old city about an hour away from Brussels. All I knew of this city was from the Colin Ferrel movie, In Bruges. Andres did not join us since he had been dancing all night and wanted to rest. The town was very medieval, with old architecture and riverways running through it. The main town square was just as impressive as the one in Brussels, with the Belfry bell tower soaring over everything. It was built in 1280 and stands at an impressive 272 feet. Gabriel and I ordered a very tasty beer in this town square with a great view of the architecture.
There were many tourists in the town, admiring the old architecture just as we were. We went to a chocolate museum and afterwards got lunch at an indoor cafe. I ordered a salad, sandwich, and a beer. Later that afternoon as we were walking back to the train station we caught a local parade. We saw floats and people dressed in costumes, drinking and dancing. I even noticed many of the children were drinking the local beer, Jupiler.
We got back to Brussels later that evening, and did some more drinking at Gabriels hotel room. For dinner we met Gabriel's boss Gregory who treated us to Greek food. He was an American living in Belgium for the past 20 years and had many good stories and cultural knowledge. Afterwards we went to a couple more bars. Andres went out clubbing again.
On Sunday I was very tired and we didn't really have much of a plan for the day. We decided to go see the Atomium and maybe catch a soccer game in which Anderlecht was playing. Unfortunately we got the wrong stadium, however the Atomium was well worth the trip. This modern wonder was built in 1958 when Brussels hosted the World's Fair. It stands at an impressive 335 feet tall and has become the new iconic landmark of Belgium.
We also went to Mini Europe, a park of miniature models depicting the most famous buildings in Europe. For lunch we got hamburgers and fries and sat outside. We later did some more walking around the area, and back near Gabriel's hotel. Gabriel had to leave to Denmark that evening, and I went to bed early in preparation for the next phase of our trip.
Rome
We left Gabriel's hotel very early on Monday morning, to catch the train to the airport. From that point on we were on our own with just one backpack to get us thru 3 countries and 4 days of traveling. Our flight departed Brussels at 8 am and landed in Rome at approx 10 am. After a bit of walking, searching, and asking around we were able to find the direct bus to Vatican City. I was filled with great excitement to see the exteriors of St. Peter's Square and the Castel San Angelo. However we ran into some minor problems with our hotel room. 1st it took us a bit to find it, then they told us it wasn't ready so we had to take a taxi to a different room that they had arranged for us. That room also was not ready yet. Luckily we were able to leave our bags with the front desk and begin exploring the city.
We got some lunch at a recommended cafe and both ordered pizza. The pizza was thin crust and very filling. Afterwards we went to see our top priority Vatican City. The area was swarming with tourists, and I had to ask a Swiss Guard where the entrance to the museums were. We were luckily able to bypass the lines since we had bought our tickets in advance. We then explored the endless art within the museum for a couple hours, until we came upon it's grand finale; the Sistine Chapel. Looking up at Michelangelo's most famous paintings was like looking at heaven. It was a very special moment.
Afterwards we bought some souvenirs and Andres bought us some gelatos, the iconic Italian ice cream. We then walked into St. Peter's Square and noticed the line for the Basilica was far too long, so unfortunately we decided to save it for another trip. We returned to the hotel around 3pm and rested for a bit to charge our phones. We then set back out around 5pm on an ambitious drive to see all the sites in Rome before the sunset. I navigated us to the famed landmarks such as the Castel San Angelo, Piazza Navona, Pantheon, Altar of the Fatherland, and the Colosseum. We made it to the Colosseum just as the sun was setting and were lucky to be able to see it during the daytime and lit up at night.
I felt very satisfied and rejuvenated to look upon this glorious wonder of the world. We then continued our evening walk along the Tiber River which glimmered in the night. We met my friend Dena, for a nice Italian dinner. I ordered us a bottle of wine and got the ravioli filled with Sea Bass. We truly enjoyed one another's company and had great conversation and laughs the entire time. Dena joined us afterwards for some more walking and even hung out with me afterwards to have some more wine. Andres was a little disappointed that evening since the stores had closed early and he was unable to find a nightclub.
The next morning we woke up early once again to catch the bus to the airport. We were unable to find the bus stop in time, so decided to get a quick breakfast before the next bus would arrive. We found a nice cafe that served coffee and croissants. Andres ordered a tasty chocolate and a custard filled pastry. I was glad we had missed the 1st bus and were able to experience an Italian breakfast. We then caught the next bus and made it to the airport with time to spare. Our flight left Rome at 11am and arrived at Paris at 1pm. I was once again filled with excitement to see this famous city.
