Starbucks invades Europe.

Travelling solo is proving to be difficult at times. But with the recent Starbucks invasion through Europe, a familiar, comforting place for independent North American travelers has been created. The first Starbucks that popped into Europe was way back in 1971 in Zurich, Switzerland, and today there are hundreds all over the EU. I mean, I have already been to 3, just in Barcelona.

But is this invasion so bad? Or is in an invasion at all? I took it upon myself to Google the situation, and found that the only place that really had issues was France. No surprise there- the creators of espresso and a cigar for breakfast, while standing at the bar. France has a completely different coffee drinking culture than the 'American' grab-and-go. Typically the French enjoy their leisurely coffee time, inside a familiar worn cafe... instead of the paper cup on the run that I'm used to. Even so, I was definitely one of the very few tourists in all of the many Starbucks I have recently visited in both France and Spain.
I'd say the over-priced fad is growing, and for me- I don't like my Starbucks to-go. I love the option of sitting in their 'cafe' like sitting areas and leisurely sipping at my coffee. Maybe it is more European than they put it out to be.

So by my 4th day in Barcelona, the sun had fell away, the wind picked up and I was getting bored of people watching. Who would have thought? I think it was the lack of sunshine to be honest. So, giving up on analyzing the hilarious tourists and fashionable Spaniards, I found myself at the Aquarium. Paying too much to get into a child oriented museum turned out to be okay, I actually really liked it! I spent just over an hour (very small aquarium apparently) fish watching.
With all this time in my own head, and an extensive playlist of Glee hits strumming through my headphones, I started to think of the fish like I would think of people in my 'people watching'. Although, going from a huge market of extremely large fish on pile of ice to the aquarium was probably something I should have reconsidered...

Watching all the different fish kind of made me laugh.. I found myself watching one for a while, and trying to decide what it was doing or thinking. I must be going crazy, but yes this is what I did. The big round shark tank (and other fish that no one really cares about) was like a huge roller derby. The big silver fish (sorry no idea what they were :P), and all the other smaller fish were swimming in sequence with some sort of weird rhythm around and around. All the while the sharks patrolling like bouncers above, it was pretty hilarious, for me anyways..

Finding Nemo! 

Even though I went to play Dr. Suess's, Red Fish Blue Fish for a while, I still found myself fully aware of the other fish gawkers around me. A school group, a pushy father and his daughter, a short couple.. we all payed to look at some fish in tanks. Makes me wonder if the fish gawk back at us somehow, analyzing every little thing about us. I probably looked ridiculous checking out those lionfish- so cool.


Barcelona to me is Gaudi. When I think of Barcelona I think of Gaudi, and that is what I loved about this city. Parc Gaull, Sagrada Familia, and all the other fantastic art pieces hidden all over the city filled my days here. He must have been quite an interesting person, some of this stuff is so weird, and incomplete. While I was strolling through the Parc Gaull, all I could think of was some sort of Dr. Suess fairyland. It was incredible and so funky... and I recommend a trip to everybody. 

Sagrada Familia

All in all I had a great time in Barcelona, from the incredible architecture right down to the old men playing Bocce in the park. As for food, I ate a lot of bread, cheese and Starbucks.. :P Sorry to disappoint. I found Barcelona didn't have much for a specialties in food though either, it felt like a solid grasp on seafood and then influences from everywhere surrounding. There was so much variety: pasta, pizza, sushi and of course all the main Spanish dishes like Paella. I certainly ate well. 


Now after a big dinner of yogurt, toast and apple... I am ready for bed! I am back in France now, in Marseille, and it is my plan to catch up on my writing and my eating! 


Again, from the French, Bonne Nuit! shannon xx