Another day walking around this amazing city. We started later than usual. Paella and sangria for dinner last night and a late stroll around the local area meant a bit of a sleep-in this morning.
We decided to join a walking tour of the old city, our guide Juan Carlos, actually a New Yorker (the name gave it away didn't it) did a great job of explaining the history of the city that had its foundations in Roman times. We walked around the old castle, passed the steps that Columbus trod - how great is that - when he returned from the new world.
Juan Carlos pointed out things that we would have easily missed and he was enthusiastic and knowledgeable about all sorts of things from medieval history to the civil war (This is a church facade that was bombed during the civil war. The scars from the blast have been left as a sort of memorial.)
and the great artists who have lived here.
We walked past the Barcelona Cathedral (that we only got to see from the outside) and heard about the various local patron saints and their gruesome deaths. A visit back here and to the local museum will be on the cards if we can fit it in. The tour lasted nearly 3 hours and we enjoyed every moment of it.
A quick drink (beer for Chris and Sangria for me) with all the tour group was a fun way to end, good company and lots of travel stories. We then had a late (very late - close to 4 o'clock) lunch with an American couple who we met on the walk. History, new friends, good food and exercise all rolled into one great experience. What more could we ask for.
We did intend to stay on La Ramblas but foot weary we decided to head back to the apartment.
We hope to make an early start and get in line at the Sagrada Familia before the tour groups descend in their hundreds. I reckon we have a good chance as the queue starts only a hundred yards from our front door, but some of those tour guides are very determined so it may be every man for himself!
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