Welcome To Barcelona, Spain!

Barcelona, Spain.  I’ve always wanted to visit this place.  Through my recent readings I was put off a bit as it seems the government and associated political croonies don’t want tourist!  That I’d never heard of, what city doesn’t want tourist.  Supposedly a sect of Catalonians (the state Barcelona is located), but I didn’t get the impression upon arrival.



Barcelona, at first seemed to be a continuation of Valencia with rain, rain, and more rain.  But as I was busying about the streets near the hotel I noticed that the people of Barcelona didn’t seem to care!  They had rain gear and just carried on as if it were the Florida sunshine.

At that moment I changed my attitude about the rain….the ‘cold’ rain.  

I digress for a moment…

It was a really neat Train ride that leads me to Barcelona.  I’m acquiring a fondness for the train rides!  Lots of leg room (more than in a plane) and a quiet but yet friendly atmosphere.  I’d do this anytime.  I’ve had folks back in the States look down on people that rode trains…..nah, they are a lovely crew.  I do have trouble taking pictures though.



Here’s one gazing out to the Gulf of Cadiz and Mediteranean.    I thought this was rather cool.  Tough photo to take on a speeding train!!

  Busing through a busy roundabout I was able to take a quick but not a very good shot of this momument.  This wasn’t too far from the hotel but with the rain, the bus was gonna be a big part of my transportation.  As a matter of fact, if I could’ve done some of the walking I wanted to I’d have seen some really neat historical sights.  I’ve a reason to return….probably in the sunny season.

Barcelona…

I really wasn’t sure of what I wanted to see or how close I was to the sights that I’d find in my books, but I was determined not to let this liquid sunshine spoil this visit.

Fortunately there were a couple bus stops just a short distance away and a mall across the street.  Lucky me!

So, where do I want to go.  No to bullfights….animal cruelty is not my entertainment.  Flaminco dancing…I’d like to see this…but where?  Cafe’s….yep, got ’em all around me!  Bars….them too!  Beach…no, it’s raining and cold.  Architecture…Yes, the city is a living architecture which brings me to the most astounding and monstrous architecture I’ve ever been shadowed by . And it’s a ‘Minor’ Basilica. I’ll have another blog just to cover this baby.

So, one of the first issues of business was to walk the mall.  A lot like in America, not too many suprises….food court, woman’s shops, men’s shops, sports wear shops, shoe stores, lingerie stores and condum stores.

WHAT????  CONDUM STORES!!!  

I walked right out of Carrefour (like a Walmart in America without the weirdos) and boom!  A Condum Store!!  I did venture close enough on the right hand side to notice two boxes of suckers….one with penis suckers and the other with vagina suckers.

Moving on….

Another new experience…

Other than riding a bus from time to time I had my first experience using a ‘Subway Train’!!  I was fortunate that on the platform waiting for the train I engage a young lady in conversation and she was very helpful and amused regarding my subway virginity.  She told me, “Take your backpack off your back and wear it on your chest.”  Thieves and a crowded subway train go hand in hand.  I guess this way I could see who is stealing from me.

So off I went on my first subway train ride.    I didn’t expect entertainment.  I did reach into my pocket for a bit of lose change to show my appreciation.  Not many others did.

I had fun!

Food.  Yep, lots of food!!!   I got my fill, easily.  Depending on where I was at in the city the prices would vary for the same food…near the Basilica things were very expensive.  A slice of pizza bread cut in thirds and a soda was 9.90 Euros!!! That’s $11.20!!!!

There was a “5 Guys” burger joint!   I didn’t go there…  This place was so crowded it was ridiculous!!  I took my grandson Seth to one in St. Petersburg, Florida and I wasn’t that impressed with it.



There’s McDonald’s and Burger King near by and GOSH!!!!  The people in there is ‘UNBELIEVABLE’!!!

Across from the Basilica is a nice quiet park  to sit and relect on our spiritual nature or check our Twitter page.  Actually the entrance to the park isn’t so quiet, it’s populated with street vendors hawking their goods (crosses included).

Loving Barcelona….

Now, this was a ‘really nice’ stop…  Here’s a chocolate replica of the Basilica!!  I don’t think it’s for sale, if it is it would be rather pricey I’d think.  Could you image having this in your house in the states and someone’s kid takes a bite!!!  Aaaccck!!!

  This lovely lady was strolling around the store peddling samples of various chocolates…I had to try some.  Try I did, and I did like.  Some were green, yellow and orange!!!  But the color didn’t dictate the flavor, except for the pistachio.



Two more adventures to share from Barcelona with the Basilica being the next one….wait til you see those pics!!!

Peace, love, and beaches,

John

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