Barcelona, October 12 - 15th, 2006

The tourists’ city…

Our hostel was little off the La Rambla, the most popular street in Barcelona. From top to bottom the Ramblas decreases in affluence and class. We both were amazed by the number of tourists in Barcelona by the density of people strolling up and down on the La Rambla. But again we realized that all the tourist flock to the La Rambla the moment we stepped out of it and found not as many people elsewhere. We had landed up in Barcelona on the Spanish Day which was a holiday so we were pleasantly surprised the next day to see several excellent mime artists dressed in different personas, small bird shops and several artists performing there.

In one café our host was a nice Catalan (btw, Barcelona is not in Spain it is Catalunya, acquired by Spain) guy. He spoke English and we used him as our guide to Barcelona and so for a South African girl. He suggested we should go to a dance and music club, Jamboree and we did. There enjoyed some Tango music, met a Swiss guy who had come there to participate in the ultimate Frisbee championship and shook our legs and hand a bit to the music. It was good fun.

The food in Barcelona was great and distinct. Sitting on tapas bar you could enjoy different tapas (usually standard set of items, we tried the indulgingly delicious patatas bravas) or have the (so costly L) paella, or savor the oh-so-sinful Spanish chocolate with whipped cream with churros (chocolat con churros). One note for the vegetarians of the world, Barcelona has many options for the vegetarians and vegans of this world.

We decided for our trip to be for mostly exploring the nooks and crannies of Barcelona rather than visiting museums but we did see the block of discord and Casa Mila, La Padrera. This extraordinary architecture by Gaudi seemingly did not have straight lines, interestingly described in a guide book as giving the effect of melting ice cream.