Slightly Delayed

10 years later and I finally decide that it's time to write again.

Since my last post I have in fact returned home to Sydney. It has been 2 weeks now that I have been back on home soil and there are already times when it feels like the last year has already been packed away in a box. I have to constantly remind myself that it happened. That 2 weeks ago I was in Spain, 4 weeks ago I was in Israel and that 2months ago I was living in South Africa.

For those that didn't follow my journey over the last year I travelled in between 3 continents, 6 countries over the previous 12months. The only part of any of that travelling which was planned in advance was the part where I left my home in Sydney, Australia on the 28th of May 2010 bound for 1 year of volunteer work in South Africa. Not even the return date was completely set. So from South Africa I ended up in Uganda, Malawi, Spain and now for this blog post Israel.

I had been hoping and praying for an opportunity to visit my big sister Melody who has been serving in the I.T department at the Baha'i World Centre in Haifa, Israel which is the administrative and spiritual centre of the Baha'i Faith. However it was soon becoming apparent to me that this wish of mine was not going to be able to become reality at this point in my life. As I had been doing volunteer work for so long I really didn't have a cent to my name and my parents who had 2 daughters overseas doing volunteer work were not in a position at that time to sent me the cash so I decided that when I arrived home I would work and send myself to Haifa some other time.

When my uncle called me asking if I wanted to see my sister in Haifa and saying that he would help with the ticket I was absolutely overjoyed and when the time finally came to take a 1 week break from Spain and leave for Israel I was enveloped with excitement.

The hardest part about going to Israel is the whole thing, especially when flying with Israel's very own airline El Al. I arrived at the check in counter and the process began. Having flown to Israel 3 times before and having used El Al once before I was more than aware that I would go through the very tedious precautionary procedures. So the first interrogation began... "Where are you going?" "Why?" "Who are you going to see?" "Where does she live?" "Where were you staying in Spain?" "What are you doing here?" "What did you study?" "What does you uncle do for a living?" "Where was he born?" "Where were your parents born?"... etc

Knowing that I have nothing to hide I answered all their questions without complaint and then I was given permission to check in to my flight.

Then came interrogation number 2 which occurs at El Al's private chambers before you board the flight. They took me through all these security doors and in an elevator, I felt like I was on that show Boarder Patrol and they were taking me because they thought I might be bringing something illegal into the country. Here they checked my hand luggage, did a body search of me and ran through all the questions again. I spent about an hour or so hanging out there and the staff were actually really polite, very courteous and as friendly as anyone who is searching your body can be.

Best part of it was getting escorted onto the plane. Now for the part I dreaded, interrogation on arrival at Tel-Aviv airport. I get taken to that little holding room every single time and it is always as a result of the same question; What is your grandfather's name?

This time I had learned a trick from my aunt and that was to say any very middle eastern sounding names with a really western accent. The lady asked me to pronounce my surname which I did in the most Aussie way I could, then the name of my father and I tried my hardest to make Behrooz sound like I could have said Bob but then there is no accent that can make Mohammad Hussein, the name of my grandfather, sound any less sinister in the eyes of a country that is constantly under threat from some fanatic, extremist group fighting in the name of Islam and so I got sent to the room. The room is this small area with a couple of TVs and 2 drink machines and that's where you sit while you wait to be called in for an interview. I have in the past spent over an hour in that room but luckily this time after a few minutes and a repeat of the same questions they let me enter the country.

I was shaking with excitement,  couldn't wait to get to Haifa and see the beautiful glow of the Shrine of The Bab again. The entire Baha'i gardens in Haifa is structured around this beautiful Shrine which has always been a place of peace and refuge.

When I did arrive in Haifa it was already dark at only 7pm, this was a contrast to Spain where the sun didn't set till after 9pm. My big sister met me where my taxi dropped me off and we began our first catch up after not seeing each other in 1 year.

Baha'i Gardens- The Shrine of The Bab

Shrine of The Bab

Me and my big sister Mel

Baha'i Gardens

Segovia

This is my first time visiting Europe in a season other than Winter, it is Springtime here in Spain and the weather is beautiful.

It is the perfect weather for my regular acts of gallivanting, perfect for pretty dresses and walks in the park, perfect for being outdoors and sitting in cafes and it is the perfect weather for hay-fever.

