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Published: April 30th 2008
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April 26 - 28, 2008
BARCELONA, Spain
We arrived here Saturday afternoon and took the “almost mandatory” city tour bus to get an overview of the city. This is a very nice place and quite different from Madrid. The city is about 3 million people but doesn't feel that big. The big difference here is the fact that they are on the sea with a very busy port and the usual waterfront activities. The city is nestled into the mountains and goes down to the sea.
The city was inhabited in Roman times and has been growing ever since. With a good port and a great location is has done very well. Cruise ships now make this a priority stop in the Mediterranean.
The recent Summer Olympics here made a huge difference to the city as a lot of infrastructure was put in place or improved and the facilities are very good. There is an amazing variety of architecture here with some important sites designed by Antoni Gaudi. To say the least he was sure trying to be different from the other designers of the time. One project, Sacred Family Temple, his largest was started in 1882
and is still under construction. ( another 20 years or so ). It is unbelievable what he imagined this church to be and to spend 40 years or so of his life working on it.( knowing he would never see it finished.).
We spent the next day visiting sights around the city and took a cable car up to one of the old forts overlooking the city. What a view !!! As it was Sunday a lot of the businesses close and traffic was great.
Monday we had some travel visa business to attend to and we spent an hour or so at the very large marketplace where you can buy all the local meats vegetables bread etc. This is a very nice market but go early to see it all.
The only issue we had was the food. For the most part if you don't like “Tapas” you have to wait until after 08:30 to eat and then if you've had enough “Paella” you will probably only get something fried ( or deep fried ) with french fries. We were a little disappointed in the food to say the least, but the Paella is great.
We had another little “adventure “ with a “Bandito”. We got a flat tire and when we stopped to change it, with doors and trunk unlocked of course, 2 guys on a motorbike stopped and stole a bag from the car. Enough people saw it happen and with all the yelling and screaming going on he dropped the bag and took off. We didn't lose anything but it scared the hell out of us. The tire sidewall had been knifed while we were at a stop light and apparently this is becoming rather common. The tire repair guy knew exactly where to look for damage. The tire was ruined and 130.00 Euros later we got on the road. It would be good advise to anyone traveling to be very cautious as this is happening everywhere ( not just Europe ).
In spite of the food and the bandito this is another place we would come back to. It is a beautiful place and there is lots to see and do. You really need a few days to do it justice.
Off tomorrow to Andorra ( where ever and what ever that is ).
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