Sunday in the Park

With the church bells of Barcelona ringing all about us we started out for what would be a day in Parc Quell. Deciding before we left the flat that we would want to walk all around the park once we got there we decided we’d hop on the Metro for the initial trip there.  For many years Bob and I both rode Bart (Bay Area Rapid Transit) to and from work so we clearly at ease on a Metro.  Somehow are confidence must have shown because we were no sooner at the Metro Station then tourists started asking Bob for assistance.   I think they could have asked the station attendant but Bob’s English was better!! 

Even riding the Metro for the initial part of the trip it is still quite a hike once you get off the Metro to the park itself.  The walk however was through a delightful neighborhood just waking up to its Sunday.  It was just about noon when we spotted what looked like a very local café, touristy yes but still very much holding on to its Spanish integrity.  Well no better way to start our afternoon in the park then with a beer and a snack.  Once inside we were about to just order some French fries but the owner wouldn’t have it.  For almost no additional money we could have his special meatballs in tomato sauce and just as many French fries.  Of course, you are not going to insult a man’s wife in one of these places we would love the meatballs.  And, they were very tasty indeed.  Because it was small and tucked away I got a bit brave with my Spanish and enjoyed testing my limits.  Fortunately for me both the owner and his son spoke fairly slowly and were also drinking beer with us!!

After a most pleasant stop we rejoined the tourists, albeit a new group but all tourists just the same walking to the park.  Like all things Gaudi you can glance at it and be done or you can engage in it and be mesmerized.  On Bob’s first trip to Barcelona I think he only glanced at it but this time he is engaging and it is so enjoyable to watch his awe and appreciation grow.  We spent a couple of ‘hot’ hours in the park and decided it was time to leave the park to the crowd and head to our next stop.  We had no idea where that next stop should be so we simply checked out the Metro map and decided with just a few stops we could be at Port Vell. 

It was Sunday and Port Vell was just as busy as Parc Quell had been…….it is summer in Barcelona after all.  We weren’t at the port very long, in fact still walking into the port when the bridge we were on needed to be raised in order to let a couple of sailboats pass by and with the delay the crowd really built up and packed in.  As soon as the bridge came back down there was this commotion behind us and quickly right by us, apparently a man had tried to steal a woman’s backpack but the man she was with grabbed on to it and the two of them where running through the crowd tugging at the backpack.  The right guy won and the villain ran off…….it was the first touch of crime I have seen since I’ve been here and I know it happens everywhere but it made me sad none the less.

After a walk around the port we were tired, thirsty and dirty so we headed to the wine bar for a beer before we headed home………I know it’s a wine bar and we wanted beer but this place is the one Sue and I discovered just before she left.  It’s only about three blocks from my flat but tucked away from the crowd and is a respite from the noise and the crowds that are so close yet so far away.  I’ve become friends with Michael (cute guy pictured above) and wanted Bob to meet him.  I was really glad we stopped by because Michael is leaving on a three week vacation and the wine bar……..I have no idea what the name is…….is going to be closed for a week so our timing was great.

Bob wanted to experiment with dinner so we agreed not to go to one of my known favorites but to go out and scout around until we found something very Spanish.  The place we selected was fairly close to Placa Reial by the name of Santa Monica’s.  It was a nice restaurant with white tablecloths, hard wooden chairs and music that was just a bit too loud.  Bob ordered lamb chops and got a plate full!!  Truly he was served seven of the largest lamb chops I had ever seen.  I ordered a ‘langostas’ dish…..I’m still working on getting used to my lobsters being served with their eyes peeking back at me from my plate.

Just another delightful Sunday in Barcelona……………..