Today we took the tour bus (Bus Turistico) around Barcelona. It´s divided into 3 routes (with a total of 44 optional stops). We did one route today, and will do the other two tomorrow. You can hop on and off the double decker buses. Here´s what we saw: Plaça de Catalunya - This is the city´s center and also the connection point for all the city metropolitan communications. It was built in 1927, works undertaken by Francesc Nebot. The most appreciated characteristics are the gardens and fountains. But the stairs and sculptures such as that of Francesc Macià are remarkable . [View Full Entry]

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Today the girls went to Sitges and to the Torres winery. Sitges was BEAUTIFUL and I learned a lot about wine at the winery. Sitges is a nice beach town about 35 km from Barcelona. Sitges (http://www.spain.info/TourSpain/Destinos/TipoII/Datos+Generales/I/CP/0/Sitges?Language=en): Located between the sea and the mountains, the city of Sitges (which belongs to Barcelona) offers a wide variety of leisure activities to visitors. The Coast of Garraf, on the Mediterranean sea and the surrounding mountains, provide a beautiful natural setting to this town. The interesting historic quarter, [View Full Entry]

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Spent the day at Barcenoleta beach. Very interesting place. You have people selling everything to everyone on the beach. People selling tapas, tatoos, beer, water, club tickets and even massages! (I will add an interesting story about the massage ladies and the police at a later time!) Then we went to a Flamenco show this evening. It was really great. More about the Flamenco show: http://www.tablaocordobes.com/En/Principal.htm I actually went to bed early tonight because I´m not feeling too good (a cold I think). [View Full Entry]

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Wento to Museu Picasso with Mom. More about Museu Picasso (http://www.museupicasso.bcn.cat/en/): Barcelona's tribute to one of its adopted sons, this fabulous collection is displayed in three adjoining medieval palaces. Picasso was born in Malaga but really started his long artistic career here. You can see all of his most important early works, including engravings, lithographs and pottery. The most famous pieces on show are his Harlequin, a potrait of one of his wives, Jacqueline, and the Las Meninas series. Regular temporary exhibitions focus on different aspects of the artist's act [View Full Entry]

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I was so impressed when I walked through the Boqueria Market today. The fresh fruit and vegetable displays were beautiful. The meat, not so pretty. I have tons of photos. (You can see them on my kodak gallery page.) Here's a little history about the Boqueria: All sorts of market shops sell everything: seafood, meat and jamon, produce, spices, nuts and candy. There are a variety of zumos (fresh fruit juices) and pre-cut fruit available ready to eat. A couple of bar-type eateries are available to sample the "catch" of the day. Went to the port of Barcelona, two churches (Catedral [View Full Entry]

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Sundays almost everything is closed in Spain. The busy Ramblas area is much more quiet. Mom and I welcomed Sue and had breakfast at the hotel with her and her daughter. We went to look at Gaudi's church he built, but couldn't get in b/c mom and I were in excercise shorts. We didn't know we were planning on going. They also don't let women in if there shoulders are exposed. So if you are wearing a sleeveless top, you need to buy a shaw for 1 euro if you plan to go inside. We will go before we leave. Lunch [View Full Entry]

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This morning we woke up late. It´s hard getting use to the lifestyle here. I don´t know how people can stay out so late and wake up at a decent hour. We went to eat lunch at a cafe across the street. Mom had some fish soup and I had the best thin crust pizza. The we walked around the Ramblas for a couple hours. Again, it was PERFECT weather. We went shopping a bit, but the exchange rate is so terrible that I didn´t think it was worth it to buy much unless I thought it was really unique. Running [View Full Entry]

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Today Mom and I left our beautiful hotel in Madrid and took the train to Barcelona. It was only 2.5 hours by train. We arrived in Barcelona around 7 and checked in our hotel. It´s pretty posh. It´s called Le Meridien Barcelona. Here´s what Meridien´s website has to say about the area: Close to all of the city’s most fascinating attractions. Spend an evening meandering about the Gran Teatro del Liceo, an entertainment district encompassing restaurants, theatres, and bars. For history lovers, the Gothic Quarter and the Sagrada Familia (Holy Family Church) provide stunning examp [View Full Entry]

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Today Mom and I went to the Museo de Prado (http://www.museodelprado.es/en/welcome/) and walked around. It was great weather! We ate at Casa Botin, acknowledged by the Guinness Book of Records as being the earliest restaurant, opened in 1725. Casa Botin was a haunt (per internet, not sure what that means?) of Hemingway. And Goya supposedly worked here before becoming a painter. Casa Botin´s specialities being cochinillo asado (roast suckling pig) and cordero asado (roast lamb). Mom had the clams botin and I had the baby squid in their own ink sauce. It was very good, even if you aren´ [View Full Entry]

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I decided to write about my adventures in Spain, especially for you, Dad. So, this is how our flight went: SA-NY: 6 hours (1 stop in Dallas) NY-Madrid: 6.5 hours Approx travel time, including when we arrived to SA airport, to when we arrived at Madrid hotel: Monday, July 21 8:30am-Tuesday, July 22 10:30 am (You can do the math :) Spain-July 21-22: What a long trip! I probably slept about 2 hours total during the 14-16 hour trip (including changing planes, getting baggage, etc.) Mom and I barely made it during the flight transfer from NY to Spain. Luckily we [View Full Entry]

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