¡Bienvenidos a Barcelona! (Pt. 4)
![The Arc de Triomf (Catalan pronunciation: [ˈaɾk də tɾiˈomf]) is a memorial arch in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6493d4_bb154d82d2a040feb7dfd277cb54a194~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_490,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30/6493d4_bb154d82d2a040feb7dfd277cb54a194~mv2.jpeg)
![The Arc de Triomf (Catalan pronunciation: [ˈaɾk də tɾiˈomf]) is a memorial arch in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6493d4_bb154d82d2a040feb7dfd277cb54a194~mv2.jpeg/v1/fill/w_980,h_500,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90/6493d4_bb154d82d2a040feb7dfd277cb54a194~mv2.jpeg)
By Ashonté S. Lyles
Last time in “¡Hola Barcelona! Tapas, Sangría, Paella – Oh My!” Our crew tackled flight dramas, Dad and Kimiyo had a marathon travel day, and Atlanta delays got us. TSA Precheck and free parking for vets smoothed the way. The crew arrived in Barcelona, checked in at the Hilton Diagonal Mar, then had tapas overload, and a tour of the surreal department store with a gourmet food club in the basement, El Corte Inglés. Dad and Kimiyo's hotel hiccup got sorted – rooms galore. Nightcaps at Cañas y Tapas in the Diagonal Mar Centre, terrace vibes, and a playground scene to cap the day.
Our first full day in Barcelona began with breakfast in Hilton’s Diagonal Mar renowned executive lounge, a roof-top dining area, featuring panoramic views of the city from the Mediterranean Sea to the Montserrat mountain range. Any picture taken from the lounge’s outdoor seating would feature landmarks like the egg-shaped Agbar Tower and the Torre de les Aigües del Besòs or Besos Water Tower. The lounge’s food selection was delicious with assorted pastries, eggs done multiple ways, assorted breakfast meats, cheeses, fresh fruit and fruit juices, and a wonderful coffee bar. In the evening they also have a happy hour with drinks and music. As Hilton Honors members we were able to upgrade our room and gain access to this exclusive perk. Dad and Kimiyo had breakfast in the ground-floor dining room, also a five-star experience.
Know Before You GEAUX: 6 Perks of Hotel Loyalty Programs
Exclusive Discounts:
Score special rates and discounts as a loyalty program member.
Flexibility Matters:
Enjoy priority check-in and late check-out options for travel flexibility.
Points Galore:
Accumulate points with each stay for free nights, upgrades, and premium perks.
Partners in Crime:
Earn points beyond the hotel – think airlines, rental cars, and dining spots.
Personalized Perks:
Get treated like a VIP with personalized services that make each stay memorable.
Loyalty Rewarded:
Feel the love from your favorite hotel brand with recognition and appreciation.
After the amazing views, delicious cuisine, and great service we were ready to meet up with my parents and hit the streets of Barça.
The Navigator and The Pathfinder
Barcelona offers a variety of transportation options. Taxis and Uber provide direct routes but can be expensive, limiting spontaneous stops. On the other hand, the Tram, a fast-moving streetcar, allows for flexible travel with numerous stops across the city. Enjoy scenic views and the chance to explore, all while interacting with interesting fellow passengers. The Metro, along with Trams and Buses, provides ample stops for mingling with locals, albeit less scenic.
Barcelona's streets and sidewalks are bustling with various wheeled commuters, so exercise caution when walking on sidewalks or crossing streets. From mopeds to electric scooters, bicycles, and even hoverboards, the city is teeming with diverse modes of transport. Be vigilant, especially if unfamiliar with the signage common in Western European cities. I strongly discourage renting motorized vehicles without prior experience, as safety is paramount. Instead, opt for a ride and familiarize yourself with pedestrian signage. Learn from the cautionary tale of native son and famed architect Antoni Gaudí, who tragically couldn't complete his masterpiece, La Sagrada Familia Cathedral, and died due to injuries sustained in a harrowing tram collision. Check out this Wagoners Abroad article written by Americans living in Spain about signage and driving in Spain: Driving in Spain
Marlon is the Navigator. Throughout his life, he has found himself navigating cities and leading the way for whoever was with him, from military buddies to me, this trip was no different. Kimiyo later in this trip became known to us as the Pathfinder, cutting through crowds from Spain to Italy, finding her way to the front of any line or attraction, then waving for us to join, and she’s fast too! In our travels together, people all over give Kimiyo the right-of-way, it’s like Asian girl magic. With the Navigator and Pathfinder leading the way we were off to the Metro heading to La Rambla.
