Lizzie McGuire Eat Your Heart Out

My last days in Barcelona were just as good as the first. Luey and I wandered from coffee shop to coffee shop, through the markets, and back again, before we decided a siesta was needed. We spoiled ourselves with the free dinner that we had won where we started talking to two Parisian girls and spent the evening eating ice cream and speaking in broken french. We then moved on to a backpackers pub crawl where we met many new people and experienced the crazy Spanish party scene. Friday was spent in a tired haze but we managed to drag ourselves out of bed to go to Parc Guell. Expecting a lush park where we could relax after a busy night, we got off the metro to the steepest street I had ever seen, numerous flights of stairs and a Parc which was made entirely of dusty hills. Of course the Gaudi architecture was amazing, but a little difficult to enjoy after 2 hours sleep. After another siesta, we ended up taking our two new french friends on a wild goose chase but were eventually able to find Paella for dinner. On Saturday we had breakfast with Lucy and I headed to Rome.

Today I wandered to the ancient area of Rome. It's bizarre to think I was walking the same streets as people who lived there over 2000 years ago. The Palatino and the Colosseum were just as impressive as I expected. I was lucky with the lines of tourists today but am worried about the 2 hour wait to get into the Vatican tomorrow!

Arrivederci

Sarah

xoxo

I want to be the King of Spain

After a lovely weekend spent in Melbourne with Dylan I finally made my way to the airport to start the trip I had been working hard for and planning for so long. The plane was slightly delayed but still got to Qatar on time for me to get my connecting flight. Three planes, two buses and a train later I arrived at my hostel without any major dramas. Arriving red in the face from cold Melbourne carrying a jumper, a jacket and a huge scarf (which were clearly not needed in the 30+ humid Barcelona weather) I was immediately welcomed by a girl from Brazil, two girls from Paris, and four girls from Amsterdam. I had truly arrived in Europe.

After an early night and a few hiccups on the Spanish metro (accidentally buying the most expensive ticket and going two stops in the wrong direction) I finally made it to the main center of Barcelona. Walking with my mouth open looking up at the rambling terrace apartments I wandered through the city before ending up at the end of La Ramblas. I sat in the shade watching the crazy Spanish drivers and finally listened to my favourite song King of Spain. In Spain, which I had been waiting so long to do. I arrived at the hostel to a big hug from Luey and we spent the rest of the night attempting and failing to make a cheap backpackers omelette for dinner.

Wednesday was spent travelling 2000 years back in time through Barcelona and the ancient ruins of the Roman city. We got (slightly) lost through the rambling streets but stumbled across the best coffee I have ever had and an amazing art museum with the best complementary champagne I have ever tasted. We discovered the markets and had a colourful feast of fresh fruit and bread and have spent the rest of the evening swapping stories with Irish and Norwegian backpackers.

It's so surreal that I am suddenly on the other side of the world but 2 days in and I can't wait to see what happens next.

Until then

Sarah x

^Ordering coffee in Spanish with Luey