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Published: September 3rd 2009
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Casa Batlló
On the way to the football we passed by The Casa Batlló, another Gaudi creation. He was influenced by sea elements in the creation of this house. The tiles that adorn the facade are the colour of coral Its Wednesday and the week is flying. I went to bed on Tuesday night feeling relaxed and comfortable. The air-conditioning in the apartment has been a bonus and although the heat and humidity was still pretty high late into the evening I could enjoy the cool air at home. That was until the power blew in the apartment!
I woke up in darkness, not because it was early but because the power was out. I hunted down the fuse box, however as my knowledge of Spanish electricity (in fact all electricity) starts at a very low base I wasn't too keen to fiddle with it. I waited until the office staff arrived before calling them up. Within 10 seconds after walking into the apartment the lady from the office had restored power.
Five minutes later when I zapped myself trying to take my electric power adaptor out of the wall, the power was gone again. Back the lady came and the power returned again.
Another 5 minutes and I decided to have some toast and yep, power gone again! The woman from downstairs (who was extremely apologetic) was back up and fixing things again. Since then all has
Barcelona 3 Sporting Gijon 0
91 000 fans turned up (as they do every second week in Barcelona) to watch the home team thrash Sporting Gijon from the Asturias. been ok, but I worry every time I turn anything on now.
On Monday night myself, Enric (from PwC) and his mate Jorge went to the opening round of football's
la Liga to watch Barcelona play at home to Sporting Gijon. The atmosphere at the game was incredible. I've been to a number of big matches in my time but to sit amongst a crowd of 91 000 was a pulsating experience.
Getting to the game was a bit of an effort but with two ice cold beers refreshed me on a stiflingly hot evening. Barcelona won the game 3-0 despite being without a couple of their superstars.
Tuesday and today (Wednesday) have both been chill out days with a visit to one or two significant places but mainly hanging out in
el Born (as I have mentioned is home this week). Small, and intimate el Born is filled with art, clothes design, interior decoration, smart restaurants and hip bars. Home also to the Museu Picasso, it is a great place to do nothing or to do lots.
I did venture out of Born to visit the
Museu d'Historia de la Ciutat. This museum, built
Catalan Sausge, Egg and Asparagus
A classic combination of sausage, egg and asparagus. All washed down with some Vichy Catalan near the Placa del Rei, hosts arguably some of the most important archeological remains of this city.
Most of the objects within the museum are sourced from archaeological excavations found below the placa. There are incredible exhibitions that not only house artefacts such as sculptures, bowls, coins, and pottery but whole rooms used by the Roman colonists of Barcino for washing and dyeing clothes and for making wine.
The Museu d’historia de la ciutat is actually comprised of three different buildings; the Centre for Interpretation to Park Guell, the Monumental Ensemble of the Placa del Rei and the Museum-Monastery of Pedralbes and a ticket (costing only 6 euros) gets you entry to each of the buildings scattered across the city.
I also paid a trip to the church of Santa Maria del Mar, one of the most popular and frequented churches by the locals. It feels very much like a place of worship rather than just a tourist attraction.
Food highlights included today's trip to the Cafè de l'Acadèmia on the pretty
Plaça Sant Just where I enjoyed some gazpacho and salmorejo and then catalan sausage with asparagus and a poached egg. It was very pleasant - the
Avinguda de catedral
A cute little sculpture spellling out BARCA (sorry about the two people in front of the last A) staff were very amiable and the location peaceful.
Just so that you (the blog reader) can get focussed, I am catching a train to Madrid on Friday morning for a flight to Sardinia...my five days in Barcelona is quickly and sadly drawing to a close.
But before then I'll do some shopping, visit the Barceloneta, pop into Casa Batlló and wrap things up with a big dinner with Enric, his girlfriend Rebecca and Enric's local friends. I might even find time for some foodie stuff as well!
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