We wandered around last night and had a lovely meal at a tapas bar, but having walked to the main tourist area it was reasonably expensive. This morning we got on the Hop On Hop Off bus (thanks for the tips, Di) and did one of the 3 routes the bus takes which was about a 2 hour trip around the sites and is a great way to orient yourself to the city. The main tourist areas - particularly Las Ramblas which is a pedestrian street whcih takes you down to the waterfront - are absolutely thronging with people. It may always be like that, but there are school holidays on and with Easter this weekend it is likely to be very busy. We have now realised that where we are staying is off the beaten tourist track a little and is therefore very quiet but only a short walk to the main areas.
Barcelona is really interesting with heaps of lovely shops (many of them very expensive - at least it's free to look!) and gorgeous neighbourhoods with lovely buildings. This below is typical of the neighbourhoods we have seen.
And of course there is plenty of evidence of the Gaudi architecture. Tomorrow we will do the other bus route which will take us to the Sagrada Familia.
Being Good Friday tomorrow the shops are shut so we went to the market and stocked up. The local market has a beautiful flower shop in the front, the markets in the middle with the butcheries, fish shops and charcuteries and fruit and vege shops and then a supermarket behind that, so there is everything we need while we are here. See our stock up below - we are enjoying trying different things so are cooking in our apartment tonight, and of course given that it is Spring here (although it's pretty cold), strawberries and asparagus are on the menu.
Happy Easter everyone.
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