May 2009
[ Barcelona, Spain vacation photos ]
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 strolling 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 of his body parts 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 food market across the street … We are going to have to stop in there for sure!
Luc: Yeah, yeah. But now it’s time for food. I want some breakfast.
Breakfast at Café de l’Opera
Luc: OK, there it is. Let’s sit outside.
Alison: Yes, La Rambla is great for people-watching.
Luc: So why this café? Remind me again, whats so great about this place?
Alison: Supposedly Café de l’Opera has been around for ages, and serves great coffee and orange juice. We are right in the middle of La Rambla. Plus, Café de l’Opera will be our first recommendation to test from Lonely Planet’s Barcelona guide.
Performance artist on La Rambla.
Check out the woman over there. What is she doing?
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 in Lonely Planet, 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. And 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
La Boqueria Market features mouth-watering displays of fruits, vegetables, cheeses and more.
Alison: Look at all the fruit! It’s gorgeous!
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…
{ 3 comments… read them 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)
When I lived in Barcelona that was my favorite place to be. Although the other markets are less crowded and less touristy. The Gothic Quarter and the Raval, on either side of the Ramblas, are also “musts”. I used to love getting lost in the laberynth of narrow streets, finding charming squares and countless shops and restaurants around every corner.
Hi Charlotte,
Yes, I miss it! And getting lost is really an important part of really “seeing” Barcelona. Are there any shops or restaurants you miss in particular?
I am overdue to write about our trip to Malaga – and of the great discoveries made in Torremolinos, including a wonderful restaurant facing a charming square.
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