The City of Rome was just as beautiful as I had expected, filled with such ancient structures. I feel we got to see the main ones however there's still so much more to be seen. The people I thought were a bit on the shady side, somewhat hard to trust. Yet the food was the best we had all week (from their gelatos, croissants, pizza, pasta, ravioli, etc). I would like to spend a full week in Italy someday returning to Rome and also visiting Florence, Venice, and Milan for some time.
Paris
Just as we had done in Italy, we found a direct bus into the city center, this one was known as Le Bus Direct. I'll never forget how quiet it was on that bus ride into the city and my first sighting of the Eiffel Tower from afar. The bus dropped us off right in front of our hotel room, which was only 100 meters away from the Eiffel Tower. I was filled with emotion to finally be looking upon this incredible monument of which I had only seen in pictures and video. It was a true sight to behold, standing tall at an incredible 906 feet. (It was the tallest standing structure in the world for over 30 years.)
There was so much to see looking upon this architectural behemoth. At first I noticed how rusty it was which I suppose made sense considering it's age. I also noticed the names written upon the tower which commemorate the architects. There is also a restaurant within the tower, and a series of stair lifts that take people to the top. As we looked upon the tower with great wonder, it did not take long for beggars to bother us. Andres foolishly bought into one of the beggar's stories and gave her 5 euros which he would later come to regret. I told him it was a learning experience and he could not always be so nice.
For lunch we went to a cafe near our hotel room, where I made contact with our host. We both ordered baguettes and juice. After lunch we went to our room, which was a very simple tiny room up 7 flights of stairs, however it's location made up for it. We rested for a bit and let our phones charge, then I had to appease Andres and begin the day with some shopping. This was the last thing I wanted to do in Paris, but I wanted to compromise with him. So we found a mall and he found some affordable stores where he was able to buy some stylish clothes. By around 5pm we then began walking to the sites.
I was once again at a hot pace, navigating the city, hoping to see as much as we could before the sunset. Our first destination was the Arc de Triumph, built in 1806 to commemorate Napolean's army it stands at an impressive 164 feet tall. Then I was hoping we could make it to the Sacre-Coeur Basilica to see the sunset over the city, however it was just too far away. So instead we walked along the Avenue of Champs-Elysees, filled with retail stores and pedestrians.We made it to the Ferris Wheel along the Seine River just at sunset and saw the beautiful Eiffel tower in the distance. This was yet another heavenly sight to see the Eiffel Tower by the river at sunset.
For dinner we went to another cafe and I ordered some roasted duck, while Andres ordered another baguette sandwich. Quite frankly the food at the French cafes was hardly satisfying however we did not want to spend 60 euros for a real French cuisine. That evening we rested a bit and I set off once again on my own for a midnight stroll thru Paris (inspired by the movie). I took many photos of the lit up tower and the Seine River. The tower looks so much better at night. Andres went to a night club again, however did not have as fun a time as he did in Brussels.
The next morning we got to sleep in for the first time in several days, however still had to be up and out by 8am to continue exploring. That day we planned to see the Louvre Museum and the Notre Dame cathedral which were both over an hour walk from our hotel. Along the way we stopped at a cafe to get some coffee and very tasty crepes. The Louvre museum was massive and we saw the iconic pyramid in it's square. We then made our way to the cathedral which was extremely impressive inside and outside. The cathedral was built in 1345 and demonstrates some of the most iconic Gothic architecture in history with it's famed flying buttress.
Andres came up with the brilliant idea to take an uber back to the hotel rather than walk back. We stopped at a cafe near the Cathedral to use their WiFi and request the Uber. I got a coffee and Andres was rushed into getting an expensive orange juice. This was due to the waiter suggesting that if we were to use their wifi we should both order a drink. Andres was once again upset with this. Nonetheless the uber picked us up right in front of the cafe and took us back to our hotel room. He was a very friendly man, who gave us water bottles, and talked to us in French the whole trip (he could not speak English).
That afternoon we checked out of our room and spent our last few hours sitting at a bench park near the tower. For lunch we had some baguettes that we bought near the cathedral and shared a bottle of wine that I had bought the night before. This picnic was a great way to save money and just enjoy the beauty of the Eiffel Tower. The weather was perfect once again. This was perhaps my favorite moment during the tirp of which Andres and I had some good relaxing conversation. We then caught the bus back to the airport around 2pm. Our flight left Paris at 5pm and we arrived to Barcelona around 7pm.
