BARCELONA, WE MADE IT!

 Hotel Gaudi

Carrer Nou de la Rambla, 12, 

Barcelona, Spain

Sunny, 57F

We traveled from 1:40 p.m.  to 6 a.m. EST the next day on 3 jets from Erie, through Charlotte, JFK in NYC, then on to Barcelona--the flights were relatively smooth, and we ate well on Iberian Air. TK is such a master travel planner and he made sure we had larger premium seats, just the two of us in the aisle, 1st row, with lots of leg room and easy access to the bathroom.  

On   the way to the   hotel I noticed this interesting cemetery with crypts dug into the "mont." 

This is Montjuic Cemetery--organized in 1883

Warm weather greeted us as we found our preplanned  taxi driver who drove us to Hotel Gaudi, which is about 1/2 block from Las Ramblas, a favorite and well known tree lined street in the older part of the city.  So many people share our love of strolling this street. After we freshened up a bit (about 3 p.m. BCN time-9 a.m. in Erie), we did just that. There is so much to do! 

Las Ramblas--will post better photos  tomorrow!

Our first stop was Mercado de La Bouqueria, the famous market,  The smells, colors, textures, variety, are amazing, from marzipan candy, to sea urchins, to empanadas, to pomegranates, to emu eggs and Kalamati   olives!  

Eggs, including emu and ostrich!

Beautiful vegetables!

The market

By now I could see that TK was fading and he wanted to eat--we stopped at La Poma where we have eaten before and shared a pizza with Iberian ham, tomatoes, arugula, mozzarella, parmesan cheese, and tomato sauce, and Coke Zero.  I love the little robot they  use to deliver the food, but not the pizza,  

La Poma restaurant

menu

our pizza

A darling little robot that carries plates to diners

I don't sleep on airplanes, so why I was OK, I don't know, but we returned to the hotel so TK could rest and I could write. He did a wonderful job of planning this trip! 

TK's Takes:  He wishes there were benches along Las Ramblas for sitting.  He was cranped on the first two flights, but thought the flight overseas was much better, but very long. Great seats!

WE ARRIVED IN BARCELONA!

Hotel Pulitzer
Barcelona, Spain
Thursday, November 3, 2022 / 4:25 p.m. Erie time/EDT
20C

The Airbus 320 flight of one and one half hours brought us smoothly to Barcelona.  A young lady from Portugal who lives and works in Zurich was our seatmate. She was on her way to a business conference in Barcelona. At the end of the flight she gave us a package of toothbrushes as a a gift--she represents the manufacturer, Curaprox (Curaden in the U.S.), an oral hygiene company.  Usually I do not interact with anyone on a flight, but I am glad I did. Her English was impeccable.  

Our new Curaprox toothbrushes

We alse learned that the pilot's "first mate," landed the plane and was awarded his wings as a Captain at the end of the flight. Everyone applauded and there were many flight officers waiting outside the plane to congratulate him. We never witnessed this "ceremony" before and it was sweet to see this honor bestowed.

TK captured the Swiss Alps as we flew by

We arrived about 9 a.m. Erie time and because of TK's skillful planning our taxi driver was awaiting with a sign to take us to the hotel.  After easily checking in, I took a few photos of our room and promptly crashed in the bed.  TK showered and did the same. This is against our usual rules, but we  aren't 20 years old anymore.  We woke up about 9 p.m. Barcelona time and hope to be peppier tomorrow!

Hotel Pulitzer

Barcelona, Spain

The bath

Coffee Central!

This is obscene. What were we thinking?

TK's Takes: He is happy there is a store right across the street (he already ran over for water and Coke Zero). He says he feels pretty good!