Barcelona Day 2

Saturday, 26th September.

Barcelona

After a big buffet breakfast which was good we went shopping -an interesting journey back and forth up and down laneways between the two main shopping strips. With a visit to a cathedral and a Cathedral Basilica on the way, bigger darker bolder (dirtier) with more altars, gold, glitz and ornamentation than in France(now looking very petite and sedate by comparison) - there were a couple of religious buildings abstained from visiting – but why are there so many? I thought of the Sacre Coeur on Montmartre and the similarities struck me about the coexistence between these mighty presences of the church and its denizens all going about their business in their shadows. Cannot believe that Iam still off the fags and happy.

Mary found a few items and we received the royal Spanish reception again – compounded this time by demands of shop assistants to see our passports to prove our identity – of course Mary and I look like gypsy terrorist pick-pockets trying to make a fortune buying a few items of clothing – cos that’s what those pesky thieves in Spain do, when they’ve stolen your cards and passports? One observation though – is that the winter coats we have seen in France and Spain are fantastic with lots of appliqué, embroidery and collage, colourful designs, odd stitching and lots of big bright shiny buttons – none the same(cannot have too many buttons and zips).
No matter but we ploughed on up to Gaudi’s masterpiece – a 6 or 7 story house which he totally renovated and redesigned every square inch of its interior and exterior. As the guide book tells us Gaudi at his hallucinogenic best – it was lovely, not a straight corner or hard right angled edge to be seen, the carved wood work around doors, stained glass windows, staircases and floors was beautiful. Some of the colours had faded but it was great to realise that when one is a genius in Spain, you really get the royal treatment and support to realise your ideas to the fullest.
We had a rest before going out for dinner and tackle Spain at its liveliest once again. Yep, Saturday night dinner was everything and a bit more, as we have come to expect in Barcelona. Michael & Karol had found a good authentic Tapas bar to start proceedings. I was not aware of this particular Spanish custom and its protocols and got a bit annoyed by the ridiculousness of having to physically push and battle with hordes of people to the get the best tapas. My frustration increased because I thought this was going to be our dinner, until Mary explained the process. After which we explored the lanes and alleyways and found an authentic Spanish restaurant which had been operating since 1783 (it looked as tho all its staff had been there since that time too) – although we thought we did not have a chance to get in at 10pm - because the place looked packed from outside and a group of 20 people just beat us in. The old maître d’ just smiled and beckoned and we followed - the place had organically increased in size over its 2 centuries if existence by taking over other rooms and apartments in the building (as in France – Spain also hides what it holds precious and there is a surprise around every corner) – all its staff were women over 50 or 60 years of age – there were photographs and sketches all around the walls of famous people who had eaten there – opera singers including Dame Joan Sutherland – and the food and wine was great – we relaxed and had a ball (of course).

Then to finish off the night we headed to the Aussie bar, “Hogans” and watched a replay of the AFL grand final – and finally made it home bout 1.30, an early night by Spanish standards.