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Good Evening from Espana,

The fireworks are currently going off outside the window with Espana scoring the first goal at the World Cup in South Africa. The apartments upstairs, downstairs, and people along the street are loudly cheering.

The time difference made waking up today slightly easier, up at 09:15. After eating a fresh pastry and orange juice, we visited the Barcelona Tourist location at PT Cataluna. We explored the city via the City Bus lines, sitting upstairs for the Blue line and downstairs for the red line. Lunch was near the University, yummy Gnochi with four cheese sauce was served up. This allowed us to see a variety of locations throughout the city,, from Gauti Catedrals to historical BCN Olympic Venue locations. Tomorrow we will return to a few to explore more in depth.

After exploring the city we returned back for a quick break, and allow the parents a nap. We returned back out for Gelato, exploring, and dinner. I enjoyed Mint Chip, Chocolate and Dulces De Leche Gelato.

After venturing through the Barcelona Catedral during mass, we wandered to grab Sangria in what I would call a Keebler Elf Pub, with small tables and all. We then went back to La Rambla to have dinner at the Plaza. The crowds began to form outside pubs, with 100?s of people sporting the flag of Espana in around them as a flag, in their shirts, jackets, pants, etc. Dinner was an enjoyable hamburger, and the night was very entertaining with friends and family. The walk back yielded a person “celebrating” with my father while slipping his hand in his pocket to try to steal his belongings. Luckily, we saw from behind, and he was able to quickly see what the persons motives were.

The M80s are going off outside my window, Congrats to Espana for winning The World Cup, 2010!!! I would imagine a great sense of pride and celebration is starting throughout the city as I type this at 23:05.

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We explored the city of Barcelona until midnight when we returned back to the apartment. The city continued to be very alive upon our return, in a small resemblance of Vegas, asking if I wanted to attend a party, or club, etc.

Yesterday was a beautiful day in the city, we walked along Las Ramblas to the waterfront, from there we walked throughout the various areas. The beach is very beautiful here, with very large crowds, and some bodies that would make you opt to hold off eating for a while (or forever).

We enjoyed sharing some tapas and Sangria at a restaurant along the water. Along the way back, Papa was craving a sweet, McDonalds was a quick, but yummy snack (cheeseburger too).

After falling asleep by 1, Papa woke me to ask if I had planned on waking up at all today, being it was 12:20.

Up and showered now, half the day gone, but it’s vacation! Mom2 landed at BCN and we will be meeting up with her shortly.

What major city would not have street fairs, reminds me of 3rd Street Promenade.

Daniel along La Rambla in Barcelona.

The Farmers Market.

A monument for Christopher Columbus.

A pristine yacht in the harbor.

The beach in Barcelona at 21:00.

Sangria and Tapas along the Mediterranean.

Daniel along the beachfront area at sunset (21:45).

A little late in the day, but around 13:00 is a good time to be dressed and ready to head out!