The city where everything brights.
Exactly one year ago, April 10th 2016, all classes of 10th grade went to Barcelona for one week.
Our French teacher and Spanish teachers had accompanied us to discover a new linguistic and cultural Spanish city, Barcelona, for a first approach to the Modernism. We stayed in a hotel in the small town of Calella, by the seaside.
Our French teacher and Spanish teachers had accompanied us to discover a new linguistic and cultural Spanish city, Barcelona, for a first approach to the Modernism. We stayed in a hotel in the small town of Calella, by the seaside.
We were very lucky to be in a hotel by the sea, to take pictures and to enjoy the wonderful view, in front of us. Even though we created fuss, teachers and us enjoyed the trip.
Departure : April, 10th 2016
Every pupil left with his national ID card or with his/her passeport and his/her European Social Security card (in case you'll be ill or have an emergency, you have this card).
No, we didn't get to the destination by plane but by autobus. It took us 14 hours to go from Paris to the center of Barcelona. It was hard to sleep during the night route as the seats were not as comfortable as we thought it would be... except if you sat at the back, lol. I wish I could go there by plane, just to go faster... and could sleep well, because the next day, my entire body tired... Hopefully, I enjoyed the visit with guides.
We did not ate in the restarant so we had all to bring our sandwiches and other food to eat. From the night to the morning. I think we arrived at the place we had to visit during the morning at 9.00 am or something.
Arrival : April, 16th 2016
We arrived to Paris, on Saturday morning but everyone was sad to leave Barcelona and not go back again. It was the only time we could spend a good time together and to not do our homework for once. We could miss classes... (except me, because my parents obliged me to go to my English class in Paris, in the afternoon... How lucky I am!)
Every pupil left with his national ID card or with his/her passeport and his/her European Social Security card (in case you'll be ill or have an emergency, you have this card).
No, we didn't get to the destination by plane but by autobus. It took us 14 hours to go from Paris to the center of Barcelona. It was hard to sleep during the night route as the seats were not as comfortable as we thought it would be... except if you sat at the back, lol. I wish I could go there by plane, just to go faster... and could sleep well, because the next day, my entire body tired... Hopefully, I enjoyed the visit with guides.
We did not ate in the restarant so we had all to bring our sandwiches and other food to eat. From the night to the morning. I think we arrived at the place we had to visit during the morning at 9.00 am or something.
Arrival : April, 16th 2016
We arrived to Paris, on Saturday morning but everyone was sad to leave Barcelona and not go back again. It was the only time we could spend a good time together and to not do our homework for once. We could miss classes... (except me, because my parents obliged me to go to my English class in Paris, in the afternoon... How lucky I am!)
Barcelona has many symbolic monuments and beautiful monuments you have never seen in your life. By reading this article, you'll be travelling through me...
1. Day One : Monday, April 11th 2016
On Monday morning :
1. Day One : Monday, April 11th 2016
On Monday morning :
- After being in the autobus for 14 hours, we had a little 15 minutes break (both for us and the bus drivers) at 7.00 a.m for breakfast which we had to bring by ourselves. Unfortunately, teachers didn't pay us a morning breakfast (I wished so) but we stopped at a motorway service area : it was not luxious... Tired, we were out of energy after having 14 hours of road.
- Arrival : 9.00 a.m : Wow, we were not even able to rest that we had already arrived in the city center of Barcelona to visit a Museum or something.
- As soon as we arrived, the teachers and us had a guided tour of "Palace of Catalan Music" (Palau de la Musica Catalana in Spanish) which is one of the most beautiful example of modernism in Barcelona. This palace of the architect Lluís Domènech Montaner is known for its main facade decorated with mosaics and with capitals build as a shape of flowers.
I forgot something important ! Then how did we eat then ? Teachers told us that parents had to make us a "picnic" so that we could eat in a parc... Which park ? The "Parc De La Cuitadella", near the "Arc de Triomf"... I didn't know the weather would be so hot so I was sweating during the whole walk...
This beautiful park... ! has a big big big water fountain ! The biggest I've never seen in my entire life. How did I discover this ? Well, simple : my best friend and I were thirsty, we drank all the water due to the hot weather, and we looked for a tap in the park so we just decided to walk around and around and finally, when we found water, we were happy and in front of us, there was this fountain.
