Day 58-Back in Turkeyland...

...Turkish keyboards and all!
So consider yourself lucky that there won't be too much to read.

This morning I woke before sunrise-without an alarm (I know, you're impressed-and wondering, 'Who IS this girl?!'). I had the idea last night to watch the sunrise from the beach, so after another lengthy walk in the dark with Asli, that's exactly what we did. And it was beautiful and orangey-pink.
We also went to the marketplace again, which I failed to mention in my previous blog. Picture a large, open-air, roof-covered area with at least 50 little stands inside. Each stand specializes in one thing or another, ranging from and including: candy, nuts, meat, seafood, fruit and vegetables, spices, ice cream, bakery, and more- all laid out in beautifully displayed presentations. I could live in this place and try something new everyday, although I my appetite for red meat that previously did not exist has turned to pure disgust (I wouldn't recommend it to vegetarians!).

We headed to the hostel and said goodbye to all of our friends there, then hopped the metro, train, and plane back to Istanbul, parting with Hannah at the metro station. Here in Istanbul we have Asli's house to ourselves because her parents (and the maid) are both out, and her parents won't return until Sunday. İt's so nice to be able to relax here-and that is exactly what we intend on doing for the next four days (plus the gym and Turkish bath!).

Day 57- Gaudi´s Candyland

Barcelona has been amazing.
Yesterday we went to the aquarium, then to Gaudi´s Sagrada Familia (Sacred Family) Cathedral. Construction began in the 1890s, and is projected to be finished around 2085. It is inspired by nature, and the columns look like trees with stylized branches that reach up and form a canopy as the ceiling.
Last night, we had another big group together, and ended up having a blast. Asli and I met up with our friends from England (Justin,Owen, Simon)that we originally met in Berlin. Also, another guy named Hunter (they were calling him Jager=Hunter in German) that Asli and I met on the train from Berlin to Amsterdam turned up here in Barcelona at the same hostel by coincidence (and he saw Asli in Granada-weird). He introduced us to his traveling buddy from school named Kellen. Also with us were some buddies that we met in Granada (Whitney and Jeff), a German girl named Linda, a Kiwi guy named Dan, and a girl from northern Montana named Erin.
We all hung out at the hostel bar for a bit, then decided to head out around 11, after losing Hunter and Kellen. There is an area on the shore called Port Olimpic, which is lined with bars and clubs of all sorts, some more scandalous than others. After a long walk there, we were dragged into several with promises of free drinks for the 10 of us. We accepted most of their offers, then moved along, and after about 4 bars, decided to walk down to the beach. By then we lost 2 more, and the 8 of us remaining sat by the water and played with the sand while talking and laughing the night away. Justin had some great anecdotes about the dog poo that litters the streets in many European cities, and had us in "stitches."
When the night came to an end, half got a cab, and 5 of us decided to walk the long walk back to the hostel. We had a great time, including tap dancing on a sidewalk corner and having a clap-jam, which is basically an impromptu percussion performance (I guess you had to have been there).

Today, Hannah and I were super productive, since it was my last day here and there is so much to see. We saw the Miro Foundation (great books and sculptures), the Olympic Stadium (like any other futbol stadium),the Parc Guell (designed by Gaudi, filled with colored tile mosaics, curved lines, and candyland-looking buildings. The whole place was originally designed as a nature community for the high society people until funding failed and it eventually became property of the city.), and finally, La Cuitadella (great park with a huge fountain, which I unfortunately only saw in the dark).

Tomorrow morning Asli and I fly to Istanbul (hopefully after catching the sunrise at the beach). Barcelona has left a great taste in my mouth, so to speak, and is a very nice place to end my trip. It´s also very livable, as Asli and I discussed last night, since it´s right on the water, has a lot of young people, and a ton to do. I´m sure I´ll be back.

Day 55- Dia de los muertos!

Day of the dead, Mexican style (yes,I´m in Spain)...

Barcelona has been great for the short part of the day that we have had here so far, after a 14 hour train ride from Granada...whew!

We spent the train ride in the dining car and another bathroom last night (only part of it!) with some friends that we met in Granada who were also coming to Barcelona. Asli and I hung out with them while Hannah chilled in her seat (we were too cheap to splurge for beds this time-6 euros vs. 28), and Hannah didn´t care for them too much anyway after they came into the hostel at 4:30am the night before, loud and obnoxious as possible.

We took a boat cruise around the port and beach area here, which was quite a ride since we were on the sea. (I don´t know if G-Wizz could handle these ones! ;) It was basically like an amusement park ride, and though I thought it was great, Hannah turned a little green.

Tonight we have to get creative and dig though our bags to find costumes...this is supposed to be the big party night for Halloween.
We´ll also be meeting up with Justin and Owen (from England, that Asli and I met and hung out with in Berlin), along with Justin´s little bro.

Day 54- So many photo-ops, so little film

Yesterday Asli and I woke up later than we had hoped after hanging out with a bunch of other backpackers in the hostel and going out to a reggae bar. Hannah had already set out, so the two of us headed up into the SacreMonte area together.
One must climb many stairs and hills through white buildings detailed with colorful ceramic tiles, but the view is well worth it. From one vantage point, you can see the entire valley, the Alhambra, and the sprawling modern city in the distance. A group of musicians were getting ready to play, and asked Asli if she danced when she said she was Turkish
We met up with a girl from Bavaria who is also staying at our hostel there, and the three of us hiked up higher- in what seemed to be circles- until we reached the actual Sacremonte. People live in cave-homes here, although it is not obvious from the exterior. The outside of the homes are flat and man made looking, but if you go inside the buildings (we went in a cafe to see), the roof is rounded and in some cases, there are several little rooms. The whole place was completely picturesque, and I would have to say that Granada is one of my favorite cities so far.

Today Asli and I visited the amazing Alhambra, which is a palace, fortress, and garden area seated at the top of a mountain, part of the Sierra Nevadas. It has beautiful manicured gardens with sculpted topiaries in very creative shapes and fountains-and pools-everywhere. The theme is water: as a mirror, irrigation, source of life, and hygiene. The palace itself is amazing with details that words or pictures could never do justice. We were there until dark, before coming back to the hostel and catching our overnight train (with seats, not beds, because we didnt want to fork over the 28 euros...) at 10 pm to Barcelona.