OCTOBER 9 -
from Seattle. We first saw them in Cinque Terre at our hostel. We then ran into them in Maraco at the train station. They both just graduated from college and are traveling for three months before they start looking for jobs.
We managed to find our way back to the hostel. I was really tired because I haven't been able to sleep. This room will be much quieter because I can't see or hear the street. I can only hear the pigeons who have made their home around here.
October 10, 2003
I spent most of the day on a bus, just around Barcelona. Barcelona is a big place. The bus was a tour to tell us about some of the sights and areas. It was an audio tour. I don't think it was that good. You could get off and on at certain stops if you wanted to see anything.
We got off at a stop because I wanted to find the English Bookstore. We found it, but it was closed. Siesta time I guess. At this point Laurie and I took the subway to Guell Park across town. The park had different art work done by Gaudi. He uses ceramic tiles in a lot of his work and it usually contains wavy shapes. It is on a hill and there is a good view of the city.
After we walked out of the park we picked up the tour bus to go back where we started. From there we walked trying to find the cinemas. Last night we had seen a cinema and I went in to ask if they had movies in English. He said no and then went to great lengths to let us know where the other cinemas where they had English movies. He was so sweet. I haven't met anyone in awhile that tried to help us without speaking English. Anyway we found the cinemas that the man told us about. There were 15 movie theaters and the movies are supposedly in English. We just wanted to see what was playing. Since we will be here for so long, it will be something to do. That was pretty much my day. I was in the hostel about 9:30.
October 11, 2003
Since most of yesterday was spent on the bus, today we spent it on foot. We walked all over. The first place we headed for was the information center. On the way we saw this market, so we decided to go in. It is called the Mercat de la Boqueria. It is huge and sells any kind of fish, shell or nut, fruit and vegetables, and meat. The meat includes every part of the animal, from head to feet to brain to kidneys. It was a great market, but after seeing some of the meat I had enough. Some of the animal meat where whole animals. There was one that Laurie and I saw and we weren't quite sure what it was. I looked it up in the dictionary--it was rabbit. It had head and all. I wonder what they do with the head. Maybe I don't want to know.
After going to the information center, we walked to Placa de Glories Catalanes. There was suppose to be a flea market there. When we first got there we had to laugh. It looked like a bunch of homeless people had set up their blankets and had stuff they picked up out of the trash. Across the street was the real flea market. It had permanent stalls set-up. There was everything there from toilets, new mattresses, new furniture to clothes, shoes, and hardware items. I even saw stoves there. They had old 45 records and 33 LP's I even saw a Motown one, Diana Ross and the Supremes. Laurie bought a few things and I bought nothing.
We then strolled to La Sagrada Familia which is a church that Gaudi had started in 1882. It is still not finished. It has eight towers done which are over 100 meters, but it is suppose to have 10 more. The church is different and I can't say I like it.
We continued to walk around the streets. Laurie then went shopping and I sat in Placa de Catalunya reading, eating, and watching people. I then strolled down La Rambla and enjoyed watching all the entertainers from flamingo dancers, piano players, street gamblers, human statues, and Spanish bands. I didn't have to walk far to go from one to the other.
Then I was amused watching this pigeon stealing the parakets food out of the cage. I then came to all of the beautiful flower stalls. The colors and smells were wonderful. I don't think I could be bored around in this city.
Laurie and I walked down to catch the subway to go to see the Magic Fountains. They only go at night and there are lights and music. The water fountain display was beautiful. Going in all different directions and with different displays. The music wasn't great, but I enjoyed the water display. From there, we walked back to the hostel.
October 12, 2003
I didn't get out of bed until 8:45. I have gotten so bad about getting up. I need to start getting up early because I start school tomorrow. We had to check out of the hostel by 11:00 so Laurie and I left after breakfast. We went to this church that was suppose to have Spanish dancing. We got there real early. It was fun to watch the people while I waited.
The dance was not what I expected, so Laurie and I left to go check into the school. We are staying in a room where the school is. The room is large with our own bathroom and we also have a TV.