Me oh my, has the pollen gotten to me. The severity to which my allergies have been here in Spain made me initially think that I had the flu. Intense coughing, constant sneezing, runny nose, sore throat, constant headaches. It was probably the burning itch in my eyes and throat that made me realise this was as a result of hay-fever, that and the fact that after 2 weeks none of the symptoms had improved. Now I am taking antihistamine tablets but when the barrage of trees and flowers and grass is this heavy I think I would need to take the whole packet for the pills to have any effect.

Who'd have thought flowers could be this dangerous?

Aside from my allergic reaction to something as stupid as plants I have been relishing the weather in Madrid. The last little place I went to visit was Segovia; a gorgeous little village about an hour from Madrid. For the most part the streets and buildings have remained untouched allowing you the opportunity to feel as though you were visiting another time rather than another place.

While there I even made new friends, Emma a 78 year old lady from Peru who now lives in the USA and who constantly spoke to me in Spanish and would laugh at herself when I would stare back at her without comprehension. The other friend was Carlos, a 64 year old Mexican man from Texas, USA who as a history teacher was able to offer us a little more insight into our surroundings.

We had lunch together and walked the streets. Emma and I were very similar both of us refusing to pay 5euros to enter this massive church based on the principal that it is wrong to charge people to visit a place of worship and that 5euros was just too expensive. Actually we didn't enter any of the old buildings that required an entry fee. For the most part I am a little tired of seeing the interiors of most of these places which to me all look the same now. I've been inside a tonne of castles and walked through a whole bunch of museums. I've gazed at different styles of architecture and examined loads of churches. I'm done with the whole old thing. I'm bored of being a tourist. Once I said goodbye to my two new friends I headed straight for the stores and I shopped. I won't even deny it, I found it far more enjoyable than anything else I did in Segovia.

Segovia, the Acueducto.. old aqueduct which boarders the city and supplies water

gorgeous little town

me and one of the many churches in Segovia

my two new friends, Carlos and Emma

The views reminded me of scenes from movies

me and a castle

Segovia

Lunch time, first course: Soup Castellana

main course: stake on a sizzling hot plate

desert: lemon sorbet

streets of Segovia

fountain in Segovia

church and the big cathedral in the background

The Rest of Barcelona

A post that I was supposed to write 2 weeks ago but such is life and here it is.


Perhaps this is more of a guide to the different attractions of Barcelona and what I personally thought of them. Many, many websites and travel guides list these places as 'must see' and 'top ten' but I didn't always agree.


Parc Guell


A World Heritage Site and described by the TripAdvisor website as a "a must see if you are ever in Barcelona". Described by me as BORING!! 
I was actually confused as to what the fuss was about. It was a park, yes, it had some pretty things in it, yes, but it was lameeee!!

Perhaps it was less exciting for me as I was riding solo and had no one to share the place with but still I can't imagine it being any better if I was surrounded by friends. Maybe it is more from the historical or architectural standpoint that makes this place worth visiting but those are two things that I am really interested in and still I wasn't that impressed. 


So what is Parc Guell you may wonder? First off its pronounced Gway and not Guel, the double L makes a y sound. Second it is an area designed by the very famous architect Gaudi who we will hear more about later. He designed this area as a village but unfortunately due to issues with funds it was never completed. Later it was turned into a park but the initial structures remain.

Bored as I was I decided to make the most of my adventure for one and spent some time with the many artists and performers who fill the space. I took a photo with some musicians and also had my silhouette cut out for only 4euro. It was actually really cool.

Main area

me singing along with some musicians

more of the park

Sagrada Familia


Now here is something that when the travel guides write "must see" and "one place you have to visit in Barcelona" they are actually speaking the truth. This site is amazing. From the distance at first I thought it would be like any regular church but as I drew closer and closer I realised that this was something else. A fantastic medley of patterns and statues cover the exterior. Different scenes from the Bible are carved into the exterior of the church, each carving symbolic and filled with meaning. Nothing about this church is devoid of meaning. Every structure and frame, every tile and window has been created with a purpose of vision and each element unites to create a church that is beyond awe inspiring. It is really beautiful in the most unusual of ways.

