Finding Unexpected Joy in Barcelona’s Plaça de Catalunya

Plaça de Catalunya.  Plaça de Catalunya was one of our first stops as we explored Barcelona. Sitting at the meeting point between the historic Gothic Quarter and the newer Eixample district, it was the perfect place to begin getting a feel for the city. From here, many of Barcelona’s famous streets and attractions are within walking distance, making it a natural gathering place for both locals and visitors.

Yep, out of everthing in Barcelona, the history, the shopping, the architecture, my daughter loved feeding the pigeons.

We were careful with our spending during our European travels. In fact, we bought almost nothing during our day in Barcelona—not souvenirs, not snacks, nothing. The one exception? Bird seed. Somehow, feeding the pigeons became the one purchase my daughter couldn’t resist. And it wasn’t just one bag either. After the first round of feeding, she was back asking for money for another.

I couldn’t help but smile as I watched her face light up  like it did when she was a small child.  As parents of our adult children, we don’t often get the see the pure joy in our children like we did when they were growing up. So when my 25 year old daughter came over and stuck out her hand for more money, I happily handed it over to her.  After all, these moments in our lives are priceless.

While Barcelona offered us incredible architecture, history, and unforgettable sights, this simple moment in Plaça de Catalunya became one of my favorite memories from our time in the city. Sometimes the moments we least expect are the ones we remember the most.