After a very trying week that included both the passing of Marsha's Aunt Sonia and on the very morning of our departure the passing of Marsha’s mother Anne. Sonia died just two days after her 97th Birthday and my mother, who had a long and fulfilling life, at age 101.
Click Read More below right..
Click Read More below right..
It was difficult to leave but we agreed that if we had been able to ask Mom whether we should go she would have said yes.
So with heavy hearts and hugs from Larry and Suzanne we left Boston for the first leg of our trip, which took us to Gatwick Airport (London’s secondary airport). After an almost 3 hour layover we flew from Gatwick to Barcelona. Both flights were uneventful, uncomfortable and essentially sleepless.
So with heavy hearts and hugs from Larry and Suzanne we left Boston for the first leg of our trip, which took us to Gatwick Airport (London’s secondary airport). After an almost 3 hour layover we flew from Gatwick to Barcelona. Both flights were uneventful, uncomfortable and essentially sleepless.
Given our energy levels when we arrived in Barcelona we all appreciated the slight extravagance of arranging in advance to have a driver meet us and take us directly to our rented apartment as the prospect of having to take the bus into the city and then switch to a taxi was not appealing.
The apartment we rented in the old city (Bari Gotic) exceeded our expectations and we love the location. After showers and some quick unpacking Ben and I walked around the general neighborhood for a hour or so gawking at the architectural details on the buildings, the variety and quality of the graffiti, the myriad choices of restaurants, tapas bars, bakeries, and gelato shops within a few blocks. Meanwhile Harry chose to burrow under the covers.
Barcelona Cathedral
From Wikipedia: The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia also known as Barcelona Cathedral, is the Gothic cathedral and seat of the Archbishop of Barcelona, Spain. The cathedral was constructed from the 13th to 15th centuries, with the principal work done in the 14th century. The cloister, which encloses the Well of the Geese (see below with the geese and stone dog) was completed in 1448. In the late 19th century, the neo-Gothic façade was constructed over the nondescript exterior that was common to Catalan churches. The roof is notable for its gargoyles, featuring a wide range of animals, both domestic and mythical.
We went to a nearby Tapas bar for dinner and had a great dinner. On the way to dinner, I spotted a series of painted security screens that shop keepers pull down over their storefronts. Apparently to combat the ubiquitous tagging that is now a worldwide urban disease (I wonder if it is in China???) many store owners seem to have painted the screens with their own designs in the style of tagging.
Sensi Bistro is listed as number 76 out of 8205 restaurants in Barcelona . With this as an example we are now convinced that the quality of the food will be exceptional.
It was exceptional! Although we didn't take any pictures of the dishes we had this first night of our stay in Barcelona, we went back here Ben's last night in Barcelona and equally enjoyed ourselves, this time taking pictures of the dishes before we devoured them.
After this wonderful dinner, we had to walk it off by, wait for it, ... walking over to the highest rated gelato place, taking pictures along the way.
After this wonderful dinner, we had to walk it off by, wait for it, ... walking over to the highest rated gelato place, taking pictures along the way.
After dinner we retraced some of our steps to show Harry where we had been and fortuitously happened upon (OK we planned it) a gelato bar before returning to our apartment.
We are all looking forward to a good night's sleep and to morning coffee on the roof deck which is one flight up from our 6th floor aerie.