BARCELONA!!!

DAY 1: (Sat, June 27th)

We stayed at the Sun and Moon Hostel on Carrer (Calle or Street) Ferran right off of the Ramblas, the main walking, shopping street that divides the city in half. We were in a room with 4 bunk beds which was completely full every night we were there. It was fairly clean and comfortable. We had lockers to keep our things safe and a private bathroom for the room. Breakfast was served everyday and was included in the price. The best part is that we booked it for only 17€ a night!

We got up pretty early this 1st day for having gone to bed so late. Had breakfast and then went out to explore. 

Church on our street.

Open plaza surrounded by government buildings and shops. The little rainbow flag was there for the pride week celebrations finishing that weekends.

1st glimpse of Barcelona's Gothic Cathedral 

 

 

 

The cathedral has a strict dress code policy which prohibits bare shoulders, and short skirts. We couldn't go in and no one wanted to return to the hostel to change. The women selling scarves probably made quite a bit each day as a lot of. tourists would purchase one or two to cover up.

At the front of the Cathedral in a big open square people dance the Sardana, a traditional Catalan dance, every Sunday. Important to note Catalunya is one of the 17 communities of Spain..the inhabitants speak both Catalan and Spanish and many want greater autonomy or independence from Spain. 

These rounded towers I believe are from a Roman wall. 

Small arts market that we just stumbled upon. I saw more little markets with handmade goods, art, cheap touristy things, or food items than in Madrid. There were quite a large number of vegetarian restaurants around the city. 

Santa Maria del Mar, church built by city merchants. 

What I believe is a comic on the side of building 

Here we are walking through the Puerta del Angel, which leads to Plaza de Catalunya. This street has many, many high end shops and touristy places. We went into several.

Plaza de Catalunya..(also spelled Catalunia)

Lunch followed at a pretty ritzy but affordable little place at the beginning of Las Ramblas. Our waiter was very dramatic and really liked Alice. I split a pizza with Megan.

Then we began meandering down the Ramblas stopping in a couple stores. Taking in the street preformers, the flower vendors and the many other tourists. 

 

When suddenly on our right we saw:

 

The Mercado de la Boqueria

Probably one of our favorite places. It greeted you with the heavy think scent of luscious fruits, fatty hanging meats, fresh seafood and the sounds of amicable chatter and haggling. We all bought some fruit within the 1st few seconds. It was just too beautify to pass up. (Pics do not reveal this.) 

...continuing our walk we made our way further along Las Ramblas....

 

Until we reached the sea...well the Marina

Monument to Christopher Columbus

  1st glimpse of Mediterranean water. We eventually did go to the beach but not until about 7...by that time it was still nice but the sun was setting and the wind was picking up so we didn't stay out there too long...still first time in the Mediterranean is pretty exciting.

After seeing the Marina we walked back towards the hostel stopping at a really big ceramics store so Megan could pick up letter tiles to spell her soon to be new married name...present for her fiancé. 

I had a bit of a headache and needed to rest, so we al invested in a power nap before going to the beach.  After that we went to find food...settled for a noodle place on a big, busy street not far from the marina. There was live music from somewhere close by that we enjoyed. 

 

 

DAY 2: Sun, June 28th

One of the first things we did was go back to the gothic cathedral properly dressed of course. 

 

 

Puppet and souvenir shop

There was a service going on way up in front all in Catalan. The music filled the cathedral beautifully. 

 

From here we walked all throughout the Famous Gothic Area and then over to the Picasso Museum.

We couldn't take any photos..such a shame.  We were really lucky because we were able to get through line fairy quickly and enter right away.  Often if you don't have tickets beforehand you have to wait several hours.  The museum was in this marvelous old set of buildings from the 13th-15th centuries.  We went through two different exhibitions.  The 1st was temporary and contrasted Picasso and Salvador Dali providing information about their early years and influence upon one another.  The second was the permanent collection and featured very early work by Picasso when he was at school and then his transition into cubism...It included his interpretation of Velasquez's Las Meninas. 

After this we went off in search of food

 

We found a pasta bar fairly close by the hostel. Very good...we watched them make some noodles like the ones shown bellow.

Went back. Had a slight headache. Napped quite a bit. Felt much more refreshed and ready to go. 

Went to the Beach!

It was still warm but the sun was begin info to set so we couldn't stay too long comfortably. The water was lovely not too deep and very calm. 

Evening stroll up Las Ramblas once again.  We had dinner in a small restaurant along here and then walked back to the Plaza de Catalunya where there was a pretty fountain show and a person blowing giant bubbles.  Apart from pre-meal hangriness we had a really nice time.