Sure, Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia is one of the most famous attractions in Barcelona and the world. La Rambla, on the crazier side of things, is a 1.7 km pedestrian mall located in the center of the city and lined with trees, shops and Sangria… and therefore craziness.
It doesn’t take long before it sweeps you off your feet and throws you right into the intoxicating, fast-paced energetic, party atmosphere that Barcelona is famous for.
Image via Wikipedia
The usual sights and sounds are easy to see and find. But Barcelona’s magic goes deeper than the tangible. Its spirit and soul are on display everywhere; and it’s the Spanish people themselves who illustrate that more than any monument.
In most cities, you have to know where to look for it. But in Barcelona, it’s in front of you at every turn, unmistakable and unprovoked!
Case in point, this is what I and a bunch of other equally surprised tourists witnessed walking down a narrow back alley in the middle of the day, in the middle of the city.
So sudden, spontaneous and beautiful was this display of pure art, expression and passion that passerby’s immediately stopped in their tracks to witness and absorb a moment that illustrated the essence of Barcelona and of Spain itself.
We all collectively knew that no line up, entrance fee, Gaudi-inspired architectural wonder or even another pitcher of Sangria could replace this moment so rarely seen (if at all) anywhere west of the Atlantic.
If anything, the dancing on display made the women in the audience, single and/or married, probably want to extend their stay in Barcelona for the chance to meet their very own Latin Lover. Who can blame them?
A different story with the men in the audience. For them it probably made them either want to sign up for dance lessons, which they probably didn’t do when they got back home, or even more insecure about their fading inability to look like these guys physically, dance like these guys rhythmically and attract women like these guys both physically and rhythmically. Who can blame them?
In the end, the silhouette of dance, of motion, of expression and of love itself was a beautiful sight to see. Barcelona wears its soul on its sleeve.
What did it do for me? Sure, it made me want to sign up for dance lessons, which I still haven’t done, but it also made me appreciate the city, the country and the spirit of the people even more. And for this reason alone, I will always return to Barcelona.
But don’t get me wrong, seeing a completed Sagrada Familia wouldn’t hurt either.
Jim Bamboulis has held several posts over the past 12 years, including National Sportscaster, Food Host and Writer, Talk Show Host, Olympic Researcher and Travel Film-maker.
Born and raised in Toronto, Jim learned early on that the combination of travel and food meant ultimate living. Combining his insatiable creative spirit and desire to document his travels, Jim took his unshakable travel bug and set off to explore. Add the fact that Jim also grew up in a Greek household and he learned that not only does Mom always make the best meals, but as importantly learned the importance of understanding and appreciating the countless beautiful cultures and the integral role food plays in every corner of the World.
In August 2009, Jim founded Travel Mammal, a site that brings together his travels and experiences (both good and terrifying) with the hope that others are inspired to share their own. We are all storytellers, especially when it comes to travel and food. He urges everyone to be inspired, explore and love the world and the people that share it with us. Or in other words, Live to Travel and travel to live!
