HOLA, BARCELONA!
The Spanish city is one of the most visited
destinations in the world. Besides the many beaches, it is the art and
nightlife that lures people to this cultural hub
If you have read Spanish
writer Carlos Ruiz Zafón’s bestseller, The Shadow of the Wind, you have
experienced Barcelona, Spain, in one of best ways possible. The atmospheric
novel leads the readers through the bylanes of the Catalan city, creating an
exciting premise for your visit to Barcelona.
CELEBRATE
GAUDÍ
The spires of Sagrada
Familia, a pet project of Catalonia’s most celebrated architect Antoni Gaudí,
are visible from several miles away. It is only upon reaching the famous
incomplete church though, that you notice the snaking queue of tourists waiting
to buy tickets to enter the monument. Upon asking around for a better time to
visit, a kind local lady wondered aloud about why people were willing to spend
hours on the Sagrada Familia, when the rest of the city, too, bore vestiges of
Gaudí’s genius. And off she sent me on a Gaudí tour, which involved gazing up
at many buildings across Barcelona, and ended up with a local band’s gig inside
the grand Park Güell. Casa Batlló, which can also be toured from the inside, is
a fascinating structure as well, born out of Gaudí’s distinct and iconic style
of twists and colour.
For a refreshing swim and
a cool can of beer, head for the Mediterranean waters. Barcelona has a long
beachfront, and on a summer day, it may seem like half of city has abandoned
work and camped out at the beach.
ART
ATTACK
Barcelona is a city of
art. That’s not just due to the Museu Picasso, or any of the several art
installations across the city. A window grill in a common house will surprise
you, as will the pavement pavers. The modern designs of new buildings,
juxtaposed with the traditional ornate street lamps, make for fascinating
photographs. But to get a glimpse of the art form that is quintessentially
European — illegal wall graffiti — catch a metro train to Barri Gòtic, the
Gothic Quarter. It took me a while to notice that the artists had taken utmost
care and sprayed paint only over wooden doors and walls. The stony face of the
structures was left untouched. That is because the stone facades, unlike the
wooden ones, were centuriesold, and irreplaceable. Evidently, these were some
pretty patriotic artists who spared a thought to preserve their city’s history.
WALK
AROUND
Barri Gòtic is part of
the old town, and can be a confusing labyrinth of narrow streets. The tiny
boutique shops here are a great way to dodge the afternoon sun, and you can
score decent knick-knacks for cheap. Reserve at least a couple of evenings to
enjoy spicy jugs of sangria at one of the many tables that occupy either sides
of the most popular pedestrian street, La Rambla. Spend half an evening at Las
Arena, a former bullfighting ring that was converted into a shopping mall. The
rooftop viewing platform in the mall provides good views of the city and houses
a restaurant. Take a stroll to the famous Montjuïc singing fountain can be a
good post-dinner activity.
Barcelona is the perfect
city to go club-hopping. The best — and also the most expensive — clubs are the
beach-facing ones in La Barceloneta, a city neighbourhood. Latest chartbusters
and potent cocktails promise to make partying nights unforgettable.
Pickpockets
love Barcelona; keep a close eye on your belongings. If you are lost in the
non-touristy parts of the city, look around for general stores. Most owners of
such local shops are Bangladeshis, Indians or Pakistanis, and love to get an
opportunity to converse in Hindi. Rest assured you will receive detailed
directions. Several airlines fly to Barcelona with a stopover in the Middle
East or other European cities, where you can convert rupees to euros.
·
Sonali Shah
HT 23OCT16
No comments:
Post a Comment