Goodbye Catalonia, On to Carcassonne

So Barcelona is filled with the flags of Catalonia. Many of the leaders Celt buildings are draped with them along with yellow ribbons. I know very little of the conflict, or why, but I do know that last year they voted to secede from Spain. The authorities threw a bunch of people in prison where they remain...therefore the yellow ribbons. Today, September 11, is Catalonia day and 400,000 people are scheduled to protest the Spanish government in Barcelona. Last night there were helicopters hovering over our hotel in some type of preparation for the event. We were told we may have trouble getting to the train station.

When we went outside, hundreds of people in orange shirts were milling about. Families, individuals, groups...some had the Catalonia flag draped over their shoulders a la Superman. 

In spite of this, we had no issue getting about, and are a little bit sad we will miss the protest.

See the flag? I mean the building is a national treasure, right? But it seems to be claimed by the Catalons.

Ok, Carcassone. We are on the train there, making a change in Narbonne. Without a proper ticket, we are a little worried about changing trains...

We hope we have reservations at the Notre Dame de Abbaye, the beginning of the pilgrimage.