Once we got to Istanbul we had a 6 hour layover but the Turkish lounge made it relaxing. I don't know that maddy will be able to adjust to going back to sitting in the regular waiting area. Poor spoiled kid!
Our arrival in Barcelona was uneventful and with unclear metro directions we decided to splurge for a taxi. Our apartment was right off the Ramble in a nice little alleyway with a park across the street.
We were surprised to encounter a lack of English speakers and had to adjust to menus and conversations in Spanish. Right across from our apartment was the delicious family owned Cafe Elsibeths. The only thing we could identify for sure on the menus were hamburgesses and they were delicious! The next morning I took the metro to the airport to pick up my mom and felisha. It was so wonderful to see them again after so many months! They came back and rested while Trey, Maddy and I wandered down to the local outdoor market to shop and have lunch. On the way we met some really nice expats at the park and got recommendations on the town. It was so nice to get involved in the community. The Boqueria Market was unlike anything I had ever experienced, a huge market with all types of fresh products from meat markets to fruit to candy and wine. We had a good afternoon just roaming it.
Barcelona Cathedral (La Seu), Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, The Magic Fountain at Montjuic, Gran Teatre del Liceu (opera house built in 1846). It was a long day filled with lots of sightseeing and information about the Barcelona culture. To finish off the night we took the Metro to The Magic Fountains at Montjuic and enjoyed the show. It was a spectular lights and sound water display, similar to the one in Vegas but in my opinion better.
The following morning we decided to visit the inside of the Sagrada Familia and the recently opened to tourist Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau. I didn't realize that the Sagrada Familia is still being worked on before visiting Barcelona. It was a different experience to visit such a world treasure that isn't completed.
The building currently has two of the three sides complete the navity side that was completed during Gaudi's lifetime and the passion (christ's death) which was completed after. It is interesting to see the distinct difference in styles. 
That evening we enjoyed the Spanish custom of eating with a little tapas snack around 6pm followed by dinner at 10pm. In between we enjoyed a traditional Flamingo dance which wasn't at all as glamorous as I thought it would be. The footwork and singing was amazing but I thought the clothes would have been more flashy.
I love old churches but this on didn't do it for me. It was too grandiose with all the designs and too many concepts in one building.
That night we got to indulge in a much needed date night! The restaurant was a little further out in the suburbs than we expected but it was delicious.Next morning we wandered back down the Boqueria so mom could explore it with me. We spent the afternoon exploring the Barcelona Cathedral even visiting the roof for a photo op! I really am a sucker for old churches. We had high hopes to visit the Piacasso Museum but Maddy wasn't interested, next time for sure! Instead we wander the El Borne shopping district for a while.
Overall we loved Barcelona, the vibe of the city was very new mixed with old, tons of modern conveniences but enough history to make it unique. And you really can't beat the amazing buildings and architecture around the city. It was surprising kid friendly with parks every couple blocks and tons of green space for a big city. I would have never considered Spain somewhere I wanted to visit but now I can't wait to revisit Barcelona, it warrants another couple days for sure! We boarded our first ever budget airline flight to Madrid and we're off!
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