November 14, 2009
We arrived in Barcelona this morning. After disembarking, we took a taxi to our hotel, the Hotel Continental Barcelona on the Ramblas.
We had a balcony room overlooking the Ramblas. It was 105 euros per night. I chose this hotel because of its proximity to the metro, the Ramblas and for the all day fruit, vegetable, breads and beverage buffet. The beverages were Pepsi soft drinks, orange flavored drinks, milk, beer and wine.
After checking in, we were off to see Barcelona. We went to the metro station and tried to buy tickets from the automated machines. It wouldn't take our euro bill, credit card or debit card. We didn't see anyone in the ticket booth, so we went in search of an ATM. I thought that the reason it wouldn't take my 50 euro bill was because it was too large. I was able to get two 20 euro bills and tried those in the machine. Still no luck.
We decided to walk along the Ramblas and while doing so, we found a tourist information booth. We were able to buy 2 day transportation passes there. These worked on the metro, the funicular and the buses.
We took the metro to Passeig de Gracia. Locals nicknamed the block between Consell de Cent and Arago the "Block of Discord" because the buildings look like they are trying to outdo each other.
The most famous building is Antoni Gaudi's Casa Batllo. He based his design on the legend of St. Jordi (George) slaying the dragon. The roof is the dragon's back complete with scales, bones in the bottom windows (dragon's mouth), and the sword of St. George (the chimney).
Then we took the metro to Gaudi's Sagrada Familia (Holy Family Church). He started this church in 1883. The building is funded by private donations and entry fees.
After Sagrada Familia, we took the metro to a stop where we boarded a bus to go to Parc Guell. We started to worry that we were on the wrong bus after a long ride, so we got off and took the metro back to our hotel to get our bearings and to take a break.
After a short "siesta," we headed off on the metro to Montjuic and the Joan Miro museum. I am the art specialist at an elementary school and we studied his "People and Dog in the Sun" painting. I was very interested in seeing more of his art work.
We rented the audioguides to help us understand his artwork. We weren't allowed to take photographs inside the museum, but we could outside where there were several Miro sculptures. A very interesting artist! We ate lunch at the museum cafe.
We had an evening snack in our hotel. Then spent the rest of the evening sitting on our balcony and watching the entertainment and people on the Ramblas.
We arrived in Barcelona this morning. After disembarking, we took a taxi to our hotel, the Hotel Continental Barcelona on the Ramblas.
We had a balcony room overlooking the Ramblas. It was 105 euros per night. I chose this hotel because of its proximity to the metro, the Ramblas and for the all day fruit, vegetable, breads and beverage buffet. The beverages were Pepsi soft drinks, orange flavored drinks, milk, beer and wine.
After checking in, we were off to see Barcelona. We went to the metro station and tried to buy tickets from the automated machines. It wouldn't take our euro bill, credit card or debit card. We didn't see anyone in the ticket booth, so we went in search of an ATM. I thought that the reason it wouldn't take my 50 euro bill was because it was too large. I was able to get two 20 euro bills and tried those in the machine. Still no luck.
We decided to walk along the Ramblas and while doing so, we found a tourist information booth. We were able to buy 2 day transportation passes there. These worked on the metro, the funicular and the buses.
We took the metro to Passeig de Gracia. Locals nicknamed the block between Consell de Cent and Arago the "Block of Discord" because the buildings look like they are trying to outdo each other.
The most famous building is Antoni Gaudi's Casa Batllo. He based his design on the legend of St. Jordi (George) slaying the dragon. The roof is the dragon's back complete with scales, bones in the bottom windows (dragon's mouth), and the sword of St. George (the chimney).
After returning to our hotel, we walked the entire length of the Ramblas. It was Saturday evening and lots of activity. People dressed as statues and in costumes, dancing, and other acts to earn money from passersby.
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