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Published: October 5th 2012
MONDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2012 - After arriving in Barcelona, and meeting with our home exchange lady, Kevin whisked me off to, if nothing else, walk down the Rambla. I decided this might be the week to wear my pedometer. Good job…we have been walking about 6 miles (yes….MILES) every day. The Rambla was fascinating…we found the wonderful Food Market and headed in. The colors are INCREDIBLE - the bright fruits, candies, meats, braids of chilis. The tapas bars that we wanted to stop at, but they were too crowded. Walk, walk, walk, down to the waterfront, then back up, to a tapas place that caught Kevin’s eye for the Octopus salad, and me for all the things on skewers. We didn’t have THAT MUCH to eat, but the bill looked as though we did. We headed home, vowing that tomorrow we would be a little more frugal…
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2012 - We decided that we would buy the two-day tourist pass, and were able to swing senior citizen (65 years old) discounts. These are the double decker buses that go around various cities and there are two routes on this one. We did the first route that took us
The chili stall
This was magic to look at!up to the Olympics 1992 site along with a couple of Gaudi buildings. We got off at the end and had a walk down what we call “Calle 5 Euro signs” as this is where all the high-end shops are. We were trying to find a low-cost eateria, and Kevin struck gold with an “all-you-can-eat buffet”. These people didn’t realize that I am a professional when it comes to buffets, and I ate it all. I don’t think Kevin could believe his eyes, but he got his money’s worth with me this time.
We got back on the bus to do the second route, this time going by the waterfront and Segrada Familia, the cathedral designed by Gaudi, and has been rising since the 1880s. We decided to come back to it tomorrow. We instead got off at the Parc Guell, a planned housing development designed by Gaudi. Now, let me explain a little bit about Antoni Gaudi. He was the pre-eminent architect of Barcelona of the late 1800s-1926 when he died. His work is everywhere in the city. Many people may find his designs “in your face” and a little “over the top”. But he was an Art Nouveau
Kevin on the bus
The weather here has been spectacular! architect, and that is how I look at his work. The parc only had two houses built on it, Mr Guell’s and Gaudi’s, but the whole park was designed and completed. We were able to tour Gaudi’s house, which was filled with pieces of his furniture designs.
I’m starting to get tired of the walking, but Kevin is still ticking, like the Energizer Bunny….Dinner consisted of snacking at the apartment…
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2012 - Lots of walking, we made it to the Gothic cathedral, and the Call, the old Jewish Quarter of Barcelona where the streets are maybe ten feet wide. We made our way to the Segrada Familia today, at 10:15 AM to find the line went half-way around the block, and it wasn’t moving very fast…we decided to come back tomorrow, and headed out for the other side of the city. We went to the Poble Espanyol, an exhibit that was built for the 1929 International Exposition that represented about 600 years of Spanish architecture, made up of building incorporating doorways and facades. It was to be torn down after the fair, but because it proved to be the most popular exhibit it was kept. It
Tapas
This was the first pass. Just a great mixture of all sorts of different things. would have been interesting to an architecture history buff, but we were disappointed, especially in light that we had to pay a lot to get in, even with an over-65 discount. They would be better off to charge a nominal fee and get the people in. I was less inclined to go into the shops because I knew they were going to be expensive. And many of them weren’t open, because it was between the witching hours of 2-4 PM.
We found a nice little lunch place off the Rambla. I was playing it safe, but Kevin had a Seafood salad, followed by the inevitable Paella. He enjoyed both. We cooked at home tonight…
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2012 - We weren’t missing out on Sagrada Familia today, so we got out the door early, ending up second in line, an hour before opening. But it was wonderful to go in before the hordes of people. It is hard to explain the beauty of the cathedral, and the design. I didn’t get the feeling that I was in a church, but rather a monstrous architectural wonder. I had the audio tour, which explained much of the design aspects of
La Pedrera
One of Gaudi's buildings the building. I can’t do it justice, so am attaching a website that you can look at: http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/gaudi/sagrada-familia.html
Kevin said that he had noticed the amount of work done in the last two years.
After that, we went looking for lunch, again off the Rambla. We found a little place that actually was a bit of a surprise. Kevin had a pork knuckle and I had Catalan sausage and white beans. Starters were Garlic soup and a paella (guess who had which…) Kevin had a flan for dessert and I had a wonderful local pudding. And then we decided we needed to give up. Kevin was starting to feel the pain…we went home and had a quiet dinner, and in bed early.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2012 - Today we had to take on the US Consulate because we needed to register to vote. Since we didn’t have a mailing address where voting papers could be sent, we needed to go and have a little chat with them. Anyone who knows about the numerous bad experiences I have had over the last ten years with the Consulates around the world knows that I wouldn’t be looking forward to this experience. And
it could have been worse. It started out dodgey. But we finally were able to talk to an American CITIZEN employee, and things got sorted. We are now registered, and will mail our ballots this weekend!
We walked over to see yet ANOTHER Gaudi Creation, this time a dragon gate. It seems that at the time, it was mechanized and the head or jaw must have been able to move. Imagine…
Yesterday we spotted the restaurant, La Fonda, off the Rambla that our friends had recommended so we went back there. They didn’t open until 1:00 so we found ourselves standing in ANOTHER line. Kevin had Black Noodles (cooked or made in octopus ink), we both had veal stew, and I had a coconut and chocolate cake (like a tart though) with a raspberry coulis. Kevin had a Catalan custard, which you can also call Crème Brulee, which he said was a little runny. My starter was a “Spanish omelette” without the red peppers or onions, in reality a little bland.
Kevin has given up. He is tired. Which means I can rest. We are off to near Tarragona tomorrow for a few days with friends at
Gaudi Furniture
Kevin thought this looked uncomfortable, but I thought it looked ergonomic their house for some down time. YAY!!!
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Heather Stone
non-member comment
Wow, when you get home & look through the pics at all the food you've eaten, you'll be running up Long Beach road!