18th Birthday Trip: Spain
- LoAroundTheGlobo
- Oct 13, 2019
- 4 min read
Updated: May 3
Summer 2013
I had been studying Spanish consistently since 6th grade and my dear friend, Marta, happens to be from Madrid. She was a foreign-exchange student in my high school and we became very close during the year she spent in my hometown of Ashland, Virginia. As a high school graduation/18th birthday celebration, I set out to visit my soul sister in Spain for about 10 days.
She and her dad picked me up from the Madrid airport and I stayed at their home in the suburbs of Madrid for the first half of the trip. Marta and I spent time exploring the city, seeing all the historical plazas, famous cathedrals, governmental buildings, and cobblestone marketplaces that it has to offer. We spent time with Marta's friends and her then-boyfriend, Sergio, and his friends and doggie. One day we ventured to El Retiro Park where we watched street performers and went paddle-boating in the balmy August heat.
Other days, we hung out with Marta's friends in various parks around the city and relaxed while sipping drinks on rooftops overlooking the beautiful capital. Marta's dad was as sweet and kind-hearted as she'd described, and I was so thankful that her family opened their home to me during my time in Madrid. Nonetheless, we set out for Barcelona for the remainder of the trip; there, we stayed with Marta's two cousins.
Barcelona was an absolute blast -- it has such a different vibe from Madrid. While in Barcelona, we set out to explore Park Guell, but while on the metro we noticed an elderly woman who seemed disoriented and for all intents and purposes, alone. So Marta and I approached her as we got off the metro, and she explained that she's French and was having trouble navigating to Park Guell because of her broken-Spanish. We offered to guide her there since that was our destination too, but once we arrived to the area, she insisted we carry on without her; however, we kept becoming mesmerized in conversation with her and ended up meandering through the entire park at her pace. She was so very thankful for us throughout the day and must've muttered "merci" a dozen times.
Park Guell is a really really beautiful place and the mosaic work Guadi did there is truly captivating. Beyond the actual artwork embedded throughout the park, the views are breathtaking and you're able to really get an idea of this beachside metropolis in all its glory.
We also saw La Sagrada Familia, the beach/Barceloneta, and Casa Batllo during our adventures through this landmark city of the Catalonia region. One of my all-time favorite travel moments was experiencing the "Magic Fountain" lights and water show at the world-renowned Olympic plaza overlooking all of Barcelona. We packed a small picnic and enjoyed the show that included coordinated lights and water fountains in this gorgeous park area perched above the city. It was such a surreal and mesmerizing experience, and one that really fueled the wanderlust fire that was already burning within me.
One of the best stories from the trip, however, happened the night of my 18th birthday, where Marta and I got all dolled up to go to one of the world-famous, multi-story clubs in this party town -- Opium. She and I were dancing on top of a speaker, jamming out to Wake Me Up, and the DJ kept instructing us to get down but we pretended not to hear as we kept on grooving/celebrating.
But as the beat dropped, as it does in any good Avicii song, this cannon behind us shot confetti everywhere, covering the back of us -- our legs, arms, shoulders, hair, everything. It was supposed to sprinkle over the crowd, which is why the DJ wanted us to get down from the speaker. We erupted in laughter as it happened, and got a nonchalant shrug from the DJ as he witnessed it all play out. Now every time I hear that song, it takes me back to that night, where my best friend and I didn't have a care in the world. I was 18-years-old feeling invincible, had just graduated high school and was starting college the very next week... to this day, time seems to stand still whenever I hear that tune.
The memories from this trip are imprinted on my heart and in my mind. From walking around with Marta, catching up on life, witnessing talented street performers, and finding ourselves in ridiculous moments while late-night navigating the metro, it was an absolutely incredible trip. It was a perfect mixture of history, language, culture, cuisine, friendship, and shenanigans.
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To Do or Not To Do?
Absolutely! Spain is a beautiful country that has so much to offer any tourist. There are plenty of historical and religious landmarks, amazing cuisines including paella, beautiful parks and plazas, awesome beaches and views, and incredible nightlife. It's truly a remarkable place and will always have a special place in my heart. I think everyone could and would have a great time exploring all that this country and these cities, respectively, have to offer.
I recommend visiting the touristy gems of Madrid and Barcelona, but be sure to also get off the beaten path -- I was lucky enough to have Marta showing me around, but ask locals for the best places to wine, dine, and explore. After all, the best grub may very well be waiting to be discovered at a teeny mom-and-pop shop that's currently siesta-ing.
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