So the manager finally got there and after listening to everyone's complaints, finally got to me. She said I wouldn't be able to check in until around 2 or perhaps later, so I went to explore the city first. She gave me a map and suggested several places to visit, highlighting them on the map and insisting I visit Parc Güell probably first since it was so far away. Made sense to me, so I hopped on the metro and took it most of the way to where I needed to be. Unfortunately, the nearest metro to the park is still a good 20 minutes away on foot, so I had to walk the rest of the way. Wasn't too bad of a walk though, that is until I got lost. I turned onto the wrong street and hiked up this huge hill, only to realize once I got to the top that it didn't connect over to the Parc, and I would have to trek back down to turn up a different street and a smaller hill. Oy. I thought about saying forget it, but I'd already taken the metro (more expensive in Barcelona than Madrid), and I wanted to see the freakin Parc, even if I had no idea who Gaudi was. So, I trekked on and made it to the park. It was really pretty, just as promised. Had a bunch of stairs leading up to this giant area (sorta like a building, but it didn't really have any walls to speak of) full of columns and pretty designs on the ceiling. I rested there a bit before realizing I had to go back down all those stairs, which was way harder than going up. Sigh. Got a bunch of pretty pictures though! Once I got back to the main street, I took a bus back to the metro.
Next stop, La Sagrada Familia! It was really impressive looking, despite still being under construction. I wonder if it holds the world record for the building with the longest construction time. It's not even expected to be finished until like 2030! As I was looking around the outside and trying to figure out how to get in, I saw a bunch of people standing in line. Figuring it was probably to get in but wanting to see the entrance, I followed the line....about halfway around the church! On top of that, it was 12,50 E to get in and I really didn't feel like waiting all that time to spend $20, so I just took a bunch of pictures. Will have to come back and see the inside after it's all finished! Explored a little park across from the church with the most pathetic pond ever. Was kinda cute in its patheticness though!
So, after walking around for several hours, I went back to the hostel to see if I could check in and siesta...turns out they still weren't ready for me :( Luckily they had a little lounge with a couch, so I totally crashed there for a few hours. When I woke up, I finally checked in and saw my room--was nice enough. I didn't get a top bunk but after sleeping there (they're super creaky), I wasn't upset. After I was all checked in, I left my stuff in my locker (which they'd actually given me as soon as I left the first time before I even paid for my room so I could go explore...I guess it pays to be the only one not complaining and being impatient!) and went out to find the Dow Jones Bar.
Luckily, the hostel was really close to the Passieg de Gracia (I chose well :D), and I was able to walk along it for quite a ways. It was pretty, full of people and shops everywhere. I stopped at a Subway for dinner (don't judge me!) then set off for the bar which I knew was only a few blocks from the Passieg. I found it no problem, and promptly took a bunch of pictures. Right after I sat down to consider ordering a drink, a group of like 30 obnoxious Americans who'd obviously already stopped at another bar came in. That was an interesting hour, mostly listening to them complain about not being served fast enough. It was interesting to see the bar tenders handle it though, as they were obviously used to obnoxious Americans and didn't take any crap. They actually refused to serve one guy who came in who had apparently not acted appropriately on a prior visit. Finally they all left and I ordered my Eristoff Black and Sprite (not on the stock market as far as I could tell :/). I enjoyed my drink in peace then left to walk home, enjoying the Passieg a second time. No pictures though because my camera batteries died (regular ones totally suck, I'm on my last set). Was a nice walk though.
Sunday on my way to the bus station, I stumbled upon a giant motorcycle parade. I think it was some sort of festival for motorcycles, and I saw flags from a bunch of different countries. It was pretty neat to see all the different kinds of motorcycles too. Apparently it is mandatory to either rev your engine or honk, so it was pretty loud too. Made it to my bus no problems after that though! Was a long ride and couldn't sleep the whole time, so lots of thinkin' time. Was nice, actually.
Made it to Madrid okay, and then was totally paranoid about missing my bus back to Segovia, because it was the last one of the night. Got there reasonably and found my gate, but then realized I was hungry and only had about 20 minutes until I had to leave. So I raced out of the station to the mall that was like 10 yards away and proceeded to look for something quick. Unfortunately, both Burger King and McDonald's had really long lines. Fortunately, some chinese buffet place offered to go stuff, so I got a box of amazingly delicious fried rice (without soy sauce, curiously. I'm dying to know how they seasoned it) for only 2E! Then I raced back and ate really quickly (because our art prof had said you're not supposed to eat on the bus in Spain) and got my drink and was all ready to go....and then the bus was like 15 minutes late. Sigh. Made back to Segovia all safe and sound though! Am still all tired, but it's good to be back. The heat in Barcelona is much more like Indiana (though I still think not quite as bad), and I'm enjoying the humidity-less heat of Segovia today :D
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