More photos tomorrow.

This is the toasted bread with olive and tomato. And the egg with potatoes.

Breakfast and me.

Starting to realise that my face is getting swollen. Think its jus not used to the new environment.

And how cool it is to write No. in this manner!

Its great to be able to wear jus the dress! Its 22.5 degrees (see background).

Crossing the road

Me in the super duper zuper auper cool lift!

I like the walls, the gates...

I think this is Barcelona Cathedral, very near to Barcelona Dames, the apartment.

Photos will come later. Yesterday can be horrible. And I left the office without sending my blog entry draft home so there wasnt anything about Europe.

29 June 2007 Barcelona: Pink favourite with 5kg

Slow start to the day. Its more of slowing down to observe the surroundings, and take photos. Especially since I am wearing the pink dress that I've bought yesterday- perfect excuse to take photos.

Which eventually is my favourite buy (top) for the trip. Other favourite buys include my shiny navy Harrods bag, the I-am-so-proud-of-Barcelona-big-tray-of-biscuits-that-went-with-me-to-Paris-then-London-and-Bath-and-didnt-crumble.

The apartment is starting to look messy, with the drying of clothings by the heater and the littering of luggage. But still so comfortable.

What I like about Barcelona? I love the nice balcony, the nice wall, the nice designs of the building, the nice lights, the cooling air (as though the whole place is air conditioned).

Breakfast was Continent Spread and local set consisting of tomato/olive on toasted bread and Totato with egg. Continent spread is what we are familiar with, while the local food is something new again. I've never tasted it before so its another new taste for the taste buds. The bread is abit tough but it feels good to eat like a local. The potato and egg thing is quite interesting as well.

Walked down La Rambles and spotted Mercat St Joseph, one of the famous local market over here. Its more photo-taking and eye-opener times there. Its so colourful, lively and neat. It sells everything: from vegetables to drinks and fruits, to seafood and fishes and tapas. Gotten the dragon-fruit-with-coconut drink because it is bright pink in colour. Ended up it became another to-remembered drink, like the bright pink donut in Bangkok that tasted like Bangkok. Another tool for more photo taking and acting-how-yukes-the-drink-is-in-the-photos. Thought of buying some fresh ingredients for dinner. Didnt do that in the end as its uncertainty as to where we would be by night time.

Passed by Mercat de St Antoni by chance but its closed already. Sometimes random walking is as rewarding, if not more, as map nagvigating.

Then its Carrefour time. Even their trolley is another pro for photo taking! And to save money, I suggested buying the 5kg mineral water bottle. It was after much discussion that we decided on that. After much struggle, ended up buying the huge tray of biscuits. It was a tough choice since Barcelona is my first stop and I have so many more cities and days to go before landing Home.
How to carry that tray of biscuits is already a problem, let alone how not to break them. But still, a shopaholic's main concern is "I will regret if I dont buy it", and "I am here already, jus buy it".

And so the tray of biscuits followed me to Paris via Ryanair, then Eurostar to London and train to Bath and SQ Home. Without breaking into powder form. And they taste great! What a relief.

So its carrying of the 5kg of water along La Rambles, up the slope, which we decided to "reward" ourselves by resting at the parade ground. And in order to carry less of them, we decided to drink as much from it. So that explained the photos of me drinking from it by the street. After that its crossing of the parade ground, down the slope, cross the traffic lights, down the winding
narrow streets to the apartment.

Even when we were back at the apartment, photo taking with the 5kg of water bottle continued. *smucks*

We spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the area and walked to places that were not on our iternary. It can get a bit scary because I remembered we came to this place that looks like it isnt Barcelona. I supposed minority like the Blacks are concentrated in that area and our perception towards them could be biased but we were slightly scared. The place is rather sandy as well. In the end, we jus kept walking around aimlessly, while I listened to all the stories about how more scary Paris can be, how Liberty was such a horror and how I am going to survive my days in Paris. In the end, went over to look at the road signs to try to figure our way back without the metro. Which accidentally is so close to the familiar La Rambles. Took us so much effort to find our way back to the apartment jus because we so couldnt recognise which street to take.

After we crossed the road, I remembered that I wanted to lead because since I am going to be on my own for the rest of the trip, I might as well learn to put recognition skills to some good Use. In the end, at the turn of the pharmacy, I still made a wrong turn towards the longish pole rather than walk straight.

