As the taxi pulled into the airport parking, I could hardly contain the huge grin that had been brewing the whole car journey, expanding from a smirk to a full-blown smile. My first solo trip has been going smoothly so far. I had made it through security and to my gate with adequate time to do some quick reading before my flight. Where to go to eat? What will I see? And how will I get the most out of my trip, were all questions that circled through my mind. However, these thoughts were interrupted by the boarding announcement. Without hesitation, I paced toward the gate agent, proudly presented my passport, entered the plain and placed my ‘Do not disturb’ mask over my eyes like a swimmer preparing to dive into a pool, ready to plunge into my new adventure.
Arriving in Barcelona
Barcelona airport was unlike anything I'd ever seen before, though I must admit I’ve only been to a handful of small European airports, a vast building bustling with eager holidaymakers, business people and even locals all ready to leave the airport and explore all of what this magnificent city has to offer. It only being 9 oclock, I kicked the day into gear with a coffee from an airport cafe and jumped into a taxi to the main city of Barcelona. On the plain I had perfected the perfect itinerary for the day to the best of my ability using a mixture of TikTok videos and travel guides to produce the perfect plan to make the most of my day, with the first stop being the Sagrada Familia.
The morning
Wow. That's the first thought that sprang into my head when seeing the Sagrada Familia. It may sound cliché, but I was in awe. Even to look at its turrets, I had to extend my neck all the way backwards. The detail was endless on the exterior with its intricately carved face boasting religious scenes and designs that you would struggle to believe were carved out of stone. I could stare at it for days and still find new details that I've never seen before. Refusing to take my eyes off this magnificent structure yet, I found a cafe nearby with a great view. As my iport coffee started to wear off and my stomach started to rumble, I decided it was time to try a local dish, piella, and watch as the afternoon rolled in.
The afternoon
After my delicious local dish, I decided it was time to start adventuring. Firstly, I wandered around the local shops, picking up a few personalised gifts for some friends and family, before heading to an unusual local flea market (thank you, TikTok). The flea market was just as you expect a flea market would be, but with one unique feature, its reflective roof. There was such a variety of items to buy, from cameras to vintage clothing, and even some fish.
After a few hours of browsing, I decided it was time to walk through the city to its famous beach for a bit of relaxation and vitamin D before heading to my flight, tanned and content, and definitely planning to visit this wonderful city again.
