Predictable Barcelona

Some Musings About Barcelona

Two years ago, I bounced around northeastern Spain with twenty something teenagers. It was so much fun the first time, I decided to do it again with another group of students.

The cold, wet, nippy weather followed us from Omaha to London, and then jumped on the plane to Barcelona.

Checking Up on Gaudí’s Work with Conchi

In only two years since the last visit with students, there was noticeable progress on Antoni Gaudí’s Basílicia de la Sagrada Familia.

Conchi was our guide last time, she liked us so much, she decided to be our guide again too. Times have unfortunately changed since then because of the economic crisis, Spain’s unemployment rate is hovering around 26%.

Well Parc Guëll, You Look Well

We climbed on the local transport to take us to Parc Guëll. Along the way, I talked with a retired elementary teacher. Oddly enough, some of her concerns as a teacher in Spain reflect some of the same ones in my high school. She also felt strongly that the New Mexican education system needs to be reformed . . . immediately.

It’s a small world. Walking into Parc Guëll, we ran into another group of students from our high school touring Europe. There was only enough time for high fives, as their Italian guide, arms and hands flailing, rushed them back to their chartered bus.

The women of the night situated on La Rambla are just as aggressive as ever. When she just wouldn’t take no for an answer, I gave her Matthew Pepper’s phone number.

The culmination of our trip was our final stop in Valencia which proved to be the most profound for our students in Europe.

Next stop – Valencia