On Monday afternoon :
- Audio guided tour of the "Sagrada Familia", the emblem of Barcelona. In 1883, Gaudi leads the work and he's then going to dedicate all his life to the realization of this monument which he leaves unfinished in 1926, date of his death. The Cathedral is the set of symbols on the mysteries of the faith - extraordinary facades representing Christ's birth, death and his resurrection. (You can find more information on the website.)
- After having bought souvenirs from the Sagrada Familias's shop, we walked around the district to get to "Passeig de Gràcia" (Paseo de Gracia) where you can admire those famous Gaudi's houses.
This avenue could be described exactly as the "Champ Elysées Avenue" because of the luxurious shops found in Paris and Barcelona... exactly the same. I felt like I was in Paris. And the most funniest thing is that I didn't even have to speak Spanish but I could speak French... Many French tourists go to Barcelona when they're on holidays break. I had the chance to go there once with my school (school trips are best when you're not with your parents... Mine are too old to go out with that big sun and walk along this long Gracia avenue).
At the end of this big avenue, we walked to the "Placa de Catalunya". The teachers let us to have a big 2-hours free time so we enjoyed it a lot. I wanted to hang out with my friends and take selfies during all the trip (to make souvenirs and never forget this). Actually, one year has been so fast... Good times always go by so fast...
At the end of this big avenue, we walked to the "Placa de Catalunya". The teachers let us to have a big 2-hours free time so we enjoyed it a lot. I wanted to hang out with my friends and take selfies during all the trip (to make souvenirs and never forget this). Actually, one year has been so fast... Good times always go by so fast...
2. Day Two : Tuesday, April 12th 2016 : "Gaudi's day"
On Tuesday morning :
- Next day : On the morning, we woke up at 9.00 am and had a guided tour by bus around Barcelona and we saw Gaudi's work (outside of monuments) with a French guide who explains us the histories of the monuments : general orientation tour by bus.
I think, firsly, we went to visit Barcelona's beach (it wasn't sunny that day as it was in the morning but I really enjoyed seeing the beautiful landscape of Barcelona) and then we had a tour around the city and saw many big monuments... I felt like I was in Paris as an Asian tourist (even if I'm living in France, I love going to Paris to take pictures like an Asian tourist haha).
On Tuesday afternoon :
- After the lunch in the "Park Guëll", we visited it by little group of friends (it was because we had a survey about the Park but we could ask questions to guides) classified as a World Heritage Site by Unesco. The park was built between 1900 and 1914 and was officially opened as a public park in 1926. It represents the reflection of Gaudí's artistic plenitude, which belongs to his naturalist phase (first decade of the 20th century). During this period, the architect perfected his personal style through inspiration from organic shapes.
Actually, it's a big parc, I was out of energy at the end of the long walk under the sun... but it was cool to have more knwoledge about Gaudi's park and its history.
Secondly, after this "good adventure in the Park", we discovered in a interactive way, the universe of the genius Gaudi through "Gaudi Experience", projection in 4D. What I found really inspiring was the Water fountain mock-up found in the park (pictures of it are below). Address : Carrer de Larrard, 41, 08024 Barcelona, Espagne |
- Finally, coming back home by little groups with the private school bus, we were all tired... Fortunately, the hotel was in front of the beach. How could we miss this amazing chance? Well, I could not have missed it as I love swimming and going to the beach. I try to go there once a year. So, what we did was: running into the sand and dive into the water (well, just foot because the water was really cold at that time though) haha.
Taking pictures as an Asian tourist, I'll never forget what we did there. An unforgettable trip with friends and teachers.
3. Day Three: Wednesday, April 13th 2016
On Wednesday morning :
- We visited the Museum of the Sciences, the Cosmo Caixa who suggests a set of temporary activities and permanent fated to familiarize any kind of public with Science. It's been a long time since we went there so I can't tell much about the Science museum but I can tell you that it's a really insteresting museum for people who love sciences... I am because I took Science classes haha.
- We, then, went eating outside the museum, found a good place to take a little rest and then keep going on our journey. I can just remember going to a little park outside, and play football or other games but that was with a ball. Spending time with people, especially with friends, going outside with them is what makes your life feel better and suddenly, you will feel brighter and happier than before. That's why friends are really important: always here for you when you need help, when you're in trouble, and so on...