Despite all my efforts in recognising the way when we came out.

And do you know that, it makes me feel so unjust to be wrongly accused, to be pushed into some stories that some people wrote and to be judged in this manner. Now you know why I adore "respect". Dont jus always do things the way you want (and smartly think that this is the truth) onto others, because it gets super irritating (if you hadnt know). Not jus me that has this to say about you, but there are others who told me this of you as well. If only you are the last person left in the world, then go ahead with doing everything your way. Lastly, it should be my way to decide that I dont want it, not up to you to throw it away for me.

The last I will speak of/about you. Because for this, it is not difficult to know what I want.

After 23 days of challenges, new environment and excitement, I nearly forgot that life before all these Europing stuff is rather boring, quite aimless and pretty much the same every single day.
So after 23 days, life is back to the rather boring, quite aimless and pretty much the same every single day stage.

Jus that the trip photos that I send for developing is ready. Put some up at my cubicle and the whole place seems chirpy and happy.

I smiled, at those days when I wasnt alone, and when I was alone.

Whats next in life? Besides having to import all the yahoo albums to Flickr (super troublesome), and realised that I've only uploaded 200 over photos and 1 video among all that I have.

Felt as if I need more shopping, after getting presents for Mr & Mrs Jordi and Madam Lim (or known as Paris Chinatown lady), I went shopping. But didnt quite feel great. Shopping in Singapore seems boring, with mostly black and dark colours all over the place. I wish for Barcelona shopping, which makes me think if its a feasible idea to m-a-k-e it. I mean when you cant buy it (without getting onto a plane and stay awake for the next 14 hours before landing), you m-a-k-e it.

How feasible is it to want to own my own fashion label?

Super duper huge portion, but really nice. With a taste I never tried before.

Waiting... Hungry...

Super nice, super expensive!

28 June 2007 Barcelona: S$50 dinner

By evening time, around 6pm, we were hungry for dinner. And I dont mean tapas. During preparation, I read that people in Barcelona normally dont take dinner till 10pm. They normally have a drink or tapas at around 6pm. Being my first half day there, and for not used to having dinner at 10pm, we decided to jus go ahead for rice. Randomly picked a cafe, and ordered seafood paello for two, calamari (because the rice is taking so long to be served) and drinks (some soda with lemonade as there wasnt a Drinks Menu, so we followed suit what the people from the other table were having). We soon realised that each staff has his own duty, e.g. taking orders, serving food, and they would not cover duties of other staff even if they are free. Anyway the calamari was normal, but the seafood paello was served in a huge pan. So huge that I nearly vomitted after finishing half of it. It is not a taste that I recognised but I like what I put into my mouth.

The bill came, another shock. The drink alone costed S$7+ and the overall bill is S$50 (now, my memory is doing bad, I cannot remember is that for one, or for two).

Mum said that I've "bring the London weather home" because its been raining ever since I am Home. But at least its something that I didnt have to re-adapt. Maybe when you are home, raining no longer makes you feel t-h-a-t cold, t-h-a-t lonely and t-h-a-t sad as compared to when you are out there all by yourself.

I guess I should be better equipp with survival skills if I would to live by on my own. Though I know I wasnt believed to be so.

There might already be (family) holiday plans for next year, but I am not quite into Macy's shopping though. Alright, lets see if there c-o-u-l-d be two holiday plans next year. Mum has warned that she will Not allow me to go travelling on my own anymore. Haha.

If there is one thing I want to say today
I am sleeping well ever since I am Home, and I like that.

Eating Trident Splash strawberry and lime chewing gum from Barcelona.

Saw the Trident Splash ad on buses in Barcelona and glad that I bought them at a supermarket, because it seems weird that Carrefour Barcelona doesnt really have much local sweets.

JY said it is nice. The moment you bite into it, traces of lime burst from within the gums while the strawberry taste retains in the gum. But after chewing and chewing, it loses taste like all other chewing gums.

Does life loses taste after a while?

I played a game (again) yesterday.

If the lady in front of me will alight before me, then it means that ...

If any person on the row will alight before me and I got their seat, then it means that ...

It seems rather impossible that the lady in front of me will alight before me. Because she is busy reading her book and that is why I thought since it is an impossible implication, she is the best choice.