The city of Paris was my favorite, filled with so much incredible art and architecture. While the people somewhat fit the snobby stereotype it did not affect my overall attitude towards the city. The food was also something to be desired, yet their bread was the best in Europe. While I feel we saw the 4 biggest landmarks I would love to spend more time exploring the city. I think the ambiance would be ten times more lively in the summer. I hope to visit this city many more times in the future.
Barcelona
Our final destination was in Barcelona which was also the shortest time we had at a destination. We got there around 7pm and this time did not bother searching for a bus ride yet instead just got a taxi. I was able to converse in Spanish with the taxi driver, who gave us some valuable tips for our visit. He told us the taxi drivers were going on strike the next day, which was very helpful since we were planning to take the taxi to the airport. He told us about a bus that would take us directly to the airport. We met our hosts that evening, a friendly Spanish woman who lived with her mom. These were perhaps the most friendly people we had met yet, and reminded me of typical Latin hospitality.
That night Andres and I saw the Sagrada Familia lit up, and we then found a restaurant. I ordered the Spanish staple; paella (which is a seafood variation and rice). We also got some red wine and tapas. The red wine was the best I had had all week, and the tapas were each very tasty. They were appetizers consisting of a variety of meat, bread, and cheese. Andres had considered searching for a club that night, however I convinced him to save his money for his last night in Brussels. We both went to bed quite early before midnight.
The next morning our hosts were kinds enough to offer us coffee and we talked for a bit with them. We got a quick breakfast of juice and croissants at a cafe. We then set out to see the Sagrada Familia. This structure designed by Antoni Gaudi, is so unique, inside and outside. It is a modern colorful design, that began construction in 1882 and is schedule for completion in 2028. It's highest spires stand at a resounding 560 feet tall. Inside the cathedral is a colorful display of intricate artwork and massive pillars. The main hall is filled with tourists and their is only small areas within the church to worship and pray. The site is still under construction and I hope to see it again when it is completed.
We checked out of our hotel by 11am and then began our walk to the town square. Along the way we saw more of Gaudi's architecture such as the Casa Milla and the Casta Batllo. For lunch we found a place in the Placa de Cataluyna that served tapas. I ordered the staple Spanish beer, Estrella, and about 7 tapas (including ones with chorizo, pork, and octopus) which filled me up. Afterwards Andres did some more shopping for clothes and other souvenirs. We bought some ice cream before we boarded the bus back to the airport.
Our visit to Spain was very brief however I can say they were the friendliest people we met during our week in Europe. I can also say the women there were the most pretty. And the food was also extremely tasty, especially the wine and the tapas. I think I would definitely like to return to Spain for a longer trip, including visits to Madrid and Seville.
We left Spain around 6 pm and arrived back at Brussels around 8pm. That night Andres and I had a late Chinese dinner and reflected on our successful adventure in Europe. I went to bed early and he went out clubbing. We got up early the next day to catch the train to the airport and return to the states. It was an incredible experience, and I hope it to be the first of many more Euro Trips to come.
I bought the airplane tickets and planned the trip only a month before actually taking off. Although I did not have the money allocated for this trip, I was not going to let that stop this sudden desire. I knew having Gabriel stationed there was a great opportunity to explore. I was also able to recruit my younger brother Andres to join me on this first ever visit to Europe. He would be the perfect adventuring partner since we were both of similar mindsets; on a budget, physically active, and hungry for adventure. The initial plan was to see as much as we could in a full week. First we would fly into Brussels, then spend the weekend in Berlin with Gabriel. I had planned for us to go a futbol match at the infamous Olympiastadion where Hitler hosted the Olympics. Borussia Dortmund vs Hertha Berlin were playing and I knew it would be an incredible atmosphere. After that weekend we would spend the next 4 days exploring 3 different cities; Rome, Paris, and Barcelona. Unfortunately our flight to Berlin was cancelled due to a worker's strike, and we were unable to watch the soccer game. However the rest of the plan went on without any problems. I was very grateful that we were able to visit 4 countries in 7 days. It was worth every penny and I long for the day to be able to do it again.
Brussels and Bruges
Andres and I arrived to Brussels at around 7am local European time. The 8 hour flight on United Airlines was actually quite a treat with meal service, free wine, and new release movies. When we arrived to the Brussels airport we were quite surprised to see Gabriel waiting for us. He got us a taxi and took us to his hotel room. Once we were able to drop off our bags there was no time to rest. Gabriel had to work and Andres and I were eager to begin exploring the city. I was glad that my Google Maps was still working, despite no longer having roaming service. We thus began to navigate the city in search of the notable sites.
