on my day off: San Barcelona

Just got back from a long weekend in Barcelona (i call it San Barcelona because it reminds me SO much of San Francisco). So many things happened so, Let me just start from the beginning of the journey.

I leave for the airport around 3 pm and meet up with some of my friends to get to the airport. Everyone is SO excited and can't wait for the weekend. I thought it was interesting that the airlines would not let me check in a few hours ago online but I just put it in the back of my head and said everything was going to be fine, right? Wrong. Gee Rachel, haven't you learned before? So I get to the "do-it-yourself" check-in and it says to contact help. I got in line for the old fashion way of checking in and as soon as I gave them my passport, he grabbed that little white phone. Oh no, I knew instantly that was not a good sign. He proceeds to tell me that the airlines over booked the flight. Fantastic, so, me and my bad attitude went to go talk to someone about rebooking my flight. It took about 30 min of the woman looking at her computer and typing really fast to find out I got onto the next flight, which only left 15 min after my other flight. WAHOO! Was I happy, yes. I looked at my new boarding pass and realized they attached a coupon to it...For 125 euros. OH MY GOODNESS. I could not of been more thrilled in my life. I literally started jumping up and down with excitement. These sort of things don't happen to me on a regular basis, actually on no basis at all. So I picked up my step to make my flight and realized I was in 3f, wait a minute was I in first class? What in the world? Okay, come on someone pinch me. This must have been a mistake, I could not believe it. Even though it was only an hour flight, I could not of been more tickled. I get in my way oversized seat, wipe my hands down with the warm scented towels, and was beaming. My friends must of heard me overwhelmed with joy because they were sitting directly behind me (in coach haha suckers). Once the flight took off, Rachel of course modestly received her free red wine, crackers, cheese, and ham.

Don't I look GREAT in 1st class ha

oh how I love thee Spainair. (notice the Mrs?)

So everything seems to be going smoothly...What else possible can go wrong?

well rachel, a lot of things.

And oh boy did things go wrong. You remember me mentioning:

1. Locals, please keep your sticky fingers away.

-Straight off the plane was my first encounter with pickpocketing. I would call myself one of the most paranoid/careful people on this trip when it comes to stealing (I always have my backpack hung on the front side of my body and am constantly looking at everyone around me). The .2 seconds I did not have my backpack on my chest because I was trying to get through the metro gate, I hear my front pocket unzip. Oh boy did my heart stop. I turn around and yelled, "EXCUSE ME" to this spanish man and he shrugs his shoulders, smiles, and walks away. Oh no buddy you are not getting away with this one. I called for a security guard and she just looks at me and tells me to watch my bag. Okay, lady I have been watching my bag and all your going to do is stand there. Now I know why pick pocketing is so bad in Europe because no one does anything about it. About five minutes later, I am walking onto the street from the metro a guy standing on the stairs grabs my hair and tugs on it. Don't ask me why, but naturally I freaked out again.

2. Hostel, please keep me safe and clean

- On our way to the hostel was awful. People yelling at us because we are Americans and saying we don't know (beep) about life. I'm thinking, well at least I live in a way better country because I don't have to be thinking about my purse's whereabouts every 5 seconds and they do not charge me to use the restroom or water. Thanks for the heads up though. We met up with some of our friends who arrived earlier and were also staying at our hostel. They tell us, "oh its great! You will love it!" After walking around for what seemed like forever we arrived to the sketchiest place I have ever stepped foot in. In our room we were only given one sheet (the one that covers the mattress), timer on the lights, oh and at the front desk we could get "protection" for only 1 euro. Oh my goodness, What did I just get myself into? All of us seven girls look at each other and start dying laughing. We got in and out of that hostel as fast as we could. Remind you this was 2 am in the morning, we had no where else to stay, and finding a hotel at that time is nearly impossible in Barcelona. We called our friends Ashley and Jamie who were staying in a hotel and they tell us we can all fit in there room for the night and find a place tomorrow. Well we soon learned after being scammed because our taxi driver got "lost", that Spain will not let 7 people stay in a 2 person room under no circumstances. We begged and pleaded, but he did not give in. Me and Erin decide to stay there because we were not about to walk around Barcelona at 2 am in the morning looking for a hotel. Thank goodness we made that decision.