After I posted some pictures during my trip to Barcelona last week, people have been emailing me with tons of questions about what was going on while I was there since my pictures included burning cars and officers with guns. People have been wondering if it is safe to visit Barcelona during the protests. So, I thought I would answer all of the questions I’ve been getting, since it was unlike any trip I’ve ever taken. Here we go…
WHAT WERE THE PROTESTS ABOUT?
On Monday, October 14, a Spanish court handed down lengthy jail terms to 9 Catalan leaders for their role in a 2017 secession attempt. People were outraged, so it sparked a week-long protest throughout the streets of Barcelona, the highways, and airport. I had a flight into Barcelona that Wednesday…two days into the protests.
WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE YOUR TRIP TO PREPARE? WERE YOU NERVOUS?
I’m not gonna lie…I came really close to canceling my trip. I was afraid of flying in because I had heard on Monday people were stuck at the airport and many had to either sleep on the floor or walk with their luggage for six miles on the highway to get to the subway since there was no transportation leaving the airport. My husband was already in Barcelona for work, and he wouldn’t tell me to come unless he felt I would be safe, so that helped me feel less anxious. He also hired me a driver that would be waiting for me at the airport.