It wasn't long until we located the breath-taking Grand Place plaza, bursting with classic European architecture. The most impressive of these buildings was the Town Hall, standing at 315 feet tall, which was built in 1402. We continued to walk and eventually found the Mannekin Pis statue. This iconic Belgian statue was built in 1618 depicting a young child urinating into a fountain. We then made our way back to the town square and sat down at a cafe for our first food order. I order and Espresso and Andres ordered the soup of the day, Carrot Soup. The weather was perfect and the view was incredible.
Later on we went back to Gabriel's for a while, and then went out for lunch. I told Gabriel we wanted to eat the staple Belgian meal; which was Mussels, Fries, and Beer. The mussels were very good, drenched in a pot of broth. The beer was also very tasty. The fries tasted just like ours do here. (Fries originated in Belgium rather than France). Shortly after we discovered the news that our flight to Berlin was cancelled and we would have to alter our plan. I was a bit discouraged yet wasn't going to let it ruin my trip.We rested for a short while at Gabriel's and then did some more walking later in the evening. Brussels was a booming city with so many walking pedestrians. It was also extremely diverse. While French was the common language everyone there could speak English. For dinner we went to a nice Thai restaurant and had some wine and beers. We later went out to a couple bars and had a few more drinks. We also ordered some Belgian Waffles, which was a very delicious dessert. That night Andres went out clubbing and gave us quite a scare when he did not get back until 9am.
On Saturday Gabriel and I decided to catch an early train to Bruges, an old city about an hour away from Brussels. All I knew of this city was from the Colin Ferrel movie, In Bruges. Andres did not join us since he had been dancing all night and wanted to rest. The town was very medieval, with old architecture and riverways running through it. The main town square was just as impressive as the one in Brussels, with the Belfry bell tower soaring over everything. It was built in 1280 and stands at an impressive 272 feet. Gabriel and I ordered a very tasty beer in this town square with a great view of the architecture.There were many tourists in the town, admiring the old architecture just as we were. We went to a chocolate museum and afterwards got lunch at an indoor cafe. I ordered a salad, sandwich, and a beer. Later that afternoon as we were walking back to the train station we caught a local parade. We saw floats and people dressed in costumes, drinking and dancing. I even noticed many of the children were drinking the local beer, Jupiler.
We got back to Brussels later that evening, and did some more drinking at Gabriels hotel room. For dinner we met Gabriel's boss Gregory who treated us to Greek food. He was an American living in Belgium for the past 20 years and had many good stories and cultural knowledge. Afterwards we went to a couple more bars. Andres went out clubbing again.
On Sunday I was very tired and we didn't really have much of a plan for the day. We decided to go see the Atomium and maybe catch a soccer game in which Anderlecht was playing. Unfortunately we got the wrong stadium, however the Atomium was well worth the trip. This modern wonder was built in 1958 when Brussels hosted the World's Fair. It stands at an impressive 335 feet tall and has become the new iconic landmark of Belgium.We also went to Mini Europe, a park of miniature models depicting the most famous buildings in Europe. For lunch we got hamburgers and fries and sat outside. We later did some more walking around the area, and back near Gabriel's hotel. Gabriel had to leave to Denmark that evening, and I went to bed early in preparation for the next phase of our trip.
Rome
We left Gabriel's hotel very early on Monday morning, to catch the train to the airport. From that point on we were on our own with just one backpack to get us thru 3 countries and 4 days of traveling. Our flight departed Brussels at 8 am and landed in Rome at approx 10 am. After a bit of walking, searching, and asking around we were able to find the direct bus to Vatican City. I was filled with great excitement to see the exteriors of St. Peter's Square and the Castel San Angelo. However we ran into some minor problems with our hotel room. 1st it took us a bit to find it, then they told us it wasn't ready so we had to take a taxi to a different room that they had arranged for us. That room also was not ready yet. Luckily we were able to leave our bags with the front desk and begin exploring the city.We got some lunch at a recommended cafe and both ordered pizza. The pizza was thin crust and very filling. Afterwards we went to see our top priority Vatican City. The area was swarming with tourists, and I had to ask a Swiss Guard where the entrance to the museums were. We were luckily able to bypass the lines since we had bought our tickets in advance. We then explored the endless art within the museum for a couple hours, until we came upon it's grand finale; the Sistine Chapel. Looking up at Michelangelo's most famous paintings was like looking at heaven. It was a very special moment.
