A City For The Senses

My love for Spain first blossomed during the 2006 World Cup, when my age was still a single digit. My sister had developed an infatuation for Spain's highly favoured striker "El Nino" otherwise known as Fernando Torres. Naturally, little sister learnt from big; and because she supported the Spanish team, so did I. I eventually came to familiarise myself with all the players, their positions, their strengths, and their Achilles heels. By extension, my knowledge about their country ballooned beyond tapas, bullfighting, and the famous afternoon siesta. My sister and I yearned to visit this fabled country (well, at least in our books, it was). After years of wishful thinking, my parents finally relented. And so, our little gang of four packed our bags for an adventure to the charming city of Barcelona.

By this time my sister's infatuation with Torres (and that of mine with Fabregas) had simmered down to "regular" adoration. But of course our stay wasn't without reminders of the slight obsession we had Residents of Barcelona hung banners, mainly of La Pulga aka Lionel Messi - evidently the pride and joy of many Barcelona natives.

Let me stop myself, lest I fall into another tirade reminiscent of my teenage fangirl years and ramble on about Casillas' clean sheets - and his rugged good looks. Let's move on, shall we.

Barcelona is a haven for the heavy eaters, art lovers, history buffs, and architecture geeks alike. Everywhere you turn, every crevice you come across, has something unique. The Catalonian city has preserved its heritage exceedingly well. To say the old town is a beauty is indeed an understatement. But nestled in certain corners of this medieval city are modern yet classic installations , the Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelone (MACBA) is one of them.

MACBA boasts a minimalistic interior, but that is also its grandeur. The way the morning light falls perfectly into the walls, the echoing murmurs of museum-goers... There's something very compelling about MACBA that makes you want to stay there for as long as you can.

Right below our Airbnb were rows of quaint shops that provided for one's daily needs. We had every kind of shop at our disposal - shabby eateries, a bakery as ancient as the lady who owns it, grocers with fruits by the dime, meat shops with freshly sliced prosciutto, and my personal favourite: an antique shop selling artefacts dating back to the 19th century. Pictured above is a little diner where we spent many a breakfasts at, chugging down hot coffee and listening to the blare from the wall-mounted TV.

The old town of Barcelona is essentially a huge cluster of alleyways. There was always something new to be discovered with every turn. Staying in the older neighbourhood meant coming across picturesque corners everywhere. I particularly love how the district is so unpretentious in its exterior - there was no need for any gilding at all. If Singapore were a young lady whose features are refined and enhanced by a skilled hand of make-up, then Barcelona is the woman who ages more and more gracefully through the years.

My sister is an architect post-graduate student; naturally, we had to visit some of Spain's most iconic architecture spots. The place pictured above is the Barcelona Pavillion. This was where architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe debuted the popular Barcelona Chair during the 1929 International Exposition. The Pavilion is kept simple, with details lying in textures and variations of the same colour palette. For something built nearly a hundred years ago, it is surprisingly timeless.

Plaça Reial in all its regal grandeur. This square is most famous for featuring lampposts designed by a young Gaudí. A famed architect and staunch Catholic, Antoni Gaudí's best-known legacy is his distinct architectural style. His works draw inspiration from nature itself, therefore they appear to have curves and no sharp corners - but within each detail, perfect symmetry is created.

The Sagrada Familia is one of his most significant works. Construction started in 1882, and is slated to be completed in 2026! (Just in time for the 100th anniversary of Gaudí's death.) Each pillar, each sculpture, and each ledge, is inspired by the very flora and fauna that surrounds us. The brilliance of the church is like no other, and it is certainly refuge for religious seekers and history lovers alike. Gazing up at the expansive ceiling gave me a feeling of utter wonder. In my books, Gaudi was an architectural genius ahead of his time, and it would be many more years before someone can design another building as iconic as the Sagrada Familia.

Spain was a brilliant way to conclude the year. Creating our own itinerary was the perfect solution to exploring the city and meeting new locals everyday. Amongst my takeaways, some of the most significant include my newfound love for Spanish cuisine and appreciation of Modernism architecture. Oh, and also, my reignited love for Spanish football - we managed to tote tickets to a Real Madrid match AND witness Ronaldo score twice!

As the saying goes, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do". When in Spain, it was only right to follow one of its best known cultures. On the stroke of midnight, we stuffed 12 grapes in our mouths as a Spanish way of embracing the new year. I'd like to think  Torres would've been rather proud.