Good trip to Barcelona this afternoon. Left the London rain and saw sun 15 mins after takeoff. Great views of the coast as we flew in. Barcelona Airport was gleaming and spotless – very impressed.
Very pleasant temperature here and we are well located in the heart of the city. Champagne on arrival at hotel.
Have enjoyed a lovely evening wandering fascinating little alleyways around the old part of town. Lots of shops tucked away amongst restaurants and bars – surely destination places for the locals and finds for the tourists!
Yummy tapas and sangria (they serve this in very big glasses!!) for dinner on The Rumblas- said to be the most characteristic avenue and the nerve centre of the city.
Flower stands and stalls selling plants and packets of seeds decorate the top part of the street and then there are the street artists and tourist stalls. Fascinating watching streams of people go past.
I bought a fabulous pair of eye glasses (they flash blue lights with 3 different settings – very becoming) from a passing salesman as we ate dinner. We haggled over the price and did quite well (who would really know). Told myself we were supporting an enterprising chap who would otherwise be unemployed – unemployment said to be 27% here and high percentage under 25 years.
Some street performers seen too – amazing acrobatics – bet they are black and blue tomorrow!
Also wandered about the wonderful Boqueria Market – under cover and selling all kinds of meat, fish, fruit, herbs, spices, nuts, breads and vegetables – all attractively displayed and a vibrant atmosphere.
Masses of pidgeons in the square – barely move and waiting for food. Children were loving them.
The camera battery was discovered to be flat (oops) so will have to retrace my steps again tomorrow!
