(taken 10:27)
Wishing to start our days earlier, we took the radical step of setting the alarm clock (well my cell phone) for 6:30am. As a result, we were on our way by 9am. Coffee, of course, is a significant issue, so we took a planned detour by taking the Metro Line 4 to Placa d’Urquiaona. Our itenarary was to go to Tibidobo mountain via the Line 7, which I understood we could pick up from Placa de Catalunya. I knew of a Starbucks kitty corner from the square and figured we could get coffee there. It would only require a short walk. Well, there is also a Starbucks right across the street from Placa d’Urquiaona, so voila, we had coffee in hand and were on our way.
When we got to Placa de Catalunya, I checked the Metro map above the station. Line 7 was not listed. We went to another map at another entrance to the Metro. Same thing. We made an executive decision. Though we very much wanted to see the city from the heights of Mount Tibidobo and check out the church and other structures on the summit, we were also not sure we wanted to take all the time it would require to get there. There is so much to see here, (and the longer you are here, the more you realize it) that we were dubious whether it was worth the effort. So we bagged the Tibidobo plan, and decided to go back to Montjuic and to the Olympic Stadium. We also hoped to catch the cable car back down the mountain to Barceloneta (we spied the cable car running, which it was not doing our first couple of days here).
As seasoned veterans, we knew our way. We took the red line train (L1) to University and then switched to the green line (L3) to Parallel. There we took the Furnicular up. From our wanderings on Sunday, we knew this was the level for the Stadium. So we got out of the station and headed down the hill. It was about a half mile walk. On our left was the Olympic Sports Museum. Not sure what it is in there, but nobody was going there. We decided to follow there lead. Basically next door is the stadium. I figured we would have to pay, but nope, they have one open entrance and we walked right in.
(taken 11:03)
This photo was taken for nephew Dan, because we found our way into the Olympic swimming pool. It is just down the street from the Stadium. Again, no charge. We could just walk in, to the upper level and watch the swimming. Looks like seniors and school age kids using the pool. They also have an outdoor pool. Most important for the parents of the swimmers, they do have full café’ with bar!
(taken 11:30)
After the Olympic Village, we tried to figure out where we might pick up the teleferico back to Barceloneta, but we never did. We guessed it would involve a bus ride, but really did not know to which station and could not figure it out from the maps. Rather than fret about it, we decided to catch a bus down the hill to Placa Espanya and take the Metro. We were waiting a while, at least 15 minutes, and that gave us time to read the bus route in detail. We determined that if the 50 bus came along first (61 being the other bus) it would take us all the way to Passeig de Gracia, our next port of call (so to speak). Well the 50 came first, and here we have hopped. So another small step for a traveling couple: we have mastered the Barcelona bus system!
(taken 11:50)
Our target is Casa Mila’, the Gaudi structure we postponed visiting on Monday. We have decided to walk up Rambla Catalunya, because Mr. Solsona’s leather shop is located there. We just want to see if it is still there, or if we were involved in some sting operation. Unfortunately, we seem to have missed it as the addres is Rambla Catalunya 14, and we are already in the 30’s. This is a beautiful boulevard, without the crowds of Passeig de Gracia, but with much more charm. In the pedestrian center strip we came upon these sculptures; a variety of human forms (mostly decapitated heads) which are sponsored by one of the major banks here.
(taken 12:22)
Once again we have been on the move for a couple of hours straight (well more like 3) and we are ready for sit down and something cold. Like all of Barcelona, it would seem, there is a sidewalk café every several meters on Rambla Catalunya. We have stopped at this one, La Bodetueta. Nice spot on the street, charming interior too, and the banos (sorry no photo) isn’t half bad as well.
(taken 13:55)
We made our way to Casa Mila’ and paid the 8 euro to get in. Frankly, compared to the other Gaudi structures we had seen, this one simply does not measure up. It is cool, to be sure, but just not in the same class as the others. The best part is the roof. You take an elevator up to the “attic” where there are a bunch of informative displays (you also get a head-set/ prerecorded guide). Interesting, but when you have seen all the Gaudi stuff first hand, seeing mock-ups of it does not cut it. Head to the roof. That is the cool part. Great views of the city and the best of Gaudi design too.
