Paulette, this one is for you.
Saturday I had to replenish my inventory of fresh fruit so I went up to the Market Boqueria. What a great place to wander except it was very, very crowded. I don't know what these are -- maybe spices?
This is the famous Jamón ibérico (ham). It is cut paper thin.
Pinotxo is ranked in the top five tapas bars in Barcelona – with seating for 12, the waiting line is way too long for me. Since I am not a tapas fan, this wasn’t on my to-do list.
Now this would be higher on my list, but I also passed on taking advantage of their skills.
The candy store is right up the street and I have probably passed it about 10 times. So far, so good, but I don’t think I am going to be able to hold off much longer.
I had hoped that on September 1st all the tourists would evaporate. WRONG – I swear on Saturday when I looked out my balcony and when I walked the streets, there were more people than what have been here in August.
Passed a church and took a couple of minutes to thank the Lord that I am here and loving it. I am truly so fortunate to have this opportunity to live here for a month.
With all the good, there is always something to offset it. I don’t know if they are homeless, but this is their chosen employment. I saw all three of these guys on more than one occasion. There are also a few women who have got their cup or bowl out asking for donations.
This pay phone must have paid off a jackpot once because I saw more guys checking it as they went by.
As disappointed I am in the MASSES of humanity on Las Ramblas, I have done a lot of side streets and I have done early morning. Barcelona does not even wake up until 10:00a and then come alive at Noon.
This is what it is like at 7:00a:
Lots of joggers of both genders
The street cleaners almost polish your shoes if you don’t move your feet.
You are sitting and patiently waiting for McD to open so you can get a cup of coffee.
Which reminds me, the franchise places do not have the same menu as the U.S. like they did years ago. I have stopped in just about all of them to view the menu and I am not sure of some of the things they are serving.
Starbucks sells coffee, but none of it ground; only whole beans -- I have checked out about three different places.
The blog posts may be by far less after this one. As I type my sister is flying over the pond and will arrive this afternoon. She will stay here in one of the two spare bedrooms until we both leave on the 16th. Eight days and I think she has a list of 26 places to sight-see. . .