We woke up to watch the final papal mass for w.y.d. On the tv. As we watched we showered and re packed all our belongings. After saying farewell to the lovely people of Hotal Argentina, we went out in search of a catholic church. All the ones we found had signs on them saying all masses are postponed until 7pm that evening, since everyone was at world youth day.
Deciding not to cry over spilled milk(and the small comfort it was to know that no one received the Eucharist at w.y.d. Because they got contaminated in the storm), we set back up the hill towards our friend Atocha station. Stopping briefly at a fruit stand, we purchased an avocado, 3 bananas, and an orange. Next we found a shaded street and sat outside with 2 caffe con leche, our favorite drink.
Newly caffeinated, we continued up into the square near Atocha station. We sat outside for a while, but when the sun finally hit us, we knew it was time to move. Soon we came upon a Starbucks. Yes yes yes, we know it's cliche, but here was the appeal, free wifi, and a bathroom. So, we hunkered down in the corner, typed on our devices in the air conditioning, use the bathroom to our hearts content, and had some more coffee.
By 3:30 we maneuvered through the returning w.y.d crowd to reach the station. This time we entered the opposed side then last time. We oooed and awed over the large ferns and palm trees located in the main gallery. so of course we walked through it. At the end of the line was a delightful turtle pond. Alli and Kait spent much time taking pictures of the turtles, but eventually came to their seances and proceeded onward. We camped out for a while under the large station sign, since the track we needed wasn't listed.
As soon as track 3 was listed we followed the signs to get there. After getting turned about and having to ask directions, proceed up escalators, through security, and back down an escalator...we arrived on the train platform. "We made it out of W.Y.D.!" cheered Alli.
We boarded the train and quickly found our assigned seats. Kait got up to help a middle aged woman lift and stack her heavy cumbersome suitcases into the luggage rack. the train ride its self was very pleasant. Alli tested out her camera skills with taking pictures of the Spanish country side on a moving train, as well as describing the geological formations she saw to Kaitlin with detailed reasoning why it looks the way it does now. Meanwhile, Kait played with her video editor on her ipad2.
Alli'a camera skills...
Once we docked we decided to get out footing before moving anywhere. Alli purchased a map and some dark chocolate, and we both sat down on the floor eating chocolate and trying to discern the map. After more foreign map skills, we headed outside determined to walk the 0.62 mile uphill to our hostel. We were tired of seeing more of cities underground then above.
Barcelona felt much calmer. As we strolled onward and upward, we pointed out more dogs to each other, a decorated alley, many funky stores, a cool park, and lastly our hostel. Check in was quick and easy and we proceeded upstairs to our 8 bed dorm room. We met a lovely French girl who was rooming with us, Alexandra, and Kait was excited to be able to speak some French with her. They both realized that they could understand more of each others language then they could speak, and smiled at the commonality.
We wanted to check into the interwebs so we grabbed our devices and headed downstairs to the common room. Once there, they discovered the only available outlets were currently in use, and deemed food finding more important. Alli took her stuff upstairs to lock up, and Kait stayed in the common room zipping out a couple quick responses from her iPad. While she sat there she met a Canadian, Lauren, who was traveling all throughout Europe by herself and with no detonate plan. She seemed charming and gave a glowing recommendation for florence, and couch surfing. Kait gave her suggestions in return, for her September trip to London(her favorite walk on the south bank). After the exchange of pins we bid her farewell and and headed out in search of food.
Feeling much freer without luggage we went to the park and played. We laughed at ourselves for being jealous of a dog who went the path over the water that we wanted to explore. We stumbled upon a restaurant and got potato frites and enselada. Alli was sad because she said the wrong thing she wanted.... But ate the fries anyway and washed it down with cervesa. We weren't picky, we just needed something to put in our stomach.
After dinner we decided to head towards the decorated street festival we had noticed earlier that day. "El Cel de Sants". We wandered down the alley...and it just kept going and going and going. Street after street of wandering people, old and young, bar hoppers and young families alike were enjoying this saysgathering. We wandered, following music, trying to search out the meaning of thus festival...but alas. The language barrier blocked us once again.
Starting to feel the exhaustion rolling in, we went back to the hostel. Set up camp in the common room and connected to the Internet. Immediately we were glad we had come when we did, because a bus load of W.Y.D. Pilgrims swarmed into the common area at that moment. For those of you who do not understand, when a group that is large. Comes into a place, it's best if you already have yourself seated and comfortable, otherwise you will be trampled.
As the long day drew to an end, we tip toed back up to our dom where everyone else was asleep. Shuttering at the loud creek the door made when we opened and closed it, we settled down into our bunks for the night and passed out.
It felt good to rest.
<3 Kait and Alli
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