This morning we set out once again at 9:00 a.m., headed to Las Ramblas. Las Ramblas is a lengthy promenade, almost in the French fashion, with each Rambla named for a particular feature of that block or group of blocks. There are buildings on each side, with narrow sidewalks, then a traffic lane on each side of the middle wide area meant for - well, rambling. The Rambla of the flowers is filled with flower stalls selling wonderful arrangements, plants, pots, and seeds. There is a whole Rambla with nothing but little cafes.
And of course there are vendors everywhere, hawking souvenirs, pleading with tourists to come in for tapas, caffe, even ice cream. High above the street on a balcony is a woman (or maybe a man) dressed as Marilyn Monroe, complete with platinum blonde wig and iconic dress, made to blow up around her (his?) waist by a handy electric fan. She/he was beckoning us all to come up to the Erotic Museum. Those arms were pretty muscular, and the legs underneath that dress - well, let's just say they had little resemblance to the originals.
And of course there are vendors everywhere, hawking souvenirs, pleading with tourists to come in for tapas, caffe, even ice cream. High above the street on a balcony is a woman (or maybe a man) dressed as Marilyn Monroe, complete with platinum blonde wig and iconic dress, made to blow up around her (his?) waist by a handy electric fan. She/he was beckoning us all to come up to the Erotic Museum. Those arms were pretty muscular, and the legs underneath that dress - well, let's just say they had little resemblance to the originals.
We passed the beautiful opera house of Barcelona, and the Theatre Principal.
Arleen pointed out that along Las Ramblas we begin to see touches of the modernista architecture - there's even a large circular portion of the pavement that was designed by Joan Miro and given to the city as his gift. We take a brief detour off the main promenade to see the Palau Guell, designed for the very, very wealthy Sr. Guell by Gaudi himself.
Arleen pointed out that along Las Ramblas we begin to see touches of the modernista architecture - there's even a large circular portion of the pavement that was designed by Joan Miro and given to the city as his gift. We take a brief detour off the main promenade to see the Palau Guell, designed for the very, very wealthy Sr. Guell by Gaudi himself.
As we reached the end of Las Ramblas, we turned and walked along the seaside to one of the highlights of our trip: a private tour of the Royal Academy of the Arts. Arleen's very good friend had arranged for our group to visit - and what a treat it was, indeed. We viewed the most beautiful llatja (familiar to Americans as loggia) where merchants have met to trade in all kinds of commodities since the 14th century. It was absolutely breathtaking.
(Above - Awful picture taken with my camera which does not do well without flash.)
Then we were permitted to sit in the Academy meeting hall upstairs while Arleen offered a lesson on the functioning of such institutions all over Europe. This was such a privilege - we were quite awestruck.
Our morning of formal instruction ended at this point, and we made our way across the busy street to the beautiful public areas of the port. Totally renovated for the 1992 Olympics, this is an amazing area. Locals and tourists alike stroll the boardwalk, sit in the parks, and (as we did) have lunch in cafes that overlook the marina.
(Above - my lunch. Note Russian salad with small cone protruding. This became one of my faves.)
(Above - Awful picture taken with my camera which does not do well without flash.)
Then we were permitted to sit in the Academy meeting hall upstairs while Arleen offered a lesson on the functioning of such institutions all over Europe. This was such a privilege - we were quite awestruck.
Our morning of formal instruction ended at this point, and we made our way across the busy street to the beautiful public areas of the port. Totally renovated for the 1992 Olympics, this is an amazing area. Locals and tourists alike stroll the boardwalk, sit in the parks, and (as we did) have lunch in cafes that overlook the marina.
(Above - my lunch. Note Russian salad with small cone protruding. This became one of my faves.)
I must report that after this most amazing morning and early afternoon we returned to the hotel and did something so boring: laundry. This most necessary task was interesting also. The little laundromat was quite an experience. We are indebted to the kindness of two different merchants in the dingy little street who gave us change for our euros with a smile. The washer demanded four euros and 50 cents - exact change only. The dryer needed a two-euro coin - only. Sigh. We now have clean underwear.
This evening we returned to a little square that we discovered on this morning's walk and had a lovely dinner. Then back to the hotel - time to pack for Madrid! We leave early in the morning to catch the bullet train, and will return Thursday evening. I'll have my trusty netbook and will keep posting! But now - since we have a 5:45 a.m. get-up - to bed.
2 comments:
Madrid! Oh please share your experiences. This is a wonderful trip.
Sounds incredible, Nancy! Thanks for sharing your experiences!
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