Diving into the Gothic Quarter

Day 2 of my study abroad classes started with Professor Marc Rocas entertaining us with his thick Spanish accent that was hard to grasp at times, but he was humorous as he introduced us to Management 300, Business Organization and Behavior.

After two and a half hours, we were released into the liveliness of the streets. Some friends and I strolled through the famous marketplace Mercat de La Boqueria located on the massive touristy boulevard La Rambla in the heart of the city. I saw La Boqueria the day before when we had our group tours, but as I walked in for a deeper look I realized with a shock that we were merely scratching the surface.

I could not believe my eyes! This is the daintiest looking marketplace I have ever seen. Heaps of fresh vegetables and meat are clearly a magnificent feast for our eyes. Juicy fruit pieces were cut and neatly packaged in plastic cups provided with tiny forks. Strawberry, watermelon, pineapple, mango, papaya, coconut, blueberry, kiwi and cherry...etc. It is a gorgeous palette of colors waving tantalizing at passersby.

The seafood section was absolutely beautiful! Fat salmon and mounds of shrimp in rich shades of pink and orange lay peacefully in front of different stands, Octopus, oysters, crabs, prawns, clams, tuna shined and gleamed on top of the ice that stretched all the way down the lane.

We were swooning for joy and fascination as we gazed at every nook and cranny of the marketplace, overwhelmed by the colors and delightfully surprised by how spacious, well-lit and clean the environment is. I don't think I would ever get tired roaming here everyday after class.

I spent the rest of the afternoon exploring the Gothic Quarter on my own, stumbling into random alleyways and finding myself getting really lost while trying not to stand out too much as a tourist. My ethnic appearance doesn't help me blend in at all, since Asians are absolutely the minority here, and I could only catch a glimpse of one or two popping every once in a while on the streets. It gives me the slight sense of apprehension but thrilling excitement as well, feeling like I am suddenly plopped into a totally different realm surrounded by people who look nothing like me.

I arrived at the Catedral de Barcelona again, this time walking right up to the magnificent stone building and arching my head my back to gaze the gothic style carvings. There was too much going on and I wished I had the architectural knowledge to understand what I was looking at. Nevertheless, I felt the overpowering admiration and awe as the 14th century old cathedral loomed gigantically before me, the high seat of the Archbishop of Barcelona, Spain.

I finally located a public library well-hidden inside a narrow street after asking nearby cafes and souvenir shops (people are quite nice and will try to help you figure out where you needed to go). From the outside, you would not have the slightest idea that it was a library. Inside, it was rather old and vintage but cozy and inclusive. This would be a nice refuge during the blazing hot afternoons in the city.