Afterwards we bought some souvenirs and Andres bought us some gelatos, the iconic Italian ice cream. We then walked into St. Peter's Square and noticed the line for the Basilica was far too long, so unfortunately we decided to save it for another trip. We returned to the hotel around 3pm and rested for a bit to charge our phones. We then set back out around 5pm on an ambitious drive to see all the sites in Rome before the sunset. I navigated us to the famed landmarks such as the Castel San Angelo, Piazza Navona, Pantheon, Altar of the Fatherland, and the Colosseum. We made it to the Colosseum just as the sun was setting and were lucky to be able to see it during the daytime and lit up at night.I felt very satisfied and rejuvenated to look upon this glorious wonder of the world. We then continued our evening walk along the Tiber River which glimmered in the night. We met my friend Dena, for a nice Italian dinner. I ordered us a bottle of wine and got the ravioli filled with Sea Bass. We truly enjoyed one another's company and had great conversation and laughs the entire time. Dena joined us afterwards for some more walking and even hung out with me afterwards to have some more wine. Andres was a little disappointed that evening since the stores had closed early and he was unable to find a nightclub.
The next morning we woke up early once again to catch the bus to the airport. We were unable to find the bus stop in time, so decided to get a quick breakfast before the next bus would arrive. We found a nice cafe that served coffee and croissants. Andres ordered a tasty chocolate and a custard filled pastry. I was glad we had missed the 1st bus and were able to experience an Italian breakfast. We then caught the next bus and made it to the airport with time to spare. Our flight left Rome at 11am and arrived at Paris at 1pm. I was once again filled with excitement to see this famous city.The City of Rome was just as beautiful as I had expected, filled with such ancient structures. I feel we got to see the main ones however there's still so much more to be seen. The people I thought were a bit on the shady side, somewhat hard to trust. Yet the food was the best we had all week (from their gelatos, croissants, pizza, pasta, ravioli, etc). I would like to spend a full week in Italy someday returning to Rome and also visiting Florence, Venice, and Milan for some time.
Paris
Just as we had done in Italy, we found a direct bus into the city center, this one was known as Le Bus Direct. I'll never forget how quiet it was on that bus ride into the city and my first sighting of the Eiffel Tower from afar. The bus dropped us off right in front of our hotel room, which was only 100 meters away from the Eiffel Tower. I was filled with emotion to finally be looking upon this incredible monument of which I had only seen in pictures and video. It was a true sight to behold, standing tall at an incredible 906 feet. (It was the tallest standing structure in the world for over 30 years.)There was so much to see looking upon this architectural behemoth. At first I noticed how rusty it was which I suppose made sense considering it's age. I also noticed the names written upon the tower which commemorate the architects. There is also a restaurant within the tower, and a series of stair lifts that take people to the top. As we looked upon the tower with great wonder, it did not take long for beggars to bother us. Andres foolishly bought into one of the beggar's stories and gave her 5 euros which he would later come to regret. I told him it was a learning experience and he could not always be so nice.
For lunch we went to a cafe near our hotel room, where I made contact with our host. We both ordered baguettes and juice. After lunch we went to our room, which was a very simple tiny room up 7 flights of stairs, however it's location made up for it. We rested for a bit and let our phones charge, then I had to appease Andres and begin the day with some shopping. This was the last thing I wanted to do in Paris, but I wanted to compromise with him. So we found a mall and he found some affordable stores where he was able to buy some stylish clothes. By around 5pm we then began walking to the sites.I was once again at a hot pace, navigating the city, hoping to see as much as we could before the sunset. Our first destination was the Arc de Triumph, built in 1806 to commemorate Napolean's army it stands at an impressive 164 feet tall. Then I was hoping we could make it to the Sacre-Coeur Basilica to see the sunset over the city, however it was just too far away. So instead we walked along the Avenue of Champs-Elysees, filled with retail stores and pedestrians.We made it to the Ferris Wheel along the Seine River just at sunset and saw the beautiful Eiffel tower in the distance. This was yet another heavenly sight to see the Eiffel Tower by the river at sunset.
