Arrived mid-afternoon after a chaos of flights. The airport tram deposited me downtown faster than expected. Walked for three hours without direction, just following narrow streets and the occasional glimpse of water. Found a tiny bar with a blind cat and a woman making croquetas by hand.
Sagrada Familía is overwhelming. Spent two hours standing in the nave just breathing. The light through the stained glass makes your eyes feel different. Everyone speaks about Gaudí but nobody mentions how quiet it is inside — even with crowds.
Ate jamón ibérico at midnight standing at a counter with construction workers. It tasted like everything I’d been missing. Park Güell was too crowded but beautiful in a chaotic way. Made sketches of mosaic patterns (none very good).