Tetia has landed! I'm waiting on her to find her way to the apartment!!!
The last two days have been different days. I haven't felt as much like a tourist, I guess because I am beginning to really know my way around. Our first time walking through the Gothic Quarter Ryan commented "I wonder how long it takes to know way around in here?" As I was walking from one museum to another on Tuesday I realized I knew exactly where I was and where I was going, and thought, hmmm, I guess it takes 2 weeks!
Tuesday I went to Palau Guell, another building designed by Gaudi. It was interesting, but not as much so as the others I have visited. In fact, I can say that about every museum or attraction I have visited the last couple of days so I really don't have much to say about those places. I tried to save the things that I had the least interest in for the end of the trip in case I couldn't get it all in before I left, but I think I have seen almost everything on my list to see. There are a few more things I want to do, but I have been saving those to do with Tetia :)
After Palau Guell, I had lunch at a place that Alex, the sommelier from the winery we visited on Monday, recommended. If he hadn't listed this as the only "not to miss" place I wouldn't have gone in. It was on a little side street and there was a group of men standing outside smoking. Usually the type of situation that would cause me to cross the street. But I pushed my way through and am very glad I did (in fact the men were very polite - business men enjoying a nice lunch also). There was no english menu and there was a lot of meat. But, one of the waiters spoke english and I ordered almost everything they had on the menu that was vegetarian. The food was great! I sat at the tapas bar, similar to a sushi bar, and you can watch them prepare your food. I had peppers, olives, tomato bread, a burrata salad, a spanish omelete and a very full belly! Of course, all of that over the course of two hours is not that bad :)
After Palau Guell I ventured to the Museu d'Historia de la Ciutat which is mainly an underground museum that shows the roman ruins of ancient Barcelona. Dr. Bey would have loved this, I enjoyed it, but I didn't spend much time there. I was ready to get outside (it was a beautiful day) and just sit and listen to street musicians and have some gelato. I finally ended my day at another place Alex recommended as one of the best wine bars in Barcelona where I ran into Chris and Sara. We had a glass of wine before their dinner reservations and they left on Wednesday morning.
Yesterday I made room for Tetia in the apartment, did some cleaning and went to the market before going to the final two museums on my list, the museum of contemporary art, and the museum of modern art. I am not fond of modern art, I don't understand it. One exhibit left me feeling like I would have nightmares, and it was very loud, apparently people saying loud random things on videos and several videos playing at one time is art. To me it was just loud and made me very anxious. I struggle with too much noise so I couldn't wait to get out of that exhibit.
The real event of the day was my time with Montse and Rachid. I met them at Poble Espanyol, where their shops are located for tapas before the flamenco show. We had tapas at a little place near Montse's shop - she and Rachid are friends with the owner who sat with us and prepared some beautiful food (very little of which I could eat). The owner, Ivan, and Montse are both Spanish. Rachid is form Morocco, and Natalia, who also works there and sat with us, is from Siberia. It was an interesting group of people to have dinner with for sure! After tapas, we went to the flamenco show which was incredible! Montse is so full of life, she could barely stay in here seat and she danced the rest of the night. We laugh a lot together and have so much fun. I will really miss them! After the show, we went to a Moroccan place on the beach for some traditional Arabic tea and then they brought me home (waiting in the car until I was safely in my building). They could not be nicer people - I feel fortunate to have made these friends.
Now I am very anxious for Tetia to get here! She is waiting for the train so I need to wrap this up and go meet her at the train station!
Adios!
Bar Canete
I sat and listened to this guy for a long time
Bar Canete
I thought this was flash forward 50 years :)
The lighting was horrible for photos with and without the flash. But I still love this.
Rachid and Montse
Love this photo!
