Spain, I love you!

So when I went to Italy I didn´t think that there was a place in Europe that I would like better! I was mistaken. I arrived in Barcelona on May 28 and fell in love with the city. I arrived with Sarah from Australia and Sylvia from Canada, and no place to stay due to the difficulty of finding a couchsurfing host here. We ended up staying in a hostel for our first night and I called a girl from CSing who had given me her number even though she was unable to host us. These two things ended up being some of the best things that could have possibly happened to me. Through the hostel we learned of a free walking tour, where we learned of a Spanish cooking class, and at both places we met a ton of fun and interesting travellers. Through Ana, the girl from CSing, we found our host for the remainder of our time in Barcelona, and we found a great friend.

Me, Ana, Sarah, and Sylvia eating our last meal together in Barcelona

Ana was truly amazing. A fiesty Spanish chica who showed us the city, introduced us to her friends, and also introduced us to Acroyoga. It combines acrobatics with yoga and massage and it is amazing! We did acroyoga everywhere - in her house, in the park, in front of the Magic fountain, and in the acroyoga class.

I fell so much in love with Barcelona that I extended my stay there by a day. It was definitely worth it; everything about the city is beautiful! Gaudí is the architect who has helped to shape and define the city through his magnificent parks, apartment buildings, and churches. Everyone that we met on the street was friendly and smiling. The beach wasn't great, but we nonetheless had some great times on the beach. The food was cheap and delicious. But alas, all good things must come to an end and so I left Barcelona and went to Tarragona.

On top of Gaudí's La Pedreras looking out on to La Sagrada Familia

Tarragona is a little city about 1 hour outside of Barcelona. It is famous for its beaches and Roman ruins. It was a great place and Sylvia and I enjoyed hours at the beach and walking through the quaint little streets. We parted ways with Sarah here as she had to go back to Copenhagen to finish exams.

The beach in Tarragona

After two days in Tarragona we took a night train to Granada. Originally we were planning on going to Valencia, but all Spanards and travellers that we met heavily recommended Granada above Valencia and so we found ourselves a host there and went. I am not disappointed that we made that decision. The city was beautiful!! It was over 40 degrees so I mainly stayed in the shade and ate lots of ice cream and smoothies. We went and saw La Alhambra, a famous Arabic palace. I have never seen anything like it! The walls were all carved with beautiful, intricate designs; it was so different from any of the Northern European palaces that I have ever seen.

Sylvia and I with Tom, our host in Madrid who we met in Granada, in front of La Alhambra

After three days in Granada Sylvia and I took the bus to Madrid which is where we have been for the past several days. Tomorrow we will be going to Morocco which is very exciting. I was able to get a little taste of what to expect in Morocco while in Granada and I know that I am going to love it! Will update when back in Copenhagen!!