14) I caught my six hour train ride to Barcelona. My hostel was in an excellent location - cheap and just off Las Ramblas. Matilda, a Melbourner I met in London was also in Barcelona! It was so nice to see a familiar face! We went to La Sagrada Familia. I'm so glad I paid €13. Gaudi devoted his life to designing, founding and creating this breathtakingly detailed, glorious cathedral. Everything on the building is derived from a bible story. One side is all about creation - tree of life, Christ's birth, etc. The opposite side is the passion. Inside there are different colored pillars. Gaudi was inspired by nature - the tops of the pillars split into branches, imitating trees. An abundance of stained glass windows and skylights allow oodles of light from outside to stream in. When La Sagrada Familia is eventually completed (construction began in 1800's - they are saying they want to finish in 2026, the 100 year anniversary of Gaudi's death), there will be a seventy foot spire and the new main entrance (Glory Facade) will tell of the origin and end of humans and the roads which lead to personal fulfillment and glory. Don't ask me how in the world they will portray this, just going by the book! What I did find cool was a wall that read "Give us this day our daily bread" in fifty languages.

We wanted to find a little, out of the way typical Spanish eatery. But, when you are already hungry when you set out to do these things, they are usually an ultimate fail. We lucked out this time though! We found Txapella, which had relatively cheap tapas (I am turning into a seafood fan!) and I got talking to a local, who bought us our cokes and was teaching me Spanish phrases. We went to a place for paella, as I was determined to have it on my last night in Spain. I was not disappointed!

(15). Matilda came to my hostel for breakfast and we had to say our goodbyes shortly after. I went on a free Gaudi bike tour. It was awesome! In total we biked fifteen kilometers - along the beach, to Sagrada Familia, to two of Gaudi's other creations, and to Arc de Triumph. After, I went to the beach for a couple hours then caught my night train to Bern, Switzerland. I could barely walk because I was squeezing some last wear out of my cheap flip flops the day before and got a blister on the ball of my foot...ouchie! Also, I was extremely peeved to pay €80 for a reservation fee even WITH my rail pass! At least I got a bed. I shared a six bed compartment with Evelina, a lovely Finnish girl (I have a place to stay in Finland now!). I slept relatively well on the train - it sort of rocks you to sleep.

Til next time...Larae :)