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per the cnn weather report it was suppose to be showering today - actually it was suppose to rainy and overcast most of my trip. lucky for me, it turned out absolutely spectacular. anyway, after a very busy first day, of course I got up late and missed the noon mass at the catedral along with the sardana dance (Barcelona's traditional dance, much like the Flamenco is Seville's). So instead I went straight to the Barceloneta harbor. Score! there was some kind of festival going on! There was a sort of competition or showcase with these dolls on stilts. Music, costumes, lots of local families milling about on a breezy Sunday afternoon. "Tradition since the 14th century, festivals today include 'giants' which are representative of BCN's 10 municipal districts." (Semler) |
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after a couple of hours i went of in search of the well reviewed restaurant Casa Sole. did I mention i've been hungry since yesterday? since i didn�t order starters and first courses, all i had was the baby lobster and squid - and lots of alchohol - so i was really looking forward to having some paella. when i got to the restaurant and tried the door and it didn�t open! i was so disappointed, especially after having walked a long way because I got a little lost. So here I was, disappointed, tired and hungry just standing there looking for an alternative in my guidebook when i saw a fashionable and distinguised couple walk towards the restaurant. i wanted to shout out "they�re closed!" and ... yep ... you guessed it - they walked right in. stupida! i was so hungry i couldn�t even work the door! so with no reservations, I secured a table and upon ordering was told that they only served paella for two. Dammit! How about their famous rice and fish dishes? Lo siento se�iorita, per duo personas solamente. Double dammit! Well of course nothing on the menu matched my little homemade Catalan phrasebook so i made a guess and pointed to Gambas a la plancha. Best darned six shrimp with the head and tail attached i ever had! I did find another restaurant that would cook me paella. i think the waiter in Catalan said that even though it�s for two they would make it for me ... at least i think that's what he said. anyway when i left some paella in the dish he was incredulous that I wouldn�t finish it. i told him no quiero! I'm no longer a member of the clean plate club. well he wouldn't hear of it and served the rest to me anyway. beyond full, i waddled my way to the beach to gaze at the mediterranean and sit a spell. |
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