THIRD WEEK!

I am starting my third week -- time is just whizzing by. Your responses have been so good and positive to this blog, but if you are getting tired of seeing the sights and architecture, I understand. I am still going strong and loving every minute of my stay.

Tuesday (9/1) evening I am invited to the north side of town for dinner with friends. Mike is awesome in the kitchen; not only is he very good, but he enjoys cooking and it is reflected in his excellent meals.

From left to right: Mike, Janet (friend), Terry (known him for 33 years) and his daughter Lydia who is the Peace Corp volunteer serving in Cameroon. I kissed the soles of her feet when she was a baby.

Yesterday morning it was raining lightly -- not pouring. When I went out on the balcony it is enough that people are carrying umbrellas. It clears off about 11:00a.

I will probably end up with $315 worth of metro tickets (just kidding). I love the system and will go down and pop up at some stop to explore the area.

I went south to the Drassenes metro station – here are some shots I took while exploring the area.

Great door

Love

One of the many drinking fountains

Miscellaneous buildings

A non-vehicular street.

The Columbus Monument is a 197 ft. tall monument to Christopher Columbus at the lower end of La Rambla. It was constructed for the Exposición Universal de Barcelona (1888) in honor to Columbus first voyage to the Americas. The monument serves as a reminder that Christopher Columbus reported to Queen Isabella I and King Ferdinand V in Barcelona after his first trip to the new continent.

The column, hung with a device bearing an anchor, stands on an octagonal pedestal from which four bronze winged victories or Phemes take flight towards the four corners of the world, above paired griffins. Four buttresses against the octagonal pedestal bear portrait medallions that depict persons related to Columbus.

This is the back of the monument; I will get back down there at take a picture of Christopher Columbus from the front.

Another great day in Barcelona!