The routing of the tour is confusing, and we mistakenly left the roof and walked all the way down to the ground floor (a spiral staircase is the route). What we missed was the apartment. Well we were not alone. Us and a few other misfits were sent up a second elevator that took us to the apartment. While designed as a period piece, the apartment is just not that interesting. Not compared to the interior of Balto house.
However, there is a gift shop on that floor. And in that gift shop, Karen spied a wrap. That wrap (which I doubted was even for sale) became Karen’s anniversary gift! Am I complaining? No way. With that purchase, I am now off the hook. I must admit, it is a sharp item of clothing. After the transaction, Karen asked if the wrap was made in Spain. No. France. Oh well, Karen likes French stuff.
When done, we found the nearest Metro stop, Diagonal, and took the green line (L3) to the Passeig de Garcia station where we are switching to the yellow line (L4). What we have discovered is that this is a very, very long walk! Are we really in the same station?
(taken 14:05)
Not sure a camera can do this justice. We are on one of the new Metro trains. They are roomy and well ventilated (e.g., air conditioned). What is most unique about them is that there are no doors between cars. I have never seen anything like this. You can look straight down the train, all the way to the first/last car. When the train takes a curve, you can watch the snake effect of each car. Really cool.
(taken 14:52)
We hoped off at Jaume stop and made our way back to St. Joseph’s market (with a couple stops at dress shops on the way). We are hoping to catch the market before the stores close.
(taken 18:27)
Mmmm. Got some fillin’ to do here. Well, though we were an hour and half earlier than the last time, a number of stands in the market had already closed up. We had the notion of getting lunch there, but every place which serves lunch (and there are a bunch) was packed. By that time, it was after 3pm and we were STARVING. The kind of starving (and tired to as we had been on the move for over 3 hours) were you can not even think straight. We first sat down at a place on Las Ramblas, but did not like the menu (like I said, we were so hungry we could not think) and were just going to order beers, but they would not let us (thank you, thank you, thank you) so we kept on moving. Karen had the good idea to seek out the Placa Reial, which we knew have several café’s. And indeed this is what we did. We found one which served sandwiches and we both ordered. I got prosciutto con queso and Karen got avocado, olive paste and cheese - a really cool looking (and tasting) sandwich, which I am going to try to make when we get home.
From there, we made our way by foot back to our hood. Tired, but not wishing to rest, we headed down to the beach and decided to go for a walk. Well we have been walking. Not really sure how far, but we got past the golden fish (right not goldfish, the golden fish – it’s a sculpture they made for the Olympic village) and well past it. We must have walked at least 2 miles from our corner of the beach and now we are making our way back.
(taken 18:55)
We are making our way back from the beach and our long walk, and are crossing the Placa in front of the church we went to on Sunday, San Miguel, and finally took a camera-phone photo of it. We are going to stop at the market to get coffee and cream, so I can make coffee in our condo in the morning.
(taken 21:13)
Karen’s first Sangria! A momentous occasion! Unfortunately, the service at this place stinks! We waited forever to place our order and then they came out with this miserable pitcher of wine and soda pop (but don’t tell Karen, ‘cause it is her first sangria). The restaurant name is Con Tipa. If you happen across it, keep on moving. The table next to us are 4 girls from Miami (2 are Brazilian, one from Honduras and the other from Venezuela) and they are not getting any attention either. In fact, no one in this restaurant seems to be getting much service. The girls have already sent back their appetizer and arevtalking about going elsewhere. A good decision.
Do I keep referring to them as “girls?” I must be getting old. One of the Brazilian women told us her life story. She has been working in marketing for over 10 years, most recently for RKR, and now wants to find a job in Spain. So, I guess they are to old to be girls.
Anyway, with any luck, we will get dinner before sun-up!
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