May 2009
[ Barcelona Photo Gallery ]
Delayed Check-in
Luc: The room is still occupied. Hotel Colón allows late check out and it will take some time to prepare the room. So we have to come back at 3 p.m.
Alison: That’s disappointing, what is that 7 hours … but I know we may be grateful for that late checkout when our time comes.
Luc: So let’s go get some food. Where’s that place you wanted to go?
Our first visit to La Rambla
Alison strolls down La Rambla, Barcelona, Spain
Alison: (Reading) “La Rambla or Les Rambles is the most famous street in Barcelona. The wide boulevard connects the Plaça de Catalunya, a busy square, to the Monument a Colom, a tall column erected in honor of Christoffel Columbus.” My god, it continues! Do you think there is another body part somewhere we will be seeing?
Luc: Maybe. And it could be right across the street at the cathedral, next to the tomb of the virgin.
Alison: You are bad!
Luc: No, just hungry. I’m starting to get a headache. Where is this place?
Alison: Be patient … Ohhh! Checkout that big market … We are going to have to stop in there.
Luc: Yeah, yeah. But now it’s time for food.
Breakfast at Café de l’Opera
Luc: OK, there it is. Let’s sit outside.
Alison: Yes, great for people-watching.
Luc: What’s so great about this place again?
Alison: Supposedly has been around for ages and serves great coffee and orange juice. And great location. And Café de l’Opera will be our first recommendation from Lonely Planet”s Barcelona guide.
Check out the woman over there. What is she doing?
Performance artist on La Rambla
Luc: I think she’s supposed to be a fruit stand …
Alison: Where do you put the money?
Luc: That little basket in front by the bananas, maybe?
Alison: OK, from what I’m reading here, looks like La Rambla is a prime place for street artists – let’s go further down after you finish eating and then come back to the market. I think I’m just going to have the fresh squeezed orange juice.
Teddy Roosevelt on La Rambla
Alison: This is so cool! All the living statues. Look, there’s Teddy Roosevelt! And that looks like an alien.
Luc: The makeup is amazing. How do they stay so still?
Alison: And check out the birds for sale … You know, now that I think of it, we haven’t seen one dog since we arrived. Great for clean streets, but do you think there is some law or something?
Luc: Now that you mention it … We did see a cat, but inside … Hmmm. Let’s keep an eye out. (Note: We never did see a single dog the whole trip.)
La Boqueria Market
Alison: Look at all the fruit! It’s gorgeous!
Amazing fruit at La Boqueria Market
Luc: I’m looking at the fish. Man, I wish we had this at home!
Alison: This place is huge. And really crowded. Maybe if we stopped going in all directions and just went up and down?
Luc: OK, but find something to eat and then let’s pick up some stuff for the hotel room. Then, let’s get outta here. It’s starting to get to me.
Alison: There are restaurants in the back. How cool … OK, I am going to pick up a veggie burrito.
Luc: How much was that?
Alison: 11 euros.
Luc: Do you know how much that is?
Alison: I think he ripped me off …
Luc: Did you ask the price first?
Alison: Nooo…
Luc: Sigh…
Alison: OK, OK. I screwed up. But look how big this is, and there is some salad here at the side. Maybe I was supposed to get a drink…
Luc: Sigh…
Alison: OK, moving on … I am going to get some cherries and strawberries for the room.
Luc: Good idea. And a bottle of wine.
Alison: You know, they have 5 of these markets in different parts of the city. Maybe we will end up hitting all 5! Wouldn’t that be great?!
Luc: Sigh…
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
well I was in “Barthelona” [as they say!] a couple of years ago in the winter…we’ ll talk about it over les Toulouses :o)