My first expedition in the epic two months of my summer holidays. It definitely set the benchmark high!
First stop, Madrid. I arrived in Plaza de Espana, right in the center of the city, at about 11am, dumped my pack, and set off to explore. I had a look around the markets in the Plaza before strolling up La Rosaleda to Teleferico - the cable car. I jumped on to see the amazing panoramas over Casa de Campo - Madrid's central park which is 7 times larger than NYC's Central Park!, and the city skyine. I walked back through the park to Cathedral de Nuestra Senora de la Almudena, Ruins of Santa Maria de la Almundena, Iglesia de Sacramenti, Basilica de San Miguel, Plaza Mayor and Plaza de la Puerta del Sol. Basically covering the main sights of the capital. Next I met up with Robbie and Ben who had arrived the day before. We had a little siesta in Plaza Oriental before doing some more sights, Palace Rial, the Opera House and Plaza Villa before setting for a feed at Casa Mingo. The most AMAZING apple cider that has ever blessed my tastebuds. Accompanied by some divine chorizo and chicken and followed by gelato made for a pretty satisfying night. The next morning we caught the train from Madrid north to Pamplona.
Some damn good cider
Some damn good ciderWe arrived safe and sound, headed to the hostel and met Greg, our tour leader and probably one of the coolest people on the Topdeck circuit. We got decked out in our festival gear - white with a red neck scarf to symbolise San Fermin, a missionary who was decapitated, before meeting the rest of the crew and hitting the town. The fiesta had begun. Stages, side shows, parades, talking, dancing and lots and lots of sangria. Only €2.50 for 1.5L of the "World's greatest Sangria". Haha. Then the fireworks. Oh the fireworks. So close, and loud and wow. We stumbled back at 2am with big smiles on our faces and we knew it was the start of something good.
5.45am. Too early. Nevertheless, we were all on the bus to Plaza del Toro to stake out our spots to watch the running and steer fights. Front row. It was worth it. After 2 hours waiting, smattered with mexican waves and catchy Spanish chants, the rocket went off. The run had begun. After about 2 minutes the crowd arrived in the arena, which we followed on the big screens and we were treated to some serious carnage. After all the animals had been exhausted, we went to get some breakfast and have a little nap. I went back in to the Old Town in the afternoon and took in the festival atmosphere before meeting up with the Topdeckers. We wandered around before settling at Greg's favourite bar - Bar Gaucho to dance the night away to the street bands. After that we went to see the fireworks again before ending another jam packed day.
Just riding the bull
Just riding the bull5.45am. Again. We went in and got some prime seats again and I waited anxiously hoping that Ben would come out the other end safely. After the run, I was scanning the arena, and saw his face, no longer a boy, but a man. Haha. The steers were released, and it was even more epic than the day before. One even decided to jump the safety fence into the crowd! We headed back for breakfast and I had a nap before heading back in again. I stumbled upon a way cool band - La Rana Mariana and I bought their CD. The group then met up for a sit down dinner to say goodbye before we went in to the Old Town for the closing ceremony, saw the final fireworks display and then danced the night away.
2pm. Wait what?! Once I recovered from the shock of such a massive sleep in, Ben and I just spent the afternoon strolling around, having gelato and a picnic in the park. The guy at the hostel reception also told us that we had been on TV the night before, check it out! <http:></http:>
Another early morning to catch the train to Barcelona. We shacked up at Creative Alternative Youth Hostel and set off to introduce ourselves to the city. We walked down La Ramba, the main drag and got some AWESOME felafel and eventually ended up at the beach. Yay. We then went to the Citudel park and the Arc du Triomf before going back to the hostel. That night, Al, the hostel guy, took out a bunch of backpackers to the Raval Music Festival for a fun night of music.
Next day I headed off by myself while Ben had a little sleep in to see the Gaudi architecture Barcelona is so famous for. I saw Casa Batilo, Passeig de Gràcia and Sagrada Familia, where I met Francisco who gave me a little personal tour of the cathedral and gardens! I made my way back via Placa Rial and the Barcelona Cathedral to meet up with Ben. We headed up to Montjuic, where we wandered around, then went to the Magic Fountain. Wow. We met up with Hampus, out Swedish friend, then went to the Big Bang jazz jam session for an awesome night out. I even got to get up on stage! Woo!
Ben and I made the journey up the top of Barcelona the next day - Gaudi's Guell Park. It was pretty amazing. We perched ourselves on the edge of the path and slurped on some watermelon while taking in the views. Then we got our tourist on and saw some buskers, art and Gaudi's house. 
Gaudi's houseIn the afternoon we migrated hostel then went back into town to see a Flamenco show which was pretty damn amazing. We finished the day off at La Fonda with some awesome paella and Sangria (which was significantly better than San Fermin's 'worlds greatest sangria', surprisingly : P).
Gaudi's houseIn the afternoon we migrated hostel then went back into town to see a Flamenco show which was pretty damn amazing. We finished the day off at La Fonda with some awesome paella and Sangria (which was significantly better than San Fermin's 'worlds greatest sangria', surprisingly : P).My last day in Spain was spent at the hostel laying around the pool working on my non existent tan, reading and recovering from an epic week and a half in a country which doesn't sleep. It has definitely been the best start imaginable to my Summer holidays!
