Barcelona the next day

Barcelona, the next day

We headed out to the underground metro to make out way to La Sagrada Famila. While passing Catalan Square we realized there was a huge protest going on. Television cameras and media were everywhere, along with many demonstrators. The crowds were roaring.

Underground, it took us forever to figure out how to get tickets to the metro. We went to three machines before we found one that worked. Finally…..Sagrada Famila is a cathedral that has been an ongoing process of building for 400 years. Gaudi took over as architect at the age of 32 and had free reign on the gothic design. They expect completion of the cathedral by 2026, the 100 year celebration of Gaudi’s death. He is buried at this cathedral. It is the tallest building in Barcelona.

While at lunch, Don and Elio were approached by innocent enough looking young ladies, they looked like college students with clipboards. The waiter of the restaurant comes running out to chase them off. We found out they are gypsies, working in gangs to rob/pickpocket you while distracting you. All was good, we didn’t loose anything.

Lunch was just outside the cathedral, then hopped back on the train to Las Ramblas and our hotel.


The demonstration has gotten larger by this point.

Dinner was at another marina restaurant. I had squid ink feduilla, which was spectacular, with a goat cheese salad preceding it. Others got fish, shrimp, octopus, foie gras, seafood soup, squid, and paella. Most enjoyed their meals.

Hailing a taxi to return was not a problem. The problem was getting anywhere near Las Ramblas, where out hotel was. We were let out several blocks away because the demonstration now had gotten so large, all streets were blocked and the demonstrators had now made a sit it. The sit in went on forever, taking us Las Ramblas and the surrounding streets.

We made it back to the hotel with no other hiccups, but it was certainly an experience.