INSPIRATION: PARKA

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I think I have a new obsession: Parkas! 

I already have one for summer, but now I'm thinking of getting one for the winter times as well. I just love how you can combine them in so many different ways. For me, this is the perfect winter jacket, so now all I'll have to do is find a parka that suits my taste :)

How do you like parkas?

BARCELONA: LA MERCÈ

As I've already mentioned, I had been in Barcelona during the festival La Mercè, which meant that the city was crowded with millions of people celebrating and enjoying all the great parties that took place during that weekend. When my friend told me that there would be a public holiday in Barcelona on Monday, I wasn't amused at all at first because public holidays always mean that all shops, museums, sightseeing attractions, etc. are closed. What I didn't know back then was that La Mercè would be so much cooler than doing sightseeing stuff! :) There were parades, human towers, free concerts (The Kooks!), parties everywhere, a light show at La Sagrada Família, children activities, and so much more. What I liked most was the light show - such a stunning and touching moment! But you'll see yourself in the pictures :)  

stage in front of the Cathedral - there were concerts and parties everywhere!

 

me and Simon at Las Ramblas

there were artists who had done these artworks using only natural supplies like flowers or wood

so beautiful!

alternative ways of keeping your bike ;)

being quite the hipsters and discovering Club-Mate Cola (which tasted quite good!)

advertising Club-Mate Cola :-D

houses

people partying at an electronic festival

at Montjuïc

 

most amazing show at La Sagrada Família!

BARCELONA: MONTJUÏC

On my third day in Barcelona I met up with two Couchsurfers, Simon from Germany and Russian Alex living in Australia, and we decided to walk up the hill Montjuïc, from where we would have a fantastic view over the city. You can either walk, take the gondola lift or take the funicular (which we did) to reach the top of the hill. During my stay in Barcelona I had the pleasure of being able to join La Mercè, an annual festival, and therefore the city was crowded with millions of people (there will be a separated post about La Mercè). It had so much fun with Simon and Alex and I really enjoyed this day, as you can see in the pictures!

outfit and view over Barcelona in the background!

Simon :-D

on top of Montjuïc

Simon, me, Alex in front of the fortress

parts of the fortress

harbour and fortress

harbour

Simon and me

people celebrating La Mercè and view over Barcelona - amazing, isn't it?

that huge building is La Sagrada Família

I love how the sun brightens up this scene

Simon, Alex, and me - Barcelona in the background

a tower

on top of the fortress

I wish I still had this tan!

Port Vell

Simon was so tired, he'd been laying around everywhere :-D

the fortress' entrance

little waterfall at Montjuïc

Next post coming up: La Mercè

TIMBERLAND

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Der Winter rückt immer näher und dieses Jahr würde ich mir gerne neue Winterschuhe kaufen, bevor mich die eisigen Temperaturen und der Schnee erreichen. Bereits letztes Jahr hatte ich ein Auge auf die Timberland Authentics Boots geworfen und daher überlege ich im Moment, ob ich mir die Stiefel kaufen soll. Allerdings kann ich mich nicht für eine Farbe entscheiden, daher meine Frage an euch:

Welche Stiefel gefallen euch besser? Wheat Nubuck oder Taupe Nubuck?

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Barcelona: Casa Batlló

After having seen La Sagrada Família I decided quite spontaneously to visit Casa Batlló, a stunning house, which was restored by Gaudí and Jujol. Since I've been to Barcelona, I'm a huge admirer of Gaudí's works, and the very first moment I entered Casa Batlló, I knew that I would love this remarkable looking building. One thing you'll notice immediately is that there are no straight lines anywhere to be found in the house, but rather walls and doors that remind you of waves. Unfortunately, my camera's battery died during my visit and I therefore had to use my iPhone's camera, so you might notice quality changes.

Casa Batlló

entrance hall

stairs

the problem with travelling alone is that you always have to ask strangers to take photos of you - and sometimes they just fail at doing so ;)

I love all the lights, they create such a magical atmosphere

you could sit and have a break here

entry to the outdoor area

the back of the house

so typically Gaudí!

museum store

stairway

at the roof

view from the roof over the city

doesn't the roof look like the back of a dragon or dinosaur?

such magical stairs and halls!

Casa Batlló at night - beautiful, isn't it?

 Casa Batlló is definitely worth a visit, especially if you love modernistic art or buildings. I have never seen a house as unique and remarkable as this work by Gaudí, so if you come to Barcelona, don't leave out Casa Batlló - I promise you won't regret it!