Euro(work) trip--Barcelona

My time in Barcelona was absolutely fantastic--the weather was ideal and it was always sunny; the Spanish food and wine were a pleasure for the palette; I was able to speak the local language and enjoy engaging in good conversation with locals (I loved speaking Spanish again!); and, on my tiny bit of free time, I was able to walk the city, and, just as in Amsterdam, take it all in.

Although I loved the architecture in Amsterdam, there is something very special about Barcelona--it is a breathtaking city. Architecturally, I think Barcelona is my favorite city and reminded me of Paris. I think the reason Barcelona is so special and unique is it's palpable Mediterranean feel, with the water and beach right there. Also, all of Gaudi's architecture really is inspired by nature, so you feel more connected to it than you do in other urban spaces where you can forget nature exists at all. There are also an incredible amount of green spaces where you can actually forget you're in a city. Montjuic, where a lot of the Olympic facilities are is like this; as is the Parc Ciutadella. In addition, the Parc Guell feels like a Mediterranean escape, like you're actually in the country-side of Greece, not in urban Barcelona.

Like Amsterdam, Barcelona has hundreds of little streets and alleyways to explore; cafes to try, sweets to taste and fashionable shops to indulge in--I bought a gorgeous pair of leather boots. I did as much as I could when I wasn't working, though this was difficult. Running in the morning was a great way for me to explore the different neighborhoods and much more enjoyable than running on a treadmill in Bangkok.

The conference I attended was incredibly interesting, covered an array of topics in conservation like water, eco-tourism, sustainable agriculture, and also topics in energy, sustainable development (poverty alleviation) and scientific studies in biology, zoology, chemistry, economics and many many other fields. I met an amazingly diverse group of people from places like Jordan, South Africa, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Spain, Portugal, Denmark, Zimbabwe, the US, UK, the list goes on.

Overall, it was a wonderful experience, both personally and professionally. Here are some snapshots from my trip, enjoy!

The community space outside the conference center, "El Forum"

The reflective walls of the conference building at night

Ted Turner speaking at the conference in an ecotourism seminar--he ended up sitting right in front of me!

Sign of the conference that I attended (IUCN World Conservation Congress)

Interior of the modern, environmentally-friendly conference center, "El Forum," where I spent most of my time

Barceloneta (the beach) with a view of the Olympic Stadium statue

Boats in the harbor by Barceloneta

Building art in El Raval

Walking around in El Raval

Inside the Museum of Contemporary Art

At the end of Las Ramblas leading into Colon square near the water

The famous lizard statue at the entrance of the Parc Guell

Gaudi-style bench in the Parc Guell

Inside the Parc Guell

View from atop the Parc Guell

The Casa Mila, another Gaudi work

Looking up at the Sagrada Familia

Inside the Sagrada Familia


The stained glass in the Sagrada Familia

The whole view of the Sagrada Familia

City living in Barcelona

Las Ramblas

Las Ramblas

Interior of the Barcelona Cathedral

Gaudi architecture in L'Eixample