#080: Barcelona 2026
It was the end of February when I flew out to Barcelona to attend the Mobile World Congress, the world's largest annual trade show for the mobile and telecommunications industry. It’s this gigantic tech show full of gadgets and cutting-edge mobile tech that is a heaven for any serious tech geek, or semi-tech geek… someone just like me.
It was a full week of work at the event; taking a delegation from Sarawak to this event, and making sure everything was running on schedule. This isn’t my main day job scope, but it just so happens that we have the expertise and the connections to make this project possible. Overall, it was a great experience, and it was amazing to be able to attend this prestigious event in Barcelona.
However, things didn’t go quite as planned. Upon departing from Dubai - my connection from KL to Barcelona - mid-flight, we found out about the now ongoing war in Iran. I was lucky to depart on time and not get held back and stuck in Dubai. There were a few from the delegation who didn’t make it out in time and were stuck there for a week. So, I was effectively “stuck” in Barcelona for the week of MWC and wasn’t sure how I would be getting back. The airspace was closed for my return flight through Dubai. Family and friends back home were worried about how I’d get back and also when I would eventually get back. Eventually, once the return flight was officially cancelled, I managed to get a new ticket, flying back via Amsterdam a few days later than originally planned. I spent a few days there with friends and took photos there too, and that will be for the next blog post.
Barcelona itself was great as always. MWC was crazy, my first time attending this particular event, but I’ve been here for a different event a few times before. I love this city. It is now officially my most visited city in all of Europe. Familiar scenes, pathways, street characters, and the food. All still as amazing as the first time I set foot in this city nearly two decades ago!
This was officially a work-related trip, so I didn't get much time to actually venture out onto the streets as I had in previous trips here, and there was no real free day to spend with the camera. I got maybe two half days of walking in - one before MWC started and one after, right before my flight out.
The first session was during the day that had I arrived. I dumped my bags in the hotel and made my way to the iconic Basílica de la Sagrada Família. My customary photography-related pilgrimage when in Barcelona. It was overcast and gloomy. The streets were quiet, and not many tourists were hovering around this tourist hotspot. I saw something different during this walk, though. I bumped into a nice elderly gentleman who was preparing his classic/vintage car for a weekend car event. To me, an unusual sight, and he was happy to get his photo taken. Then, the rest of that morning was spent walking back to the hotel to prepare for the afternoon meetings.
The second session was on Friday, the day before I left, and I had the afternoon to wander around and explore the old/gothic area of Barcelona. This time, too, it was not the best weather for being outdoors. It rained almost the entire time I was out. Had a late lunch, walked around a little, grabbed a few shots here and there, and that was about it. Nothing fancy, nothing exceptional. Just enough to be able to say that I was in the neighbourhood again. Then it was off for a work dinner and packing to head off to the next stop.
In the end, it was great being back in this city. I don’t know when I’ll be back next, but hopefully it won’t be too long apart. Maybe work will throw up another trip here, who knows. Enjoy these few photos of this photogenic city.
Cheers.
