A Day In Barcelona: Messi Memories

View Of Barcelona From My Flight’s Window

I woke up to a mild headache. Packed my things and brought my luggage all the way down to the basement for check-out. Catch a bus from rijksmuseum to airport. While commuting in bus and waiting at the airport, I was already missing Amsterdam. I wish I had more days to visit volendam, marken, explore Haarlem, catch a film at local theatre, try some more authentic local cuisines.
My flight lands in Barcelona before scheduled time. Unlike Amsterdam, most people speak No to little English in Barcelona. I learnt few spanish words such as Hola, gracias, por favor, perdon, lo siento, vamos… just to get by. Apart from Spanish, Catalan is also the official language of Catalonia region. Barcelona is capital of Catalonia. Everything is written in Catalan and Spanish only. Even the train announcements were in Spanish and Catalan only. I catch a train from airport to Passeig de Gracia station. After getting down at Passeig de Gracia station, I decided to walk for 20 minutes to my host’s place instead of taking a metro. While walking the streets i get familiar with city’s Infrastructure which is quite different from Amsterdam. It was cold but nowhere near Amsterdam. This is one of the reasons why i choose Barcelona with Amsterdam because of its relatively less cold weather. After reaching the neighbourhood, I asked directions from a shopkeeper. The guy told me to wait while he attends the customer and surprisingly he went along with me to locate the building. He was trying to say something about his culture in broken English but stopped as we arrived at my host’s building. I thanked him and we bid adieu. I forgot the flat number. Luckily, I rang the right bell out of two possible options. As mentioned by the host earlier there’s no lift available in the building. I had to carry my extra heavy (thanks to the amsterdam shopping) luggage all the way to 4th floor. I was really tired. Since i had few hours in hand. I took a nap or as they say in Spain: “Siesta.”

 

Entrance to Camp Nou

I took more than a “nap” and was running late. I head out to reach nearest metro station. I already bought the T10 card @ 10 € on arrival which enables me to take 10 rides on public transport. After multiple unsuccessful attempts at locating my platform I finally board the metro. Language is big constraint here. Thankfully, I had already downloaded the Catalan and Spanish Google translation which came in handy. I get down at Palau Reial station and head out to find this huge stadium nearby. One of the biggest stadiums in the world. I barely make it on time and ran towards my gate. Upon entry I was directed towards the stairs. I started climbing the stairs. 10 20 30 40 I lost count, after climbing zillion (it sure felt like that!) stairs, I somehow reached my row and finally at my seat which was occupied by the Korean couple. He politely asks me to sit on his seat which was right next to mine. I agreed and he gave me thumbs up. I felt pretty good. I thought at least someone is acknowledging my superhuman effort to climb this Mount Everest! I saw the kick off while adjusting into my seat. And so it begins!

 

An Almost Full Camp Nou

An Almost Empty Camp Nou

 

Time For Fanboy Pictures

The Guy Must Be Thinking “Why He’s Taking Our Picture While All The Action Is In front!

 

 

 

It was almost a full house. Crowd were cheering, screaming, doing unique antics to see FC Barcelona win. Whole stadium were chanting only one word zillion times BARCA BARCA BARCA BARCA. Dude sitting next to me blows his trumpet-sounding whistle every time he disagrees with referee’s decision or smell foul play by opposite team followed by curse words (I’m pretty sure of it) in his mother tongue. He seems like that kind of fan who get pissed off at little things. I’m not sure what he would do if in case FC Barcelona lose. Thankfully, FC Barcelona soon scored their first goal and whole stadium went crazy. Even I got pretty excited watching my first live goal. I was really enjoying the match. Pretty soon something happened which most of the fans were eagerly waiting for. Messi is awarded a free-kick and crowd were ecstatic! People start chanting MESSI MESSI MESSI MESSI… Everyone was closely watching the Messi and he did not disappoint. He scored the goal and people went berserk. And I can clearly see how the goal was scored since I was sitting right parallel to the goal post. Pretty awesome view. Messi’s free-kick was flapped by the Goalkeeper and it ends up going in the far corner of the net. He is indeed a sports legend. First half break comes as a breathing space from all the excitement around me. During break i finally get to take my eyes off the field and look around the stadium. I had a beautiful view of the mountains. Game commences and soon Barca scored their third goal and crowd applauded this time. People must have thought it’s going to be raining goals today, so let’s save energy on big ones! Shortly after Messi left the field and almost everyone stands up in respect. Some people even start leaving the stadium. Surprisingly, rest of the game went goal less. 90 minutes passed away like a breeze. Barca beats Athletic Bilbao by 3-0 shows up on the big screen. When most people left the stadium, i realised how big the stadium is. It is HUGE. In my quest of perfect picture I went down to almost every level so that words FC BARCELONA fits perfectly in the background and finally I managed to get it! It was my first time watching a live football game in a stadium. I must say watching a live football match is pretty exciting and goosebumps inducing experience. No matter how much i try to articulate my experience, i won’t be able to do full justice. It was seen to be believed experience. The whole experience did not made me a football fan instantly but it sure left an impression on me. Currently, i really look forward to watch the ongoing football world cup matches held in Russia.