Tuesday, September 10: BARCELONA Arrival
We arrive at the Barcelona airport in good spirits, especially so given that the forecasted heavy rain doesn't seem to have materialized. I am assisting in walking and standing this trip by a cane or by dual hiking poles to minimize weight on my surgical leg that has not yet properly healed. Approaching passport control and a long line using my cane, an official starts walking toward me, pointing and saying "no, no, no." I do not know what I have done wrong. Then he says, "no can walk, go here" as he escorts me to the head of the line." OK then. I am appreciative.
We arrive at our hotel mid-morning and are anxious to get out and explore our surroundings. We decide to stroll down a famous Barcelona street, the Las Ramblas de Catalunya, featuring many sidewalk cafes, most of which aren't open yet given the early hour. We find a coffee shop/restaurant (Taller Tapas) serving breakfast and head in to eat because Delta has only fed us three or four times on the way over.
A mimosa seems to be in order
while we eat omelets, salad, breakfast sandwiches and Catalonia's famous tomato bread.
Our continued stroll down the Ramblas is shortened by heavy rainfall with huge drops. I have brought my raincoat but I am drenched below the waist my the time we retreat to our hotel for some quiet time. The forecast monsoon has arrived.
In the afternoon, we do what we often do in new city especially to stay awake after crossing the pond. We take the "hop on, hop off" bus to get a better lay of the land.
It is still raining. The top level of the bus is covered but, with the wind, not entirely dry. It is cold in the land of warm Spain.
A couple of city sights from the bus. Although we "hopped on", we didn't "hop off" until the end. This is Placa de Espanya with barricades being set up for National Catalan Day tomorrow.
This is an old arena at Placa de Espanya which has been converted to a shopping mall and an observation deck around the top.
This is a view of the Barcelona waterfront from Mont Juic which makes Barcelona a busy cruise ship port.
To end our very low key, introductory day in Barcelona, we opt for wine and cheese in our hotel bar as it is still raining too hard to venture out to the outdoor cafes. Nevertheless, this is delicious.
We finally succumb to our weariness and sleep. It is still raining.
[Editorial note: Posts may appear more than once daily in order to advance the trip postings prior to surgery next Wednesday.]
We arrive at our hotel mid-morning and are anxious to get out and explore our surroundings. We decide to stroll down a famous Barcelona street, the Las Ramblas de Catalunya, featuring many sidewalk cafes, most of which aren't open yet given the early hour. We find a coffee shop/restaurant (Taller Tapas) serving breakfast and head in to eat because Delta has only fed us three or four times on the way over.
In the afternoon, we do what we often do in new city especially to stay awake after crossing the pond. We take the "hop on, hop off" bus to get a better lay of the land.
A couple of city sights from the bus. Although we "hopped on", we didn't "hop off" until the end. This is Placa de Espanya with barricades being set up for National Catalan Day tomorrow.
Notice the ever present Catalonian tomato bread.
[Editorial note: Posts may appear more than once daily in order to advance the trip postings prior to surgery next Wednesday.]
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