Saturday, September 14: Rest, rest, meet, eat.

This is move day from our "pre-tour hotel" in the Eixample neighborhood of Barcelona to our "tour hotel" with a balcony looking out on Placa d'Urquinaona.

I am having a quiet day resting myself before joining our tour group this evening and saving my exertion for organized activities ahead.  Other members of our group, however, are out exploring and shopping.  Columbus is a big deal in Spain.  Well, I remember from history class that Spain financed his expedition to the Americas but he was from Genoa after all.  However, when he returned from his first expedition, he located in Barcelona and brought many riches to Spain.  Hence, homage is paid to him in this 60 meter monument at the lower end of La Ramba.

In the afternoon we find a great, quiet, comfortable spot by the rooftop pool at the hotel, relax, regroup and drink cava.

Do we look like savvy travelers ... or not?

We do manage enough energy to meet with our tour group, have introductions and have dinner together at nearby restaurant La Rita.  Now we transition into "Road Scholar food", also known as, "way too much food".  But, yes, I eat it.  It's my fault.  I mentioned this to our guide and he said that too much food is the number one complaint that they receive.  But, he said, if they didn't do that a small number would complain about too little food.  This chicken Caesar salad is just the salad course.

Next comes a huge piece of salmon.

And there is always dessert, in this case profiterols.

Yes, I ate it all.  Weight gain is unavoidable.

On the walk back to the hotel, we pass Casa Batlo, an Antoni Gaudi built structure.  Yes, it is night.  Yes, we are across the street.  Yes, this is an iPhone.  Nevertheless, this is a sightseeing attraction of Barcelona.

Now it is off to sleep on a very, very hard bed.  Traveling is so hard.