For dinner we went to another cafe and I ordered some roasted duck, while Andres ordered another baguette sandwich. Quite frankly the food at the French cafes was hardly satisfying however we did not want to spend 60 euros for a real French cuisine. That evening we rested a bit and I set off once again on my own for a midnight stroll thru Paris (inspired by the movie). I took many photos of the lit up tower and the Seine River. The tower looks so much better at night. Andres went to a night club again, however did not have as fun a time as he did in Brussels.The next morning we got to sleep in for the first time in several days, however still had to be up and out by 8am to continue exploring. That day we planned to see the Louvre Museum and the Notre Dame cathedral which were both over an hour walk from our hotel. Along the way we stopped at a cafe to get some coffee and very tasty crepes. The Louvre museum was massive and we saw the iconic pyramid in it's square. We then made our way to the cathedral which was extremely impressive inside and outside. The cathedral was built in 1345 and demonstrates some of the most iconic Gothic architecture in history with it's famed flying buttress.
Andres came up with the brilliant idea to take an uber back to the hotel rather than walk back. We stopped at a cafe near the Cathedral to use their WiFi and request the Uber. I got a coffee and Andres was rushed into getting an expensive orange juice. This was due to the waiter suggesting that if we were to use their wifi we should both order a drink. Andres was once again upset with this. Nonetheless the uber picked us up right in front of the cafe and took us back to our hotel room. He was a very friendly man, who gave us water bottles, and talked to us in French the whole trip (he could not speak English).
That afternoon we checked out of our room and spent our last few hours sitting at a bench park near the tower. For lunch we had some baguettes that we bought near the cathedral and shared a bottle of wine that I had bought the night before. This picnic was a great way to save money and just enjoy the beauty of the Eiffel Tower. The weather was perfect once again. This was perhaps my favorite moment during the tirp of which Andres and I had some good relaxing conversation. We then caught the bus back to the airport around 2pm. Our flight left Paris at 5pm and we arrived to Barcelona around 7pm.The city of Paris was my favorite, filled with so much incredible art and architecture. While the people somewhat fit the snobby stereotype it did not affect my overall attitude towards the city. The food was also something to be desired, yet their bread was the best in Europe. While I feel we saw the 4 biggest landmarks I would love to spend more time exploring the city. I think the ambiance would be ten times more lively in the summer. I hope to visit this city many more times in the future.
Barcelona
Our final destination was in Barcelona which was also the shortest time we had at a destination. We got there around 7pm and this time did not bother searching for a bus ride yet instead just got a taxi. I was able to converse in Spanish with the taxi driver, who gave us some valuable tips for our visit. He told us the taxi drivers were going on strike the next day, which was very helpful since we were planning to take the taxi to the airport. He told us about a bus that would take us directly to the airport. We met our hosts that evening, a friendly Spanish woman who lived with her mom. These were perhaps the most friendly people we had met yet, and reminded me of typical Latin hospitality.That night Andres and I saw the Sagrada Familia lit up, and we then found a restaurant. I ordered the Spanish staple; paella (which is a seafood variation and rice). We also got some red wine and tapas. The red wine was the best I had had all week, and the tapas were each very tasty. They were appetizers consisting of a variety of meat, bread, and cheese. Andres had considered searching for a club that night, however I convinced him to save his money for his last night in Brussels. We both went to bed quite early before midnight.
The next morning our hosts were kinds enough to offer us coffee and we talked for a bit with them. We got a quick breakfast of juice and croissants at a cafe. We then set out to see the Sagrada Familia. This structure designed by Antoni Gaudi, is so unique, inside and outside. It is a modern colorful design, that began construction in 1882 and is schedule for completion in 2028. It's highest spires stand at a resounding 560 feet tall. Inside the cathedral is a colorful display of intricate artwork and massive pillars. The main hall is filled with tourists and their is only small areas within the church to worship and pray. The site is still under construction and I hope to see it again when it is completed.We checked out of our hotel by 11am and then began our walk to the town square. Along the way we saw more of Gaudi's architecture such as the Casa Milla and the Casta Batllo. For lunch we found a place in the Placa de Cataluyna that served tapas. I ordered the staple Spanish beer, Estrella, and about 7 tapas (including ones with chorizo, pork, and octopus) which filled me up. Afterwards Andres did some more shopping for clothes and other souvenirs. We bought some ice cream before we boarded the bus back to the airport.
Our visit to Spain was very brief however I can say they were the friendliest people we met during our week in Europe. I can also say the women there were the most pretty. And the food was also extremely tasty, especially the wine and the tapas. I think I would definitely like to return to Spain for a longer trip, including visits to Madrid and Seville.We left Spain around 6 pm and arrived back at Brussels around 8pm. That night Andres and I had a late Chinese dinner and reflected on our successful adventure in Europe. I went to bed early and he went out clubbing. We got up early the next day to catch the train to the airport and return to the states. It was an incredible experience, and I hope it to be the first of many more Euro Trips to come.
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