Full Day in Barcelona

“Not all those who wander are lost.” ~ J.R.R. Tolkien

Today was a full day in Barcelona.  There is a kind of buzz about this city that you can almost feel just walking down the main street.  We were up at 7:30 AM for breakfast and on the bus at 8:30 AM to take our tour of the old Barcelona.  Our local guides’ name was Laura and she was with us for the entire morning.  She took us by a number of special buildings and described some of the history.  Antony Gaudi, the famous Spanish architect, who is best known for his work on the Sagrada Família, was also commissioned to do a number of houses in the area.  One woman home owner, who was taking possession of hew new Gaudi home could not find a place to put here upright piano, as Gaudi had designed the home with many curved walls.  When she complained, he allegedly replied, “Maybe you should take up the violin.”

Interesting Facade Made With Mosaic Tiles

After the short driving tour, we stopped at Sagrada Família, the most famous church in Barcelona which has been under construction for over 100 years.  I spent an afternoon their last year when I came to Barcelona after my Camino experience.   I’m sure they have made some significant headway since I was here last (will have to compare the pictures when I get home).  We did not go inside, just walked around the outside of the building.  The tour guides also noticed a pickpocket hanging around the place and warned us.  He noticed that he had been noticed and made a rude gesture to our tour guide and to me.  I was tempted to walk over and have a few words with the fellow- but we simply moved on.   It would not be the first altercation with pickpockets today.

Sagrada Familia - Morning Side

Sagrada Familia - Evening Side

In Front Of Sagrada Familia 

We next went to the old city and walked through some old streets.  The tour guide described a bit of the history of the area and even pointed out a section of the old Roman wall, which was built in the first century.  I walked over and put my hand on it.  There is something about the tactile connection for me.  It kind of connects me to the Romans who built it.  I try to imagine how many people have leaned against that wall over the last 2000 years.

Group on Walking Tour of Old Barcelona

Old Cathedral With Section of Roman Wall Dating Back to the First Century

Plaque on the Old Roman Wall (first Century) - Where I Placed My Hand

Street Where Pablo Picasso Went For Coffee - Tour Guide (Lara) bottom left

Then we went back to the main square where we were freed to go on our own.  Since Laureen and I did not sign-up for the Monserat tour, we had about 5 hours to spend exploring on our own.  We walked down the main street, similar to the Champs Elysees in France, called La Ramba which is loaded with well-known shops, places to eat and street performers.  We started the time off with Alf and Diane and just chatted and walked along as the girls looked into the shops that interested them.  Laureen and I stopped in one place and found a gift for one of the boys (not telling which one, or what it was).

View of La Ramba

After that we decided to stop at a place to have something to eat for lunch.  We found a great little place along La Ramba which featured Chiros on the menu (doughnut like pastry that you dip in a cup of thick hot chocolate).  We ordered Pizza, and just after we did Marie, Paul, Maureen and Murray walked by and decided to join us for lunch.  Was a fantastic afternoon.

Alf and Diane went back to the hotel for a rest, and Marie, Paul, Maureen and Murray went off to find the start of the cable car ride that took you over the beach and up to the Olympic venue.  We continued to wander along the La Ramba Street – just looking through the various shops.  I got a few pictures of a Christopher Columbus monument located in the middle of one of their large traffic circles.

Christopher Columbus

We wandered through a few more places, sometimes splitting up for a while, where I would head to one part of a store and Laureen to another.  On one occasion, we think it was while we were at the H&M on the main street, Laureen got to the entrance before me, and was just waiting for me to come out, a pick-pocket opened the zipper to her pack.  They not only opened the outer zipper, but the inner zipper as well.  We only noticed because after we started walking, another pedestrian tapped me on the shoulder and mentioned that her backpack was unzipped.  You know that horrible feeling you get in the pit of your stomach when you think you’ve been the victim of a crime – well we both got that feeling.

After frantically searching her backpack, we realized that we had put our passports and Laureen’s credit card in the safe that morning.  The small amount of cash that she had was still in the bottom of the pack, and her phone was still there too.  Wow – was someone looking out for us!

We then made our way to the theater that we would be attending that evening, as it was on La Ramaba.  Sitting in front of it, we stopped for a cold drink (as it was about 30 degrees Celsius today), and wait for the gang to arrive.  While we were sitting there, Marc and Marie came up and joined us.

The evening held a special event – we attended a Flamenco dinner and dance show.  The dinner was at 6:00 PM and comprised of a number of Spanish dishes set out in a buffet style offering.  Of course there was wine (both white and red) on the tables and we were greeted with a complimentary Sangria.  We sat with Alf and Diane, and through the course of the evening they gave us an open invitation to come visit them in Australia.  Alf told us that we could stay as long as we like.  I think maybe Laureen and I have to plan a trip to Fiji, New Zealand and then Australia sometime in the not too distant future.

Once the dinner was over, we were escorted into the theater, and as Trafalgar guests we were ushered in first and in the front row.  What an experience that was!  I was front dead center, and so close to the stage that I could reach out and touch the dancers if I had wanted to.  The dancing is vigorous and the dancers really seem to get into the performance.  At one point, one of the girl’s hair clips came flying out and hit Laureen’s leg; and, one of the dancers was sort of flicking her dress with her feet and it hit me in knee (Yes – we were THAT close).  I noticed that they were very serious through most of the show, but then again, we didn’t understand what the singers were singing as the performance went on.  I could see the hardwood giving as they stamped on the floor; and, I can remember thinking, “I wouldn’t want them dancing on my hardwood floor”!  Overall, it was a fantastic experience.

Flamenco Dancer

Singers & Guitar Players for the Flamenco Dancers

We jumped back on the bus and headed to the hotel where our clean clothes met us.  Good thing, as I put on my last clean shirt this morning.

Bags out at 6:45 AM (Breaky too); Leaving at 7:45 AM for Cannes, France.

Curt & Laureen in Barcelona, Spain.