I FINALLY managed to watch “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” last night. Thanks to a nasty cold that robbed me off my voice I decided to spend another Saturday night on my beloved couch and get a DVD. Vicky Cristina Barcelona(VCB) was high up on my list since I watched “Midnight in Paris” recently. Some might like it, some don’t, I do – Woody Allen’s virtual city guides covered by romantic love stories. Just like Midnight in Paris, VCB shows you the most famous sight-seeing spots of the respective city.
I love Barcelona! I love the Barri Gòtic with its gothic architecture, I love El Raval with its medieval character and I love Baceloneta with its baroque charm. I have spent the first 8 summers of my life in Barcelona. Then, after a long time of absence, I returned when I was in my twenties and since then I keep on coming back on a more or less regular basis.
My favorite Spot: Parc Guell
My last visit to this city was somehow surreal and just like Vicky and Cristina I fell in love. Needless to say that just like Vicky’s or Cristina’s love story mine didn’t end with the happy end of a fairy tale either. Is it the influence of the likes of Picasso, Miro and Gaudi that shapes the way love goes in Barcelona? Thinking back, I realise that I already fell in love on the way to Barcelona in the plane (I can actually picture the exact moment). Not yet noticed by me back then, I was under the impression that it knocked me over at Parc Guell (Gaudi, another feature of Barcelona that makes it so unique compared to any other city). I finally melted away at the bar of the W. Where, in the spur of the moment and both of us already quite tipsy from all those Mojitos, I hear him say that he thinks he is falling in love with me. If he had only known that this had already happened to me (he would have probably not said anything at all ;)).
W Barcelona
El Palace Barcelona
I have a feeling that the hotel we stayed in played its magical part, too. The baroque building with its pompous entrance hall, heavy curtains in the rooms and yet mixed with temporary furniture makes you feel you have entered another era. Centrally located, it is definitely a place to stay for lovers! Totally romantic!
When I watched VCB yesterday there was something Maria Elena said that just wouldn’t leave my mind throughout the night: “Only unfulfilled love can be romantic”. ..No matter how my story ended, this trip to Barcelona has been the most romantic trip of my life. I was never so happily in love before; I don’t want to miss those spontaneous kisses in the streets, spending the mornings in bed and the feeling of being in love in this magical city. Therefore I can truly say that it was definitely one of the best trips of my life!
My conclusion: I have only the fondest memories of this catalan city and I will definitely go back. Next time, I will visit my childhood love: Floquet de Neu (Snow Flake). He is the attraction of the Barcelona Zoo, a snow-white Gorilla. I remember nagging my parents every summer we were there to visit him in the zoo. I would like to know if he is actually still alive?
Confessions of a Traveler 