2- First Stop - Barcelona, Spain - 2000 Years Old

It is so warm and humid  here in Barcelona. We were both  happy to find our hotel which allowed us to open the bags and pull out the few summer clothes we brought,   I am so happy to have the heavenly Teva Sandals that Leischen said I should take with me.

We ate dinner tonight in the Gothic District.  There are plaza's everywhere and the number of restaraunts is phanominal . Almost everyone is eating outside .  We are enjoying our first tapas (small plates) There are street musicians on every corner to entertain us.  Leischen texted ( you aren't in Kansas anymore) :-)

Three family members in one foreign country and we have all decided to enjoy different parts of it.
Spain is a large country.   In location, it would be like having Leischen in Seattle,  Fred and I are in New York and Carol is in Galveston, TX.  

Fred and I will begin our trip in one of my "Bucket List" cities.   I can't say that I have wanted to see Spain all my life, but for some reason, Barcelona, is a city that has always intrigued me.  Perhaps it is the food channel and all the talk of tapas/ pintos and the charming local people. It could be the architecture that is more fanciful than any I  have hope to see.  Fred and I have taken travel location turns and I guess it is mine this time.  I first chose Italy for our first international vacation  and  Fred chose Paris amd France.  This will be a combination of of Barcelona and Morocco for me and Cordoba and Seville for Fred.

If you were to ask the people from Barcelona, they would not say that they are from Spain.   In their minds, they are from Catalonia.   They speak their own language, have their own history and would declare themselves sovereign if Spain would let them.    It is the home of Spain's wealth, agriculture, education and culture.  Thus, they are not sure why they need the rest of Spain.   Even before we enter the city, we know that we are to speak Catalonian or English.   Castilian Spanish ( spoken by the rest of the country) or Mexican Spanish ( what we actually know or are at familiar with )is forboaten in this region.

Some parts of the city (The Gothic Quarter) still remain from Medieval times but it is a very cosmopolitan area and the capital city of the Catalonia region.  In the next few days you see that it is known for it's fabulous but quirky architecture.   ( Gaudi is a well known architect that uses form, color and texture)   The television chef Anthony Bourdain considers it one of his favorite "foodie" cities in Europe.  



Here is a 3 minute quick look at some great Photos of the city of Barcelona

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gH0yROWo-wo

We ate dinner tonight in the Gothic District.  There are plaza's everywhere and the number of restaraunts is fanominal.  There are street musicians on every corner


I am hoping that we will have an opportunity to see the Barcelona Moon Garden.


A little sound of Spain.
Spanish Guitar     - Shut it off when you are done, this is 2 hours of music.  But you may want enjoy, at least for a little while.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwlOPnc5VSY