Barcelona - Part I - Rated G for General Audiences
Trip Start
Apr 15, 2007
1
17
33
Trip End
May 23, 2007
Barcelona,
Spain
Sunday, May 6, 2007
We walked the distance which I am sure is at least two miles from our flat. First however we stopped off at the Barcelona Bullring and bought tickets for the Bull fight tonight! I will tell you all in advance that this will be a two part series - one rated G for General Audiences and this will include a few photos of the Bull fight but then the next entry will also be rated G - but for Gore (Not Al - although....) The entry after this will have the more extreme photos in it.
Barcelona 01
Back to the day however, we were wandering through the Gothic Quarter and I had read in our guide book that on Sunday in front of the Cathedral is something called a Sardana Dance. People make a circle and hold hands - raised in the air and kind of rock back and forth on their feet. While we were close by, I thought it would be interesting for us to see. Jim was more interested in seeing lunch however. Jim wanted Lamb Chops again so we went back to the restaurant that we ate at with Jeanie and Monroe and Jim had his lamb chops - I had some Tapas - I did take a photo of the Paella for you to see. We were sitting near the kitchen so we had a great view of all of the food being prepared.
While wandering Las Ramblas we did see a few people that we knew. We saw our waiter, Hugo, from the crossing we did last November. He was on vacation while we were on the ship in April - but there he was with one of the other head waiters - I can't remember his name right now - but we met him on the April cruise. We gave him a list of people to say hello to for us. They also had a very good crossing - the seas were cooperating with all it appears.
Next we ran into a couple that we had met in the Concierge Lounge on the April cruise - also we sat with them at the Captain's Table one night
Barcelona 02
. Well, we talked to them for a while and met some friends that were with them. They were from Denver and the wife was born and raised in Arvada! Now - can you believe - I was just going through my pictures and there is Jackie - a side view of her - but in the photo I took of the dancing at the Cathedral. I didn't notice her then - and then we ran into them later.We walked down to the Port area and there was a flea market going on - so we browsed there a bit - I bought an old brass Holy Water Font - they had quite a few interesting items - some great bells and other things - but we have to watch our weight with the suitcases for the flight to Munich this week.
We had time to head back to our flat before the Bull fight started - so we freshened up and then walked the four blocks down to the Bull ring.
We had bought our seats earlier in the day and didn't really know what we were doing - we picked seats within the middle price range then we couldn't be too disappointed - yet we also didn't pay top dollar. We requested the Shade/Sun section which meant we could have some of both. Being that the event started at 6:30 we figured we would luck out and not have too much sun. We arrived - had to make our way through the people carrying signs regarding torture of bulls - fortunately not throwing red paint - although the remnants were there from past fights. We had really good seats and we were just at the border of the sun and the shade - but on the shade side! Good thing too - because the sun WAS really hot and bright in the peoples eyes.
Barcelona 03
My opinion is that the whole event is like a theatrical play. To me it almost didn't seem real because everything happened as if on cue. Of course, here the bull dies in the end - but overall it was an interesting experience and I am glad that we did it. It is part of their cultural history and that is what we are here to see...I guess we can't spend all of our time in churches!? Jim had been once before and now he is happy if this is his last one as well. If you want more information on what all takes place - I will describe it more in Part II - and/or I suggest looking it up on Google.
Afterwards we were ready for dinner - just not 'Carne' and we went to what is becoming our favorite neighborhood restaurant - La Piazzanetta. Situated on a Piazza near the Sagrada Familia - and on Ave. de Gaudi. We had some more of that great Sangria and both tried their pasta tonight - it was excellent. Too much Sangria and so our waiter put it in a 'to go' container for us and we enjoyed it on our way home and have a little left for tomorrow! This restaurant has been here for roughly 30 years and there is always a wait and it is always full of locals.
Two more full days to come in Barcelona - it has been a really nice time here. Adios!
Comments
Bull Fight
It looks half empty - or did it fill up?
Mom
It's A Small World After All !!!
Surpised you haven't run into one of Jerry's students on this trip - a la Super Bowl in Miami!!! We don't know Linda but will be on the lookout for her!
Enjoyed seeing your 'fabulous flat!! Very nice, indeed. I will not be looking at the bull fight pictures. Know it is a part of the culture, but the animal lover in me prevents the viewing. It is strange that I do eat, and enjoy, meat!! Go figure.
The food just looks so good and beautifully presented. You know how to pick the restaurants! Tap at The Table..Brilliant!!
Sandy