Day 2 in Barcelona

Hi all.   Last night, after doing important things like finding the laundromat (just around the corner), and doing two loads of washing (€3.50 per load), we wandered back to Rambla La Poblenou for dinner with thousands of others.  The hard part is choosing which place to eat at.  Well, really a matter of which one has a vacant table.  The weather was beautiful at 7.30 in the evening. We chose tapas again and sangria!  The best of the 5 tapas were the stuffed olives with anchovies.  They were great, just a subtle anchovy flavour.  Next best was the meatballs in sauce.  Very pleasant meal.  Typically, the Spanish don't eat until 8.30-9.30ish.  Something to do with the warm, humid weather.  A bit late for us.

This morning, we headed off on the train to visit the Museum of History of Barcelona.

It was a fascinating look at early relics of the Roman times here.  

Some of the archaeological remains have been moved to help form the museum, but much remains in place.  This is really old.  2000 years!

The line of bricks below was the sewer!

The ceramic pots below were used to ferment fish in the process of making Garum.  A smelly process!

Similar ones were used for wine.

The Royal Palace and the steps where the red carpet was laid out for Christopher Colombus to be greeted by the King and Queen.  They were seated just behind where I am standing.

Some of the houses nearby follow.  Intricate art work and most have iron balconies.

It was then on to Barcelona's most visited attraction, La Sagrada Familia.  4.5 million visit this place each year!  We pre booked at a set time so we didn't have to queue for long.

Quite amazing architecture, inside and out.  It is not huge inside, but very bright and attractive.  Gaudi wanted it to be light filled, conscious of window placements to maximise the light all day.

The photos don't do it justice.  Despite it being a modern Church, it still has the Gothic influence of typical "old" European churches.  It wasn't recognised by the Catholic Church until recent years and was only blessed by the Pope until 2010, it was a Temple prior to that.  

A close up of the intricate work on the Nativity side (most of this part was completed before Gaudi died)

Below is the Passion side 

The photo above gives a better idea of how the site is still under construction.  They are hoping to have it completed by 2026 for a commemoration (can't rember what for).  Most think that it will be an impossible task.  A closer look below.

We were booked to go up one of the Nativity towers, but when we arrived for our allotted time, the lift was out of action for the rest of the day, so we missed out.  (They refunded us for that part).  

You can book all these type of attractions on line and just rock up with your e ticket which is then scanned.  It really is an internet world.

Only one wrong train today.  Not a problem though.  The metro here is pretty good but can be a little confusing at times finding the right platform.  Some of the underground stations can be extremely hot too.  Those down a long way don't get much ventilation.  Fortunately all our trains have been air conditioned.

Time for dinner so Hasta Luego.