Me encanta la Barca

Estoy enamorada de Barcelona! I really just love this city. Barca is a beach city, with plenty of watersports, running, biking and laying on the playa. Its a city of color--inspired by Gaudi, the buildings are bright, decorated with tile work--and everyone wears bright, breezy, beachy clothing. Ive been to Barca before and knew that it was my favorite city in Europe, but had the chance to realize it again during these travels. Hosted by friends, we had the opportunity to spend plenty of time with a community of friends that Moi has in Barcelona.  Some highlights:

• Renting bikes and cruising along the beach boardwalk, past sunbathers and kite sailors and little cafes along the shore.
• Taking a guided audiotour through La Pedrera, one of the most famous buildings by Antonio Gaudi. His creative fingerprints are all over Barcelona--from the decorated sidewalk tiles to the architecture of the buildings. All of his designs are inspired by nature--the twists of a seashell, the pattern created by the twigs of a seafan, the kernals on a cob of corn--and rely upon texture, color and organic shapes. La Pedrera has an amazing roof terrace, with twisting towers and curved edges. Contrasting with the bright blue Catalan sky, the white rooftop is an incredible piece of artwork.
• Eating paella with fresh seafood and saffron rice, paired with a delicious wine. Carumba!
• Strolling through the narrow streets of the Gothic quarter, popping into small stores that sell homemade items or small cups of cafe cortado.
• Exploring the bustle of the outdoor market, where we were (sadly) fooled by a vendor who gave us the "tourist price" for a coconut-strawberry smoothie and a handful of cashews.