From lil' Rhodie to Seville Spain: Barcelona & the Family

I truly feel blessed. I've never had such amazing luck before... the opportunity to go to Spain was something I knew I couldn't turn down but I never expected to see as much as I have. The experience thus far has been priceless, and I can't thank my family, and everyone involved enough for making this possible. last week, I got the opportunity to fly to Barcelona, which is an hour away by plane, where I met up with my family after a solid 2 months of separation.

Both of my families met up in an Italian restaurant, and they talked non stop well into midnight, it felt so good to be reunited with them again. My brother and I even sort of got along.. it was a rare occurrence... shows what 2 months of not being annoyed by your brother can do to you.
For the next 3 days, we explored the wonderful city of Barcelona, using nothing but our feet and La Metro to get around...

First, we set off to explore the Segrada Familia, a super huge miraculously elaborate cathedral designed by Gaudi... Even well after his death the Cathedral is still under construction, and it probably won't be finished in my lifetime.. but let me tell you, this cathedral was magnificent.

This was the ceiling, it reminded me of a kaleidoscopic.. it was meant to imitate a forest canopy, the pillars imitate palm trees, and the light resembles the sun peeping through the thicket of leaves.

All right so the order is all messed up, but after the 3 days in Barcelona we flew back to Seville, where I showed my family around the city.

This is at the Alcazar, which I already posted a ton of pictures of...

These fish were so wierd... the gathered around where we were standing and started gulping the air, I'm pretty sure this was their "begging" face. Dogs are way cuter.

...and fast forward to a night strolling around Seville with both of my families at a tapa bar.

Look! We aren't trying to push each other into the water!

this is the Jamon (ham), which is practically a religion here... the pigs are raised on open fields eating a diet of acorns and running free, then they're killed, soaked in salt water, then hung to dry for 2 years before being carefully shaved and served for hungry Spaniards to enjoy.

The Cathedral at night.. it's the 3rd largest in the world... if you count the tower (la Giralda) it would be the first, but it was built by the Arabs, so it doesn't count...

The Apartment we stayed in!

The streets were very narrow...

Mom trying on the hair clips for La Ferria

The fans..

Okay, back to the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. Please, just admire the attractiveness of my brother.

La Metro

It wouldn't be right without another random parade..

The Paella we had for lunch

The first time I saw the Mediterranean Sea

soaking up the sun

Some guy juggling

Who needs a car when you have this guy?

Okay, just look at how classy this McDonald's is. Come on America...

Another building built by Gaudi

It was meant to resemble bones and skulls...

Sevi, me, Paco (my host dad) and Laura

and now it's day 2 in barcelona and we are walking, or climbing/crawling up a huge hill to Gaudi Park

Aww, we kinda look normal..

Meant to imitate waves

When it rains, jets of water poor from the lion's mouth.

Inspired by the gingerbread houses in Hansel and Gretel

Yet another fabulous example of Sevi's undeniable good looks.

A bit easier on the the eyes... a castle in the distance

My future care.

I liked the contrast in the colors.

You guessed it, another Gaudi building.

A typical tapa menu

A cool sculpture.

That Sevi had to climb of course...

The old city...

The Cathedral of Barcelona

In the cathedral, there are several alters, and to honor them, you light a candle... but this is the 21st century, so instead thy use LED candles, just pop in a few Euros, and your candle lights up.