Barc(th)elona

Barcelona
Tuesday afternoon went by so quickly after we arrived a bit later than planned.
After checking into our apartment, we did a little grocery shopping. Once settled we set out to explore on foot.
First on our list was Placa de Catalunya. A very busy square with big decorative fountains and flowers not far from where we are staying. From there we started to dodge the other tourists in a walk down a very busy pedestrian street called the Las Ramblas.

Placa de Catalunya

 



The locals and tourists alike walk down this street to see and be seen. A bit overwhelming for us so we took a detour and explored some side streets where we found the Barcelona Cathedral among a number of other pleasant discoveries. Ramblas. In the plaza around Saint Maria Delpi's Church, we walked toward the sound of some wonderful music. We discovered some street artists and decided to sit at an outdoor cafe there and have a cappuccino and glass of wine (yes me) and enjoy their music.
After our break, we continued to ramble around the Ramblas where we enjoyed checking out this amazing food market called La Boqueria. The food displays were works of art!
Having racked up about 8 miles of walking we decided it was time to drag our tired bodies to a dinner place. Tapas at a restaurant that Rick Steves (Qu Qu?) recommended. Good one this time
Rick.

 

It has been a bit challenging acclimating to the time change and find ourselves waking up and staying that way in the wee early morning hours.



Today we had an early entrance time to see Sagrada Familia Church and tower. It was designed by Gaudi and is still under construction. It weird and amazing. Climbing up the towers as Jack Brittain used to say did "puckered your culo".
Next we got a bit lost trying to find the metro to take us to the train to Montserrat.
An hour train ride took us to a Monastery up in the mountains. I will let the pictures speak for themselves. Loved the experience.
We are now on the train ride back and I am writing this in my iPhone notes to cut and paste later tonight.
About the blog......we find working on it using the iPad to be user unfriendly and frustrating at times.