Barcelona, Spain: We left a chilly and drizzly Madrid this morning, boarding a high-speed train to Barcelona. It wasn't an exciting trip, as the scenery wasn't fantastic, but we did pass by mile after mile of orchards and farms, so that is always a good thing. The train station (Atocha) was super slammed with Easter holiday travelers and there was a mad rush to get to the boarding areas as the Barcelona train was late. We easily found our car and our seats and settled in. The best thing about riding a train today is that I was sitting down. Not walking.
After settling in to our Barcelona hotel, we made a game-plan then headed out to explore the neighborhood and get some food. Friends Mike and Mary Ellen recommended our hotel and it is very nice and in a very posh shopping area. Not to worry - we are carry-on people and carry-on people can't shop for any souvenir larger than a handkerchief.
Speaking of shopping... I am a prolific postcard sender, but had zero luck purchasing postcard stamps to the US in Madrid. Only Spain and other EU stamps were available and apparently one does not go to a post office (have not seen one anyway), but to a Tobacco shop to purchase postage stamps. Our stroll tonight took us through Barcelona University and I was certain they would have USA/International stamps. They did! I asked the clerk for 15 stamps and she looked at me as if I were mad. I told her I have a large family and she just shrugged and said of course, like I was the first person to ever buy more than one USA postcard stamp? I was shocked to learn a postcard stamp from Spain to America costs about US $2.75! Seriously, a beer is cheaper. Are these postcards flying in First Class? The postcards themselves usually cost about one euro. If you receive a Spanish postcard from me, please hold it in high esteem.
Near our hotel is a building famous because Antoni Gaudi altered the facade (1904-06) in his famous style. Casa Batlló is no longer an apartment building, but is used as a museum, event space, bar, and (of course) gift shop. You can take a yoga class. Casa Batlló is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
NOTE: Dave and I went to the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. Lisa was with us and she was 10 years old. It was hot and it was humid, but we were at the track every day in the blistering sun, and also attended so many other sporting and social events, and were able to watch The Dream Team. During our ten-days in Barcelona, we did not see very many cultural sites, only the sports venues and we were staying a 45-minute train-ride from town (in Sitges). I went to Zoo Barcelona (alone) one hot morning to see Snowflake, an albino gorilla. (Read his sad tale here.) This time, with no one to watch race around a track, we can focus on a few cultural aspects of this great city.
The avenues are WIDE and there are huge bike lanes on either side of the road. Many streets are pedestrian-only. Trees line most streets. Parks, large and small, are everywhere. We had the address of a Spanish restaurant, so began walking... more like meandering... towards the university and eventually found the restaurant, La Flauta (The Flute). Don't let your mind go to the Mexican flauta (something rolled up in a tortilla and fried, resembling a flute... or a cigar). Spanish flautas are long, thin baguettes, filled with a vast variety of things, and served as a sandwich. Think skinny foot-long fancy sandwich. They must serve 30 different flautas. We arrived about 7:30p and were immediately seated in a very crowded restaurant.
Ahhh! At last! Vegetables. And actual tomatoes. Avocado.
Again, we had Patatas Bravas. This version was typical, but their aioli was over the top. Unseen in the above photo is a spicy paprika sauce, which was also outstanding.
This particular flauta (one quarter of the sandwich is pictured) was stuffed with tuna, anchovy, peppers and tomato. We also ordered a half-portion of a sirloin flauta and a very yummy camembert, rolled in ground nuts (?) and fried. The jam over the top made the fried cheese become our dessert. We noticed the second a table finished their meal, five seconds later a waiter escorted a new group to the magically-cleaned table. Leaving the restaurant, we were surprised to see 30 people waiting in line inside the restaurant entrance... and even more surprised to find 50 people waiting in line on the sidewalk! I guess we were given a good recommendation? I would recommend La Flauta (they have two locations in Barcelona).
And that just about does it for our first day in Barcelona. Walking and eating. But, tomorrow we have a cultural event planned, but we will also do a lot of walking... and eating.
Pedometer: Even on a travel day, DT managed to haul me around 9500 steps. That is a serious day-off for me, and I enjoyed every step I did not take.
Until my next update, I remain, your Barcelona correspondent.
LINKS:
Weather in Barcelona
Fried cheese? Yes, please!!
You do seem to eat well wherever you wind up!!
Thank you for sharing your adventures with us.