Catalonia

Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona just isn’t any other city in Spain; it is the second largest and the capital of Catalonia, an autonomous community.  Meaning that it is located in a self-governing community.  And believe it or not, the city was actually originally founded as a Roman City in the Middle Ages before it became known as the County of Barcelona. 

Originally founded in the 3^rd century B.C.by Barca who was said to have rebuilt the city after the Punic War, however the Romans also laid claim to the city saying that it was converted to a military town in 15 BC.  This could be why the city is so diverse with a mix of new and old buildings. 

And the history just kept getting richer as the time past.  In 1986, Spain joined the European Union with their bid for the 1992 Summer Olympic Games which was granted. 

We were lucky enough to perform on the Olympic grounds!  It has been amazing over the course of just this year alone, how many cities we have gotten to perform in that have hosted the Olympic Games.  It makes me really miss competing for skating and cross-country and track.

There is just something about being in face to face with a track that the once-great athletes put all their blood, sweat, and tears to the test on.  As I gazed through the gate at the nine blue track lanes I could imagine the whistle blowing, the gun sounding, the crowd roaring, and the athletes zooming past using every last ounce of energy they have to pull past their opponent.  I can only imagine what it would be like to compete on such a stage as the Olympics. 

For now, I will settle for at least getting to see the venues and cities that they took place in.  So far, I have been to Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.; Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.A; Vancouver, Canada; London, England; and now Barcelona, Spain.  There may be a few more, but for now that’s all I can recall. 

Taking a step back though and waking up from all the dreaming, there were other sights ahead that were waiting. 

Spain has been absolutely beautiful and has shown its true colors.  The weather has been amazing with temperatures in the upper 60s and low 70s.  The sun has been shining every day and made the morning wake up all the more worth it as the cool breeze and warm sunshine shown through the curtains out onto the balcony.

It was easy to wake up and get an early start to the day, which was necessary for all the sights there were to see.  Just to name a few here are some of the main ones:  

La Sagrada Familia

Monumental Bullring of Barcelona

Arc de Triomf

Parc de la Ciutadella

Port Olimpic

Platja de la Nova Icaria

Placa de Cataluyna

Parc de Mountjuic

Complex Esportiu Pau Negre Parc de Migdia

Estadi Olimpic

Palau Sant Jordi

And who could ever forget to stop by and see Camp Nu while you are in Barcelona where one of the most successful and famous futbol (soccer) clubs lays claim to their home pitch. 

All in all, Spain has been amazing and I am sad to leave, but one day I hope to return.  Until then, it was time for a little vacation in another one of my must-see places, Italy; before arriving at the final destination Lisbon, Portugal for the work week.