#AHaLoInEurope: Barcelona on my Bucket List

         

View of Barcelona from Mirador del Palau Nacional

Traveling broadens your horizon. It enriches your mind and your spirit. But traveling uses up a lot of your time and treasure. It would be a waste if you missed something on your trip you should’ve seen or experienced. It happened to me several times and I regretted that so much. If you’re planning a trip, I’d like to help you avoid missing out. So, let my blog show you what to look out for. Prepare for your trip by traveling with me through this post. Or you might still be in the praying and dreaming stage. Manifesting your dream into reality starts here!

A Happy Solo in Barcelona, Spain (Part 1)

For today’s blog, I’d like you to do some introspection with me. Find a quiet spot, zone out from your busy day and ask yourself, “What are the places I want to see before my knees give out?”

Les Quatre Columnes and Magic Fountain of Montjuïc

Notice the question is not “before I kick the bucket” but about the condition of your knees or your feet or your ankles. Why? Because I’ve seen people whose travel dreams have been hampered by mobility challenges.

Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys formerly known as Estadi Olímpic de Montjuïc
and also called Barcelona Olympic Stadium

My father, for instance, on our last trip to the Holy Land, had such a hard time keeping up with the group because of his knees.

 

Then there’s a friend who feels she can no longer travel far because of her age and health-related issues.

El Cap de Barcelona

So, I urge you not to delay checking destinations off your travel bucket list. Do it while you’re still spry enough to walk around. And do keep yourself in good physical condition. Months before a trip, I don’t just do my routine exercises but also focus on lower body workouts.

Estació de França (France Station) – second busiest railway station in Barcelona 

But of course, if there’s a will, there’s a way. I remember a woman we met at the airport. Her family has taken her and her wheelchair all over the globe. So, whatever your condition is, go ahead and answer my bucket list question. Who knows, it might motivate you to start making travel plans before your knees give out.

El Centre de La Vila

“Why make a bucket list?” you may ask.

 

First, a bucket list helps you prioritize your dream destinations over the so-so ones. Instead of using up your funds for several excursions to mediocre beach resorts in nearby places, you can save up for a one-time-big-time tropical vacation in some exotic paradise or even go on a cruise. (The Love Boat, anyone?)

Port Olímpic

Second, it helps you think of what type of destination will move you or resonate with you. When there are places I want to visit, I do a lot of research. It helps me filter out the things that I will or will not enjoy. A bucket list helps in determining what matters most to us. Will I enjoy the pristine snow or the powdery sand? Ancient cities or the metropolis with technological marvels? Museums with world renowned artworks or shop-till-you-drop outlets?

Balcons de Barcelona (Barcelona Balconies) – a large scale Trompe l’oil style mural
painted on an apartment building in Plaça de Pablo Neruda.
The balconies show 26 famous Barcelona personalities

Third, being able to tick an item off the list grants a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment. It’s a psychological pat on the back that can boost your self-worth.

Last but definitely not least, it can serve as your gratitude list. When things are not going great, you can whip it out, review the checked items and be reminded of how God has been good to you.

 

You may have noticed as you read along, I have used as a backdrop for this post the beautiful city of Barcelona. Why? Because it’s a destination I was able to tick off my travel bucket list.

 

The funny thing was, just when I checked Barcelona off, it made its way right back to my bucket list. When we were taken on a city tour, the sights whetted my desire to take a deeper dive into this dream destination.

I was especially fascinated by the works of Antoni Gaudí which have been collectively declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Spanish Cultural Heritage. I was awed by his masterpiece, La Sagrada Familia which deserves a separate post (watch out for my next blog).

Avinguda de Gaudí with La Sagrada Familia in the background

But I was saddened that I only got a glimpse of his other masterpieces:

 

Casa Batlló. It’s local name is Casa dels Ossos (House of Bones) because its façade embellished with a colorful mosaic made of stone, glass and broken ceramic tiles has a primeval, skeletal organic quality to it.

 

Casa Milà which is also known as La Pedrera (The Stone Quarry) due to its rough-hewn appearance. It’s the last private residence designed by Antoni Gaudí.

I didn’t even get a peep at Gaudí’s other works like Casa Vicens and Parc Güell. So, I’m sending up a wish and a prayer for another visit to Barcelona.

 

I’m off to exercise so I can travel there again before my knees give out. Ta-ta for now!