Sagrada Familia is a church designed by Gaudi but not completed before he passed away in 1926. The church is still being completed and I can only imagine what it will become when it is done. Gaudi's inspiration in all his designs is nature. He mimics the styles and patterns of the natural environment in his built worlds.
Unfortunately on the day that I went to visit the weather was not its best and so we couldn't go up to the top of the towers where they say there is an amazing view of the city. Anyone who does visit this place should definitely invest in the audio guides, they give so much extra insight which really adds to the experience. The other great thing about Sagrada Familia is that it's a great place to visit when you're on your own. No need for friends.

one side of Sagrada Familia

interior, the main hall

more interior

La Rambla


Famous street of Barcelona, it reaches from the city all the way down to the beach. This street is great, lined with restaurants, cafes and shops it's one of those places you can keep coming back to. The street is divided into 3 lanes, the 2 outer lanes are for cars and the middle strip is for walking. This walking strip is filled with performers and street artists and those people that pretend to be statues.

My favourite part of La Ramble is the market that comes off it. Amazing market for fruits and vegetables and chocolate. There are tonnes of stalls who sell amazing fresh fruit juices in the most creative combinations like papiya and coconut and guava and dragon fruit and blueberry. Not that there was a juice with all of those mixed together.

posing dude who scares people as they take photos

me and my coconut and blueberry juice

lots of juice at the market

apparently this is exactly what he looked like

Barrio Gotico


The Gothic Quarter, really cool place filled with old churches and buildings. It even has a testament to my stick figure drawings which I really liked.


This area is right next to La Rambla and for the most part you walk up and down the streets and look at stuff so you can keep coming back to it. I really liked this area.

cathedral

testament to my stick drawings

old men 

Camp Nou


If you are a lover of football then you will enjoy Camp Nou. If you are a lover of good football played by honorable clubs with players who don't spend most their time posing in their underwear and who aren't coached by men who get sent to the naughty corner then you will especially love Camp Nou. The Barcelona Football Club's home stadium, visiting Camp Nou is a visit to the history and making of this amazing club. 


If football is not your interest then you will really get bored here, everything is about football. Also it costs a rediculous amount to visit this place so really don't come unless you actually have an interest. It is also slightly out of the way so yeah.


I personally loved it because I personally don't like Real Madrid.. teehee.


The museum was great and they give you a free audio guide so you get pretty descent descriptions of everything. Then you get to go down through the locker room and see where the away team showers and all that. You get to walk out to where the coaches and players sit but for some reason when I went they didn't let you sit on the players seats. The tour ends in this amazing cinema room with something like 10 projection screens and this amazing video of Barcelona victories and goals. Then, naturally, they lead you to the shop which wasn't as over priced as I expected.

where the players walk onto the field

the field

Antoni Gaudi


As Gaudi was from Barcelona the city is filled with his architecture which you can go to visit. There is his own home which he designed and also a home which he designed for some other family. Perhaps if only for interests sake and to tick them off the "things to do" list you should visit one of these houses. I say one because first of all it isn't cheap to visit and second they kind of all look the same. Really if architecture isn't your thing and if you really don't care about how the concave of the door handles is designed perfectly to match your palm then you really won't get much out of these places. 


Both these houses are on the same street just a few minutes from each other and you can see the exteriors of both and maybe decide from that which you want to visit if not both. I visited Casa Batllo, it was interesting and for someone who studied design I got a fair bit out of it but I decided not to visit his other house.

inside Casa Batllo

exterior of Casa Batllo

Poble Espanol


This place doesn't even deserve a section. It's a big fake village type thing closed off by walls and you have to pay to go inside. When you go inside it looks exactly like all the streets outside which you didn't have to pay to walk down. The idea of the place is combining all the different areas of Spain into one place so each section looks like a different part of Spain. To me it all looked the same.


Only worth going to if you really want to eat at one of the restaurants inside otherwise I thought it was lame, this could also be as a result of my soloness but still.

streets that look like any other streets

a fountain

The Beach


The beach was alright, nice view. Lots of topless women, sometimes not so nice. Some overpriced restaurants surrounding it but worth going to especially if the weather is good.


Also I saw lots of families renting bikes and riding around and people on roller blades and skates. It's definitely that kind of area.

cool thing on the beach

So I think that's it for Barcelona, the shopping was great there and it was really easy to get around.


As I said before I love Barcelona and it's only a couple hours drive to the South of France which is something I'd like to do maybe next time.

