Wednesday, 24 November 2010

dream city

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I hadn't been back to Barcelona for two years before my little trip a couple of weeks ago. As often when I revisit a place, I was struck not by what had changed but at how familiar everything was. I lived there for a year and a half, and I lived there intensively: constantly biking through old and new streets, taking the metro to far flung corners, walking everywhere. Bicycles are the best way to see a city; you don't worry about getting a bit lost because you can backtrack quickly, and they're a great way to zip through dodgy neighbourhoods at night! Also for chasing down people who try to steal your bag. Anyway, it was lovely but strange being back. I walked across the whole city one night alone and never doubted my way once, anticipating the buildings before they appeared, and thinking at almost every café I passed "Oh, I had a coffee/beer/clara/lunch there! ; )

And it was a little bittersweet too, knowing that in one week I could never do even a quarter of the things that made Barcelona my own special city, that it wasn't quite mine any more, that I would soon be gone again.

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Waiting by Café Zurich, the meeting place of all Barcelona. And everyone is always late.
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Outfit:
dress: Vero Moda
top and jacket: Smart Set
tights: Dorothy Perkins
shoes: ebay
shawl: second hand

37 comments:

Closet Fashionista said...

Sooo fun! i love your tights and shoes :D
http://aclosetfashionista.blogspot.com/

Raquel said...

You make me miss Barcelona as well Emily, and I've only been there for a week! It's truly an amazing city and I can imagine myself riding a bike through the streets! Though I walked a lot and got the metro while I was there.
Maybe you can get a job in Barcelona after you finish your master's ;)

About the outfit, I love the romantic feel of the tights, you look so lovely! And those are the kind of shoes that I really need, and can't get due to shopping ban grrr, I'm really upset now because I had to spend a lot of money in order to get documents, translations and even mail, and can't spend it on shoes! lol

PS: Regarding your coat! It was an amazing buy, even 85 pounds, which is like 100 euros us great for a 100% wool AND handmade coat!

Emily, Ruby Slipper Journeys said...

@ Raquel: I only wish there were real jobs to be had in Barcelona. I think now there aren't any in the whole of the Iberian Peninsula, your problem and mine...

Anonymous said...

Emily--what wonderful lights. The photo in the "alley" (I don't think that is the precise word)is lovely. Living smack dab in Oz, where so much depends on an automobile, I can't imagine a city so livable one could bike everywhere.

Amrit said...

Emily,

Nice pictures once again. We lived in Europe for sometimes and used to visit different places every weekend. I love European towns, streets to walk and CAFE. We will sit there for hours.

Amsterdam is another Bicycle city...you may want to visit in summer

Shannon said...

Really lovely pictures, it looks so pretty there and I love your tights!!

ching said...

oh wow Barcelona looks like such a lively place. :D looking great dear.

NRIGirl said...

Love to bike

Paulie Antiques said...

I know what you mean about not being able to do and see everything or maybe just something new? It is disappointing, but hopefully you had a spectacular time despite the fact. Thank you SO much for your thought provoking comment.. I really enjoyed reading it!

love, polly :)

Kristen said...

I'm so jealous you get to live/go to these wonderful places! How do you do it?!

20 YORK STREET said...

Ah Barcelona, yo lo quiero! And the tardiness!

Those are really cool looking rental bikes! Have you seen the ones we have in Ottawa and Montreal? The Bixis!

Unknown said...

I llllooovveee those tights! your outfit is so cute here <3

xoxo

Fleur-de-Lis said...

Your photos are great! I've never been to barcelona. It's almost ridiculous - I live in Portugal, so near, and yet, I have no €€€ to travel or clothes -.- Oh well, we can't complaint anyway. It's great to dream and I now I'll visit many things someday :)
Until then, I'm also glad you share your photos ^^
***

Green Tea and Cupcakes said...

Love your tights, cute look.

daniela kate morosini said...

i love barcelona, such a stunning city! great tights x

Shanna Maren said...

My mum's been to Barcelona, but without me. I really want to go there!

daisychain said...

I LOVE your tights.

caitlin said...

what a lovely post :) i definitely know how it feels to go back to a place you once lived and feel like you basically want to relive everything at once. there's never enough time to satisfy nostalgia.

your tights are spectacular. get thee to a drugstore and pick up some red lipstick! you could totally pull it off :)

Erin Cathleen said...

Wow, it's so pretty there. I love the lighting in your photos, particularly the first one. And your outfit's adorable. Gotta love those sweet tights!

Goodness, if I had the chance to live somewhere like Barcelona, I'd never want to leave!

Happy travels...

Starr Crow said...

your tights and shoes are adorable x 1000! i would love to go to Barcelona one day. :)

Anonymous said...

Such cute tights :) Lovely outfit & photos.

It 's so strange returning to a place you used to know like the back of your hand.

I visited some friends a while back who'd moved into a house I lived in before. I kept having to remind myself that I didn't live there anymore. It was odd because I knew where everything was and in a sense I knew more than them about the place (origins of stains, holes in the plaster, what was underneath each paint job hastily completed by my housemates and me) It was sort of freaky being back as a guest. Obviously that was just one house, not a whole city :D

Amber said...

beautiful photos and I love your tights. I feel the same way when I visit New York like it doesnt belong to me anymore...bittersweet is the best word to describe it.

joana said...

So pretty. I love Barcelona! Take a look on my blog and feel free to follow me, I would love if we could follow each other, ohh and if you have twitter you can add me too or facebook . I would be so glad. ♥, Jo

Ashley said...

Oh my gosh, I love every picture here!!! :)

In one picture it looks like you are holding a little Turkish evil eye, but maybe it's just a button :D haha.

ana said...

I was in Barcelona 10 years ago!! OMG you made me remember those good days!! It's such a beautiful city! Your outfit is gorgeous!

Brittany said...

Its so pretty there, jealous :) I love those tights theyre so great!

Lisa said...

lucky girl to be in barcelona..love your tights too!

Preity lama Tamang said...

Adorable!! Amazing tights!!
xoxo

Anonymous said...

Beautiful place! It's one of my go-to places for when I'm older! Great post and blog :)
stop by sometime, xx nat
http://lavagabonddame.blogspot.com/

Rio said...

Aww must have been bittersweet for you :). I always feel slightly sad going back somewhere that I've spent a lot of time! I love your tights and red top, and you look adorable in the bike shots! ;)

Jazzy E (Hivenn) said...

Beautiful as always. You're on my blogroll :) x hivennn.

Emily, Resplendent Tranquility said...

First things first. It's a good thing we're an ocean apart or else I'd probably find a way to swipe those tights from you! ;) I love how they look with your white dress and red top. How are your shoes holding up?

However bittersweet, it looks like you were able to capture enough special moments in your special city to fill your heart until you can return again :)

RE: Oh, that is tragic about the UK and pumpkin spice lattes. I can believe it! A friend of mine moved to England to be married and she'll often tell me of things she misses or foodstuffs her husband has never had.

Anonymous said...

Great! Barcelona is so amazing. I can see you had a great (and fashionable) time :)

Anthea said...

What a treat it is to see the streets of so many wonderful places on your blog. Aside:love the tights!

Anthea,
Embracing Style

Katness said...

Gosh I miss Europe. So laid back, walking and biking everywhere unlike the Americans and their love for driving cars everywhere. Lovely shots of the city. Have a great weekend!

Megan said...

I love Barcelona. I've been twice and can't wait to go back someday.

http://fashiontriedandtrue.blogspot.com/

Molly Page said...

You look so beautiful and "at home" in the city. PLUS, I love your tights. Glad you had a great visit!!

Leaving the House in THIS?!?!