In the end, she gave up her seat one stop before mine.

Stop playing a trick on me.

Didnt feel like doing anything other than sleep.

My ankles hadnt stop hurting since I am back.

28 June 2007 Barcelona: La Rambles Shopping, the best so far

So I put down my luggage, changed into easy clothings for shopping and hit the streets. I remembered I felt insecured to leave my passport in the apartment or in my bag, but it looked weird to have them having over my neck. In the end, I left it in my bag but made sure I checked that it is still there each time I open my bag.

In fact, the sling bag that I am using has a little bag pinned onto it. I put all my valuables into the little bag and zipped it up. Jus in case they decided to cut open my sling bag, nothing will fall off from my bag to allow them to pick and run. Jus in case.

The colours of clothing excites me. Pink, yellow and green. Everywhere. Shopping has never been better. In fact even walking into the shops is a great thing to do, because the designs of the shops are a form of sight-seeing. And yes, buying things in pink is super duper easy. I am quite a fussy shopper. I dont buy black or green. I dont buy bags with round handles (only those with flat handles for easy carrying). I dont buy heels without strips. I dont buy stuff that I think make me look fat (in fact I went to a shop and tried over 10 pieces of clothing but jus couldnt get any because I think they make me look fat).

I remembered feeling that I should change out of the clothing that I was wearing. And yes, better shopping than HK. And its not their biggest mall, such as El Corte Ingles, that is great shopping. Its their local brands, small shops that are the jewel of all shops. Though it seems as if everyone who walks into El Corte Ingles walk out with their carrier bags.

Pain caused by the slippers from excessive walking and heavy shopping bags didnt deter more shopping.

My first (shared) meal in Europe is banana ice cream with hot waffles coated with chocolate (Euro1.25/person). Great.

And of course we got curious of the Chinese-looking word that we see almost everywhere- "Caixa". The cashier, the ATMS, the shops, even the chocolates carry this "Caixa" name. My guess is that it has something to do with cash, even though I am not quite sure if it means there is cash inside the chocolate. Other guesses include "Caixa" is a brand name. I came Home and searched the translation book belonging to Mr and Mrs Jordi. Because sometimes "Caixa" comes under "Caja" behind the cashier, so I checked the meaning of "Caja" was cash desk. This explained the photos with all the "Caixa" in them.

Not a Harry Potter fan, but my sister is, explaining the series of Harry-related photos.

Was drizzling but I went ahead to walk to the National Library. I think I would have never done that in the past. It reminded me of those times when I was in Europe all by myself, those days that drizzled and rained non-stop. But its much warmer in Singapore when it rained, at least no strong cold wind blowing at you. I smiled.

Wanted to borrow books on Sherlock Holmes because I didnt finish the book that the French guy lend me to read on the rail to London. I didnt know its that difficult to find. Couldnt even find one. So I borrowed two books written by two writers who went Europing on rail. Post Europe Depression.

And I feel like writing down every single bit of my Europe trip. Maybe I should start.

How come there is always sadness in me.

My wallpaper, is two photos of me, the two times that I am rather proud of myself for stepping foot onto Europe.

I used to use the song Home as my ringtone for family-related numbers. But I changed it to the loud ringing tone when I went Europe because I dont want to miss any of their calls. Now I am used to it.

So now I get it, the only times to not get used to things, would be when you keep travelling to a new city, when you keep moving ahead.

28 June 2007 Barcelona Dames: Excellent
Apartments in Barcelona Dames in Barcelona C/ Dames nº1

I love the apartment. Even though it took me many tries (and many days) before I could recognise my way back to the apartment, it is located jus 15 to 20 minutes away from the lively and you-can-get-anything-you-want La Rambles. Jus need to nagviate through some streets which you can see the Barcelona Cathedral, cross the road, walk up the slope, come to a huge parade ground, walk down the slope and there it is. I didnt know that the apartment is located "in the best part of the Gothic Quarter or centre of Barcelona ¨El Born¨ a place with special atmosphere, full of narrow, winding streets" until I go back to read the description from the website. It is also surrounded by cafes (not cheap) and little shops.

The most amazing thing about this apartment is that the lift is a private one that takes you directly to your apartment. So TCS-drama like. I love it especially when the lift opens, the cold air from the room greets me and I see my bed in front of me.

