Following two days of croissant filled travel,we arrived in Barcelona at high noon.
Bright, warm sunshine was on our backs,
the city packed with people savoring Sunday's relaxation.
the city packed with people savoring Sunday's relaxation.
Life bubbled everywhere, the charm of an area relies on its residents more than its buildings. Bursting with narrow alleys and balconies
(many lined with laundry, as most everywhere in Europe is),
grand boulevards and a chic new part of town we drifted in and out of places.
"The Ramblas" is Spain's most famous street
and was located out the hotel's front door.
A mile long pedestrian boulevard daily is lined with vendors selling a wide variety of goods,
including pets such as hamsters, birds, turtles, baby chicks and gold fish .
Historically children would plead with parents to take a Sunday stroll
and bring home a new friend to clean up after.
Talented musicians and mimes entertained,
creating a festival atmosphere.
Barcelona is a part of Spain's Catalonia region which is fiercely independent.
Sunday's at noon on the square in front of the Cathedral of Barcelona
people gather and dance a "Zorba the Greek style" number.
Sardana dance is considered both patriotic and fun,
it's a sharing of community.
Gracefully participants hop and sway in a circle
to live music provided by twelve piece bands.
Sunday's at noon on the square in front of the Cathedral of Barcelona
people gather and dance a "Zorba the Greek style" number.
Sardana dance is considered both patriotic and fun,
it's a sharing of community.
Gracefully participants hop and sway in a circle
to live music provided by twelve piece bands.
Shopping bags and purses are put in the center of circles for two reasons,
first to symbolize a bond and unfortunately to prevent theft.
Since tourism has grown so has pickpocketing.
Being a seasoned world traveler,
I put my small billfold in my boot on the leg.
I feel safe and its slows down purchases.
(This is confidential info.)
first to symbolize a bond and unfortunately to prevent theft.
Since tourism has grown so has pickpocketing.
Being a seasoned world traveler,
I put my small billfold in my boot on the leg.
I feel safe and its slows down purchases.
(This is confidential info.)
I developed this strategy for my piece of mind as well as those I travel with. Several years ago when my sister, Jean, and I went visiting our brother in South Carolina, after two days of watching me frantically dig in my purse or wondering where it was, she strongly suggested I turn anything of importance over to her. Tom, to this day, tends to roll his eyes when my "oh no!" look surfaces.
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