The whole way from the Hilton to La Rambla, Kimiyo was amazed at how Marlon knew exactly where he was going. He had almost perfect recall from our previous trip to Barcelona in 2016. She just kept saying “Wait, how do you know where to go?” and we all just laughed. He was stationed in Germany for 2 years and traveled to other European cities extensively, he noted to Kimiyo that many of these cities are laid out the same way. We recommend using Google Maps to “walk” around before you explore any city to help you get the lay of the land.
Sights, Sounds, and Smells of The Metro
People of all ages, ethnic backgrounds, nationalities, locals, and visitors alike populate the Metro. Tourists with suitcases, along with artists and street performers, provide entertainment. There was no shortage of various smells on the Metro too. Barcelona is a city alive, and people walk everywhere. Individuals from different countries often have distinct preferences, choosing to maintain their natural body odor over using the chemical-laden lotions and potions many Americans favor.
Throughout our stay in Barcelona, both before setting sail and the four days following the cruise, we encountered various scenarios. For instance, there were two hungry and frustrated women, originally from Nigeria but living in the UK, one casually enjoying Chinese noodles and neglecting to assist the other struggling with her heavy suitcase. They navigated the Metro's tight halls and stairs leading to other Metro lines. As the frustrated woman rushed past our crew, she exclaimed, “At least in London, men offer to help a lady with her bag, damn!” She turned to cut her eyes at Marlon. I chuckled to myself, thinking, “This is not London, and we are not British. Good luck!”
La La La La Rambla
Ready to embark on our exploration of some of Barcelona's attractions, we hopped off the Metro to immerse ourselves in the vibrant urban paradise. Our first stop was the iconic La Rambla, trees arching to meet each other overhead, this most famous street divides the districts of the Gothic Quarter and the El Raval area, essentially dividing history from modernity.
Ah, if those streets could speak, oh what centuries-old tales they would they tell? We wound our way through the narrow medieval streets of the Gothic Quarter and looked for the Barcelona Cathedral, a masterpiece of Catalan Gothic architecture, thinking we would find it by memory. We did not know that with a couple of right turns, we would have been standing directly in front of it, just one block over from where we were at the Palau De La Generalitat where the Catalan President’s offices reside and the Plaça de Sant Jaume or Saint James Square, a square with major political and historical importance. We did see the Santa Maria del Pi or Blessed Lady of the Pine Tree, a smallish Romanesque church – a medieval European architectural style that was predominant in the 11th and 12th centuries. This Santa Maria opened its doors in 1453 and was built nearly a century before.
Know Before You GEAUX
If you plan to visit any of Barcelona’s iconic cathedrals, there is a dress code, be sure you dress appropriately, and bring a scarf or shawl to cover your knees and shoulders. On our last visit, I did not think about this and was not allowed entry into the Barcelona Cathedral. There are always nearby vendors with just what you need in case you forget.
The eclectic El Raval area, known for its hippy-chic atmosphere, is filled with artisans, trendy retailers, and every kind of food you could desire, especially tapas and paella. We continued and came up on La Boqueria Market, a place we somehow missed during our previous visit. The market is a sensory overload in the best way, featuring hundreds of booths with a rainbow of fresh produce, seafood, baked goods, and Spain’s famed aged ham or hamón. The market was exceedingly crowded with locals and tourists reminiscent of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Know Before You GEAUX
Interestingly, our visit in September 2023 revealed that some COVID restrictions lingered, influencing our experiences. Crowd size limitations persisted, even at outdoor attractions like the enchanting Park Güell – an exhausting story you’ll read about in a future article. Planning ahead is essential, as many attractions now require advance ticket purchases, showcasing Barcelona's resilience and adaptability in the face of ongoing challenges but later presenting challenges to our crew.
Cultural Experiences: Museums and Art Galleries
Our cultural exploration led us to some of Barcelona's renowned museums and art galleries. Picasso is a favorite artist of not only me and Marlon but also a close friend, Trent Tomengo, a renowned artist on par with Basquiat in our opinion, making a visit to the Picasso Museum a must. The museum is a treasure trove of the artist's work, is housed in several medieval mansions, and its layout is designed to showcase the evolution of Picasso's artistry. As visitors navigate through the museum, they encounter rooms dedicated to different periods of Picasso's career, providing a chronological journey through his artistic development.