The apartment is small. Apart from the beds, a cupboard, a cabinet/desk, the small kitchen that cant take two person at one time, and the toilet, there is jus enough space for two chairs (to dry my clothings), a heater and some space for (littering) luggage. But its super duper enough for me. Small (and messy) and modernly elegant with white and teak brown being its main colours. Clean and fully equipped. Fridge, cooking utensils, tv (jus couldnt find the remote to switching on the TV but I supposed not knowing Spanish would not do us any better with the TV on), enough blankets and toilet rolls.

I like it when I could stand on my white-linen bed and look into the mirror above the bed. I like the green window that opens to the world outside. I like to draw the curtains down, I like to draw the curtains back. I like the little balcony and the fences. I like the washing basin and how there is another little balcony at the back of the kitchen. I like the private lift. I like how you can always open the other door and takes the stairs down. Jus like me when I was in the hurry. I jus fell in love with the place. And it makes me realise what they said were right: paying much more for a comfortable accomodation can really improve your mood during your holiday. I guess eventually it boils down to how much more, the maths.

I agreed that it could get a little noisy at night since it is surrounded by cafes underneath it. But I am totally fine with it, especially when great shopping tires you out, you dont really find it noisy. Plus, you probably need more adjustment to the fact that the sun doesnt set till around 9,10pm at night than the noise below. Whats more, I dont get disturb when the cafes open in the morning, often sleeping well into 9, 10am. Jus bring a eye mask and it will do you fine. It was one of the three most useful things I've brought along. The other two being mp3 files in my mobile phone and hair dryer.

The only thing I could thought of that this apartment lacks is there is only one plug above the heater and another in the toilet. It would be useful to be able to use the heater and charge the mobile phone at the same time. Oh and it doesnt come with a hair dryer but I think if I will bring along my own whenever I am in Europe *smucks*.

Lastly, I saw the review of the apartment on the website and agreed that the staff handling the check in/ check out is helpful, especially when she speaks good English and places faith in you.

I supposed there are other choices out there, but I would love to be back in the apartment when back to Barcelona.

The pictures I've taken as compared to as advertised... The apartment, other than smaller than you have imagined, is exactly the way it promises to be.

Everything looks the way it was being advertised... except the mess we created...

As advertised.

Yap, they look the same...except


So cosy..


Yap, great toilet...

As advertised.


Haha.


As advertised.

It really is the way it was, jus a little more tiny than imagined... but its more than good enough for stays

As advertised...

The way it said it will be...

As advertised...

I wrote an email to Aoxiang and Amy.

I wrote an email to Antoni.

I penned an email to Mr and Mrs Jordi.

I wrote an email to Vjollca.

Then. I wrote a peaceful email, hoping to be peaceful.

Suddenly I am anticipating for my next Europe holiday. *smucks*

When would that be. Next year?

Maybe I should wait till I have someone to go with me? I feel like paying my family to Europe. Oh.

Alright, enough photos (photo posting can get quite tiring). The entries will follow soon...

Picking up all the "Caixa" whenever I see them in Barcelona, which I think means cash/cash desk because from the translation book (belonging to Mr and Mrs Jordi) I could only find that "Caja" means "Cash/ cash desk". So why does the chocolate has the "caixa" word?

The big shopping mall, but thats all...

No I am not a Harry Potter fan. I never go beyond Page 2 of Book 1 but my sister is. So you will see alot of Harry from Barcelona to Paris to London to Bath.

Alright I will go find out what is "Caixa".

Bimbotic-ly colourful.

I love Barcelona streets... it has so much character.

The waffles on displays all look delicious!

Ice cream!

No more!

My first Europe (shared) meal: banana ice cream with hot waffles coated with rich chocolate. I think its Euro2.50 (S$5) and so my share's S$2.50. Great!

This parade ground is huge... but parade grounds in Paris can get much bigger, as if space isnt a problem. I think I feel so free in such a big space, but my digital camera feels inferior, for it jus couldnt capture the whole stretch.

At the parade ground...

Along the way to La Rambles...

Walking from Barcelona Dames...

In front of my barcelona apartment, Barcelona Dames... Its super modern and nice. Though small it has everything I need. Location is great, though it can get a little noisy at night, its walking distance from La Rambles. Show you the photos later.

Finally...!

The tunnels...

The platform...

The trains