Barcelona

Very typically of how I run my life, within less than 24 hours I planned a trip to Barcelona. My aunt and I decided on Thursday that it was a good idea for me to go and on Friday morning I flew to Barcelona.

I was staying with my aunts mum who lives in Barcelona and within the first day I had figured out the metro system and started the process of gallivanting around. I stayed a total of 5days and to go into detail about everything that I did and saw would be very long as I did and saw absolutely everything that I could but perhaps I'll just point out the highlights.

First of all it is very difficult to attract help when you look like you should know what you are doing. I appear to look Spanish and this got me into trouble a few times when people started making conversation with me in the streets and at first I would politely smile and nod my head at them until I realised that they were asking me a question and I had to do the whole "ohhh me no hablo Espanol" and smile politely again before looking in the other direction. One guy in a lift tried to start conversation with me and when I gave him the "I don't speak Spanish" line he said to his family "Todos Americanos" to which I corrected him that I was in fact Australian.

That brings me to another point, Barcelona is tourist central and it's packed with Americans. I heard so many American accents if you closed your eyes and just listened to the conversation on the streets you might have sworn you had taken a magic pill and ended up in the streets of New York or Chicago or somewhere. The worst part was that most of the accents I was hearing weren't those tolerable American accents, the one's that you don't mind hearing because they sound like all the people in the movies we see all the time but they were those bimbo girl sounding accents. The ones the use in movies for the pretty but dumb girl that always says "like, like, like, you know, like...". Sometimes I had to stop myself from laughing when I could overhear their conversations. Like one time in the metro a girl with one of these accents was telling her friend about how her room-mate lost her bag which contained within it her wallet and house keys when suddenly something dawned on her.."Oh my God, like I should email my landlord... and tell her to change the locks. Like Oh my God really, the bag had her wallet and her keys in it. Someone could fully have our address and the keys. I should email my landlord."

So aside from the heard of tourists who were in Barcelona from all over the place I had myself a great time. There is something great about travelling by yourself and that's the absolute freedom to do what you want when you want but at the same time, everyday there is a moment where you wished you had someone with you to share it with. Barcelona was filled with couples and groups and families. I barely saw anyone else doing it solo like me. I am most definitely not the type to give up on experiencing something just because I'm by myself but sometimes you could really use someone sitting across from you at the restaurant or telling you to pose while they take a picture or listening to you while you complain about how much your feet hurt. There were times when I would be looking for a place to eat and as I would pick a table and sit down I would look around hoping that there would be someone else, sitting at a table for one, enjoying their solidarity, just so that I could feel that I wasn't alone being alone. I would get excited when I would see this, a man or a woman sitting at a table on their own, looking up and down the menu and I wouldn't feel the loneliness so much but then disappointment would come in the form of their partner or friend who would eventually walk in and take the seat across from them and together they would talk and laugh and taste each others food and I would sit again, alone in my loneliness.

Barcelona is a very beautiful city and I think it has knocked Paris off from the top of my favourite cities list. It has a bit of everything, beach front, mountains, parks, museums and galleries, beautiful old streets filled with amazing European architecture, churches and cathedrals, shopping, great food, markets and of course the architectural works of Gaudi whom the Barcelonians are very proud of.

My favourite part of Barcelona was Montjuic. There the Magic Fountain lights up and dances along to music. Not only is the fountain beautiful but the whole strip both behind and in front of it is amazing. The main road leading up to the fountain is lined with smaller fountains and on either side are buildings which complement the rest of the architecture of the area. Behind the fountain is a waterfall of water and stairs which lead up to a beautiful building. The stairs are also lined with flowing water and the amazing building which stands at the very top of the hill is the Palau Nacional, National Palace. The energies of each feature of this area complement each other and create an atmosphere that is both simplistically beautiful and awe inspiring. Surrounded by fountains, a sense of tranquillity and calm surrounds you and yet the majesty of the main fountain and the Palace behind it as well as these 4 huge pillars which stand, watching over the fountain make you want to stare in amazement.

For now I will leave you with these glimpses of Plaza Espanol which is the name of this entire area, a place I just kept going back to.

Montjuic with the pillars and palace

Magic Fountain

The pillars looking over the fountain

The Palau Nacional

The main road lined with fountains

Me and The Fountain as it first lights up

The Fountain at night, lit up and dancing to the music

View from above, watching the cars rush by at the base of the main road

The main road leading up to Montjuic