FLAMENCO WITH BE THROUGH BARCELONA!. Review on Barcelona

If you want to read about our trip from Italy, then from Spain to Paris and to Calais the Ferry the review was written on March 9, 2002.

We left Nice in the morning and followed the Mediterranean, passing by Nimes and Provence. The route then went inland until we reach the Border with Spain and on to Barcelona. We arrived at our hotel about noon. It was in a quiet area with some shops but it was quite far from the central part of the City.

THE HISTORY

Barcelona has a population of 1.510.000 and is the second largest City in Spain. It is on the Costa Brava coast on the on the northeastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula, (that juts out into the Mediterranean).

Barcelona was once the Capital City of y Cataluña. The last King lisped and his subjects decided they should lisp so he would not feel self-conscious. This is why in Spain Spanish is spoken with a lisp, (in Mexico it isn't).

WHAT WE SAW

I must tell you that every building designed by the architect Antonio Gaudi was fabulous. Each one was different. Some looked half, a cake that icing is dripping off it and a candle with wax dripping from it. The most beautiful and unfinished one is the Cathedral 'Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia''.

THE FIRST DAY

The Barcelona Cathedral is in the Gothic Quarter. It was built in the 14th Century. There are 28 side Chapels and the Altar has some wonderful Baroque pieces. We laughed when we saw that in the fountain, (at the back of the Cathedral), they were breeding white geese.

In he Gothic Quarter there are many old streets. We walked to visit the Palau Reial Major, Museu d'Histora de la Ciutat and the Palau de la Generalitat. We enjoyed the street entertainers and bought a few t-shirts from one of the many vendors.

Next we went to European Street, (it goes up from the port to Plaça de Catalunya). We went to the Port and were steered into a shop that sells Lalique. A few of my friends collect Lalique and I know most of their designs. None were in the collection in this shop. The prices were 'dirt cheep' and most of the people on the tour were grabbing handfuls of china statues. I whispered to MM about what I thought was happening and we left the shop and browsed through the other stores. We waited for the group by the statue of Christopher Columbus, (that is spot where Columbus came back to Spain. The sales must have been good because 'Chico' gave me some more money. I know I would never come to the port at night because as we were leaving there were prostitutes walking around and a few bar brawls.

That night we came back to the street but closer to the Place de Catalunya. We had a scheduled dinner at a Flamenco Cafe. The meal wasn't so great but the dancing was wonderful.

THE SECOND DAY

We had a half an hour to see the exhibits at the Contemporary Art Museum, (Museo d'art Contemporani). From there we went to see the Center de Cultura Contemporania that had a wonderful archeology displays on many ancient Cultures .At the Picasso Museum we saw an overview of his work.

We were then given a choice. We could go back to the hotel as the rest of the day and evening was free or we could be dropped of on Las Rambla Street. Our group decided to stay and see this beautiful tree lined Boulevard. We had a bocadillo, (snack), as we watching street Artists. Then we took a walk too see what the vendors had to sell. I saw a newsstand and bought an International Herald Tribune and had a change to read it while we had a cool drink at an outdoor bar. When we came to the stall that had skinned rats hanging we walked back up the other side of the street.

Near the top of the Boulevard we found an empty small Tapa Cafe, (people in Spain don't dine until at least 9 PM). We didn't care and the owner was happy to see us. Tapa's are small meals. There were 8 of us so we ordered everything on the menu and shared. We still had room at the end of the meal for caramel flan.

When we got back to the hotel I was surprised to see 'Chico' in the lobby. He asked if he could have the money back he had given me the day before. Like a dummy I gave it back to him after he told me many of the people had returned their Lalique.

The next morning we had to leave early so we had a nightcap in the hotel's bar and went to bed.

We didn’t see Monjuic that I understand gives you a wonderful view of the city or the Cactus Gardens that I understand are outstanding.

SOME THOUGHTS

I heard that before the Summer Olympics the local officials had cleaned up the 'sleazy areas', the prostitutes and the pickpockets.

I like Barcelona but I don't think I would go back because there are places that I've never seen. If you are traveling to Spain Barcelona is a place you should see.

Thanks for reading my review.

©LL