I studied in Madrid in college, and I always considered it to be the more staid, older sibling to the younger, artsy Barcelona. When I traveled Europe after business school, I got to know Barcelona a little better – it was a mature city in its own right, with no need for my sibling comparison. And so, I was thrilled to go back to Barcelona a couple of years ago with a girlfriend for her milestone birthday. I knew we’d have a great time exploring the art, history, and natural wonder of this unique city on the Balearic Sea.
I admit I’m a big fan of Gaudi’s distinctive style. I love to look at the angles and structure of his buildings, and somehow I always buy a piece of jewelry with his modernist style. The pictures don’t really do the art justice – I find it difficult to capture the rationale behind the placement of each wave, window and arch. His work certainly puts the city on the map, but it’s not the only beautiful thing to see there.
In some ways, Barcelona feels like a collection of sister villages, with every neighborhood displaying a unique personality. NYC has neighborhoods too but somehow feels like a cohesive whole – Barcelona feels different. This isn’t a slight on the Spanish art capital at all; rather it’s flattery regarding their ability to keep the peace among such varied identities. It’s like the cozy patchwork quilt that the neighborhood grandmother knit just for you.