Barcelona

We are staying on La Rambla, a busy walking street that extends a kilometer or two perpendicular to the harbor. We have a little balcony overlooking La Rambla, used for drying laundry, but also for the lovely cityscapes. we are high up, so no bugs and we can keep the doors open at night.

Our first night Tapas were asparagus, peppers, amazing blue cheeses, tortilla batata, and for me sardines. And of course Vino Tinto. I guess the food was okay....two groups of tourists dropped in to taste the cider.

Part of our first tapas....local blue cheeses and bread.

Our room was on the fifth floor of a hotel, overlooking La Rambla, where George Orwell reportedly stayed. (We did get the scoop on this...the hotel moved several years ago, so the George Orwell room was up the street.) We had a balcony with a view of La Rambla and a good portion of the city. Bathroom down the hall, but no problem, we had a private room to ourselves in a fabulous location.

Taunya posting just outside our balcony.

There is a lot going on on La Rambla for many hours in the day...sorry, had to take a photo of more food....this a pastry shop selling faux cans of sardines.

This is a pastry.

The streets around La Rambla are narrow, without cards, and many open up onto squares. There are Roman ruins sprinkled here and there. Everything is stunningly beautiful. I keep thinking that most of the people in Barcelona are artists. So much decorative arts on all the streets and buildings. You understand where Gaudi got his inspiration.


A row of ornate streetlights.

Coat hanger sculpture in one of the many squares.



On our first full day we walked to Park Guell, maybe four miles, looking at Gaudi buildings along the way.



We could not get a ticket for Park Guell, so we settled for walking around the park. Although I am sure the section we did not pay for was stunning, the rest of the park was quite lovely and free.

Some Gaudi columns.


Closeup of a Gaudi column.



View of the sea from the top of the park.

Tomorrow Sagrada Familia.