Anniversary!

(taken 11:20)

Well unfortunately off to a very late start today. But it is not our fault. As we have learned, Barceloneta is an area mostly for the young and the beach bums. When we first arrived, what looked to be college age kids were renting a few apartments in our building and they did party pretty hard our first night. That kept Karen up (not me, I slept right through it). Well last night was the return of the partiers. A completely different crop. Last weekend were North Americans. Our new neighbors, two girls residing across the hall, sound like Euros. Well they had friends over last night and were playing the music loud and talking even louder. They did so until past 2 am. Part of the problem is the construction of the building. While it is an older building, sound just seems carry really effectively through the walls and floors of the building, so even moderate sounds carry.

Anyway, with a poor night of sleep, we got off to a slow start. Really our itinerary today is light. We want to purchase souvenirs to take home to family. We also want to walk around the areas of the old city that we have so enjoyed. There are also some monuments that we have walked by, but not really focused on. One of them is the Post Office, a beautiful old building with a spectacular stain glass ceiling. You can just walk in and take a look around. No charge. As we walk out, we find a demonstration or politically rally taking shape. Not really sure what for, but we have decided to mosey on before it gets going.

(taken 12:02)

As I consult the walking map in my tour book, I realize that are some other structures we missed or failed to appreciate. Here is one we walked right by on Avenue Parrallel last Sunday when searching for the furnicular to Montjuic. These are the city walls from medieval times. A long stretch of wall that runs some 200 meters or so up Avenue Parallel. This cool doorway (not accessible unfortunately) is part of the structure.

(taken 13:20)

From the wall, we made our way to another monument we had missed, the Church of Sant Paul de Camp. This incredibly old structure dates to the 900 hunderds, though it is believe it has been the site of churches since the 7th century. It is a really cool building and well worth the 2 euro to get in. It is still a working monastery. We were the only tourists in there, though we happened across a priest meditating in the grotto and we could here other monks practicing their chanting (we could hear, but could not see them).

From there we when in search of the Palau Guell. This is another Gaudi structure. He designed for his patron Count Guell, the guy who put up the money for Parc Guell. Unfortunately, the structure is undergoing extensive restoration and we could not get in there, nor really view the outside as it is covered in scaffolding.

Right across from Palau Guell, we did find a couple of souvenir shops. The second proved the best. The sales woman, Sarah, was India and spoke excellent English. Turns out she has been in Barcelona only 5 months. But she is fluent in Spanish and doing well. We purchased caps, t-shirts, key chains and the like and headed on our way.

Ready for a sit down, we have finally stopped at one of the cafes on Las Ramblas. This is great people watching here. We have also realized that right across the street from us is the opening to Placa Reial, our favorite square Barcelona. Each time there, we had entered from Ferran street. Our next goal is to find a tapas cookbook and a Gaudi calendar as souvenir gifts.

(taken 14:06)

We purchased the cookbook and calendar from one of the street stands on Las Ramblas and now have headed back into St. Joseph’s market. I would like to get a sandwich from one of the stands. We shared a couple of ham croquettes at the Las Ramblas café, but I am still hungry. Lot’s of choices. Here we find something interesting, the crabs are still quite active and want to get away.

(taken 14:23)

Back out on Las Ramblas, we are heading toward the leather shop we had our adventure in a couple of days back. On the way we have happened across this cage full of bunnies. Karen wants to buy them all up so they do not end up in some butcher market somewhere in Barcelona. Oh well. I think they are doomed.

(taken 14:34)

We have made it to Mr. Solsona’s! This place really does exist. It was not just some sting operation. In fact, we peeked in and saw Mr. Solsona. We decided that after giving him the bums rush the other day, we would say hello and thank him for his hospitality. As he was in the middle of a fur coat sale, he did not try to sell us leather coat. He take stop for a moment to say hi. I don’t think he was quite sure if he knew we were, but we felt better about the effort.

Now Karen and I do not have to feel back about showing our faces around this address again.



(taken 16:23)

Man that water is cold! From the leather store, we caught the Metro back to Barceloneta changed into our swim suits and headed down to the beach. Rather then spend 5 euros per chair, we made ourselves comfortable in one of the beachside cafes and sipped a cold beverage while soaking up the sun and the atmosphere. At least for me, this was a better value for the money! Before leaving, we have to get our feet wet in the Mediterranean. Man is that water cold! It is Lake Michigan cold.

(taken 16:43)

Walking home we come upon the demolition site. And for the first time, we see actual demolition work going on. They have fenced off the whole area. They have guards and guard dogs patrolling the perimeter and now they have the debris removal equipment in full operation. What excitement.

(taken 20:04)

La Gavina Restaurant. Our choice for our Anniversary dinner. This is the pier restaurant that always seemed the most crowded, at lunch and dinner. So figured it had to be good. We had stopped by earlier to make reservations, but they were not taking them as they had a big group coming in. However, the hostess sort of hinted that if we came by around 8pm or so, she could probably get us a table. That is indeed what we have done and we are now seated in the restaurant, under this beautiful portico.

(taken 20:05)

Bellisimo! Karen brought out here best dress (brand new of course) for the occasion.

(taken 20:19)

Cheers! Five years of wedded bliss. Congrats to us. We are drinking our Cave wine Sangria. It is made with Catalonia’s version of Champagne, Cave. It too is a sparkling wine and a specialty of the region. We deserve the best tonight, I think!

(taken 20:41)

Black rice paella. I had it the first night and thought it excellent. But here at La Gavina, the dish is out of this world. The best paella I have ever had, bar none. The seafood is exceptional and the sauce, will there, is not saucy at all. Rather the sauce is soaked up by the rice and seafood. More like a marinade, in a way, that a sauce. Just outstanding.

(taken 21:18)

As we leave La Gavina and our memorable Anniversary dinner, we look back at all the people enjoying the best restaurant we have been to in Barceloneta.

(taken 21:22)

Perhaps in a few years, with a little luck and a big time lottery win, we can buy a boat like this. The thing is massive. Gotta cost more to put gas in the thing for one trip than we make in a year.

(taken 21:23)

Couple of housekeeping photos here. This is the Irish pub we had a beer in. The only irish pub we visited during our stay. It is right on Passeig National and looks out upon the Marina. Though it would have been the place for a Guiness, I had the local brew instead, Estrella Damm. I have become quite a fan of this beer. It is a lager, by the way.

(taken 21:24)

The Restaurante Cerveceria El Dique. This is the place we had our first meal in Barcelona, a week ago. It also is on Passeig National and looks out upon the Marina. Does not compare to La Gavina, but was pretty good.

(taken 21:37)

The happy color, promenading down the avenue (perhaps on their way for some gelato) now reminiscing about the wonderful time they have had in Barcelona, and really not wishing leave.