Barcelona... friendly!

When you have a bartender offering shots to you and another traveller you´ve just met (Franca from Milano, head chef in a restaurant just near Harrods in London, on a 13 day holiday here), you know you´ve got a winner of a pub. The bartender of the Atame Bar last night goes down as being the friendliest bartender I´ve encountered on this trip. He also gave us free passes to two nightclubs (saving me about $40)... I checked out one last night and will check out the other tonight. There ARE nice bartenders after all! I´m also being taken aback by how friendly Barcelona is. I´m loving this city so far, for it has so much to offer. It is relatively cheap compared to the other European cities I´ve been to, there are things to do, as well as excellent nightlife. I´m feeling very tired at the moment, so will keep touring to a minimum.

A cute penguin.

I basically slept today, for I really needed it. The train trip has exhausted me... I also wanted to be ready for the Spanish nightlife. The bars were basically empty till midnight, the clubs empty till 2am, and I was pretty much over it by 4am when the nightclub was pumping. I was a little under the influence last night so can´t really remember it (the spanish beer goes down well). But my hostel is in a great location, only 15 minutes from the entertainment area. There were hundreds of people on the main street, La Rambla, so felt safe everywhere I went. I have, however, read that muggings are on the increase here so try to do anything to stick to a crowd.

A poisonous fish.

The hostel I´m staying at is adequate, but with 8 beds in the dorm, it´s very cramped. Shared the room with 3 Dutch guys, 2 Chillean girls and 2 Swedish girls last night... didn´t really get to meet the girls until this morning when I awoke and found them to be taking photos of me in all my glory. Go figure! The cost is 21 euro a night ($35), which includes breakfast which I failed to get up for today. Once the other people checked out by 11, I had the room to myself so slept till early afternoon. The hostel, at the moment, doesn´t have the good feel of other hostels I´ve been to. Tonight, I´ll be sharing with a family including one boy who is about 10 which I find surprising... I´m sure the family could of found a 5 bed room for the equilavent of 100 euro that they are paying tonight. They´re not friendly either... weren´t interested in conversing with me. Oh well, it wouldn´t be any fun if it was all good!

Bit of Australiana at the Barcelona Aquarium

This afternoon, I visited Barcelona´s cathedral which I found to be an exhillerating experience, especially sitting and relaxing for 1 hour whilst listening to an 30 strong adult choir sing hymns etc. I love opportunities like that that allow me to be immersed in the culture whilst in beautiful surroundings.

Barcelona is everything I expect... the architecture, mediterranean climate, environment etc. Just hope I can continue to live up to the hectic pace of this tourist heaven. Will try to get out of Barcelona... have received recommendations as to where to go for the sun and water but the Spanish names make it hard to remember!

Feeding time at the aquarium.

Lots of Fishes at the Barcelona Aquarium

Shark passing by whilst feeding time is on.