The museum's setup allows for an immersive experience, featuring paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and sketches that span Picasso's prolific career. Visitors can witness the artist's evolution and gain insights into the various styles and themes that captivated him. Dad, as he is an artist as well, has never been impressed by the work of Picasso, this museum did nothing to sway him, remarking throughout the visit how this piece or the other was something he could easily do, and he could. The rest of us were enthralled and thrilled, moved to tears while viewing Picasso’s “Science and Charity” large-scale canvas.
The gift shop, typically found toward the end of the tour, offers a range of items inspired by Picasso's works, allowing us to take home a piece of the artistic experience, and Kimiyo and I racked up on souvenirs. The museum's architecture and thematic organization contribute to a comprehensive and enriching exploration of Picasso's contributions to the world of art.
Once again, we met interesting travelers from the States. This couple stopped my father asking for a picture with him, the “First Spaniard” they met. My father obliged and when the gentlemen asked where he was from my dad laughed out loud and replied, “Las Vegas, Nevada. You know, not far from here.” All of us were laughing on the stairs exiting the museum exhibits.
Moco, short for the Modern Contemporary Museum, proved to be a captivating dive into urban art's avant-garde realm. Hosting works from renowned artists like Basquiat and Warhol, the museum provides an engaging space for contemporary art enthusiasts. Two other featured artists during our visit are Banksy, the elusive street artist known for his thought-provoking and politically charged pieces, and Brian Donnelly better known as KaWs whose humungous installation “Final Days” stands in the courtyard before the entrance. This is an influencer’s heaven with thousands of Instagram-able moments.
Happy Hour at the Hilton
Returning to the Metro, we headed back to catch happy hour at the Hilton. Amidst the lively atmosphere, we connected with fellow travelers, the woman of the pair shared she is originally from, you guessed it, New Orleans, Louisiana. Her husband is Panamanian, Panama being the location of one of our favorite trips. They expressed their excitement about an upcoming cruise on the Virgin cruise line on Sunday also. She let us know they had a cruise on the Symphony of the Seas as well, but she did not spoil it for us.
No Sleep ‘til
Oh, did you think we were done? Not so fast, it was just 8 pm and Barcelona was just waking up. We caught an Uber and headed to the Hotel Arts to show my parents that part of the Platja de Llevant Beach and the clubs and restaurants that we had visited on our 2016 trip. Surprisingly, the whole area has been transformed since COVID and other issues. We still enjoyed walking around and looking at the scenery.
Finally, we caught another Uber back to Diagonal Mar, our night was not done without one final culinary escapade. Marlon is always on the hunt for the tantalizing flavors of doner-kebab. The quest brought us to a charming restaurant in the business district near the Hilton called "Kebab Inn (Halal),” offering a local experience. Notably, the hunt was rewarded, providing a satisfying end to our evening.
Navigating Diversity
Barcelona's ever-changing demographics and cultural landscape presented a fascinating backdrop to our visit. The city, known for its LGBTQ+ friendliness, showcased a blend of modern acceptance and traditional expectations. While the LGBTQ+ community flourished, we observed that adhering to stereotyped gender role expectations persisted among the hetero-normative relationship community. Men were expected to open doors, pull out chairs, and walk outside near traffic—a subtle dance of expectations that, when not followed, raised eyebrows.
As we navigated through the diverse cityscape, the presence of ex-pats and immigrants from various corners of the globe added a layer of richness to local customs and courtesies. Observing the vibrant community, we encountered street vendors from all over the African Continent, contributing to the cosmopolitan charm that defines Barcelona.
Barcelona Unveiled!
Our Barcelona escapade? Picture this: Flight dramas, tapas feasts, and Marlon, aka "The Navigator," leading us through streets like he owns the place. Hilton perks, La Rambla's sensory overload, and an accidental tour of the Gothic Quarter. Metro rides? More like a global scent tour, folks. Picasso's Museum—Dad was unimpressed, but "Science and Charity" moved me to tears. Moco? Banksy's brilliance and KAWS aka Brian Donnelly's colossal "Final Days" in the courtyard. And did I mention navigating local customs? LGBTQ+ vibes meet traditional gender roles—Barcelona, you're a wild mix, and we're the captivated audience shouting, "Encore!" Adiós with a side of Doner-kebab delight. Next on the horizon, “Setting Sail,” the symphony begins as we push away from Barcelona and set out on the Mediterranean Sea.
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