The train from Perpignan, France to Barcelona was slow, even for a border crossing. It took nearly four hours to travel about one hundred fifty kilometres. It is not smart to arrive late in the day; even in late May, many of the IHA hostels and independent pensions are full.

I met two other backpackers just after leaving the train station, Garth and Helen. We went to find somewhere to stay together. After seaching door to door in the Old Town, we decided on the "New York Hostel", which was basic, but inexpensive and had room. There are many hostels in the Old Town, and if you walk around and aren't too picky, you can find a place to stay. It is located in block just north of the Passeig Colom, the road just before the harbour.

Passeig Lluis Companys
toward the Arc de Triomf

View of the city from the
Castell de Montjuïc

There are many sights in Barcelona and it is a great city to experience the local lifestyle, such visiting coffee shops, tapas bars or markets. La Rambla is a street of entertaining buskers and street performers, and is always full of people.

Journal, May 29: "La Rambla is very alive at night. Mimes, and a little singing, guitar playing, pan pipe playing spanish band."

If you like Gaudi, this is the city to visit. His Sagrada Familia, Parc Güell, Palau Güell and many other buildings are worth visiting.