On Wednesday afternoon:
- We visited another museum but called "Miro's Foundation". Actually, this museum of modern art is honoring Joan Miro. Miró wanted to create a new building that would encourage particularly younger artists to experiment with contemporary art. I mean, I can't say I didn't like visiting the museum, but because it doesn't fit my tastes, I didn't really understand the point of making a big black line, on a painting. Maybe the artist had many inspirations by doing this, but I can't see his point of view. Everyone has his own ideas. I'm not an artist so maybe that's why I can't understand the big idea of his paintings but I love taking pictures.
- This day was a visiting day. I was so exhausted to visit all those monuments, even if it was really beautiful. The next stop was at the Sant Pau Hospital, the biggest modernist monument of the world.
4. Day Four: Thursday, April 14th 2016
On Thursday morning :
- What did we do next? After preparing, fitting beautiful clothes to go out with the hot weather in Barcelona, our teachers took us to the "Poble Espanyol" known as the "Spanish town" which reunites all of the traditional Spanish houses. This "Poble Espanyol" is an open-air architectural museum near the Foutains of Montjuïc. I have blurred memories because it was a year ago, but I really loved this outdoor museum since I could buy my favorite things: you have many shops in the town such as some perfumed soap, chocolate or nougat, traditional bevarage... It is not even expensive, but you have to negociate with scammers sellers... (yup I got scammed but anyways I enjoyed my trip so I don't care that much).
I really love how this original outdoor musuem is decorated and its way to go to one place to another. It's really different from what we use to see in France. I guess that is why I met that many French tourists... But its originality make Barcelona, a well-known city in Spain. (ughh I want to go back to Barcelona... in 5 years maybe, when I'll get a salary!).
On Thursday afternoon:
On Thursday afternoon:
- Discovery of Montjuïc Hill which is dominating the old city and the old harbor of Barcelona. These landscapes are so breathtaking that I want to go back there again. I mean, with this hot weather and the sun that shines the landscape, it makes you want to take a picture and as all teenagers (but adults too) do: A POST ON INSTAGRAM with #nofilters! But, my pictures are all with filters since I wanted to make it more beautiful than the original one. Perhaps, my old iPhone 5s camera wasn't that efficient...
- Next stop: the "Museu Olimpic De l'Esport". This museum describes the Olympics' history since 1986 to those of Athens. I just remembered that each student had to work with a partner and answer to questions in a survey while we were going through the visit by ourselves. What I did really like about this museum was that it wasn't a guided tour so we took time to read carefully (it was said to be marked so we all had to work, but it wasn't finally when we came back to France). It was really interesting to know more about sports such as how did we create fencing and all about that stuff. When we nearly finished the visit, one of my classmate fell and broke her anckle: we were all worried about her... My Spanish teacher had to take her at the hospital but she was fine at the end so I was relieved. I couldn't see her staying 3 days at the hospital. She's my friend so, of course I had to care for her, just as every of my friends would do for me (well, I hope so haha).
- We did a lot more, but I can't tell you too much, you'll have to discover by yourself if you go to Barcelona... I won't spoil you. Anyways, we had also some free time to go to Arenas mall. It wasn't that big, but I had enough time to buy what I really want and EAT WHAT I REALLY WANT: CREPES! BUT WAIT WAIT WAIT! I didn't eat all those 3 crepes, I had one but it was because I was with two of my friends at this mall. We saw this "restaurant" so we decided to taste it and it was delicious!
5. Day Fifth: Friday, April 15th 2016 (The last day)
5. Day Fifth: Friday, April 15th 2016 (The last day)
- Bike ride in Barcelona with guides, punctuated with stops which offer a city overview while approaching various aspects (social, cultural and political) - Duration: 3 hours; bikes and supplied helmets. Time flies. 3 hours went really fast. We were by groups and we all enjoyed riding all around Barcelona, and visiting again and again places we saw 3 or 4 days ago when we had a walk.
- Discovery of Ramblas and Barrio Gotico: Plaça Reial, Boqueria, the Cathedral: the best of the best. It was the last visit before getting on the bus and departing for 14 hours-trip.
- LAST BUT NOT LEAST: EATING AT THE MAREMAGNUM MALL
Anyways, that was the end of the trip. The last: eating at a mall and enjoying eating this with my friends. I hope you really enjoyed reading this page, and hoped you travelled through this page!