I am so fickle! for the last 3 days I have been absolutely in love with Barcelona. From our beautiful little hotel...Praktik Rambla...that overlooked the beautiful Ramblas de Catalayuna we just waltzed out every morning into this world of magnificent architecture, wonderful little tapas restaurants, beautiful vistas, avenues of people out living their lives in this city. I was so in love! The Sagreda Familia Cathedral by Gaudi, the magnificent avenues with the walking paths in the middle and the bike paths on the sides, the port area with its parks, paths and people friendly areas -all so well planned and a joy to be in. We spent a whole day on the hop on hop off bus, going from route to route and drinking in all the sites we wanted to come back to. We started our days with croissants and Cafe con leche in one of many little cafes scattered throughout the city. Things couldn't be better! Buskers on La Rambla, a Spanish Guitar concert in an old church, a tour of the most magnificent Musica Palau in the world. I could have spent a whole week there and felt determined to come back and see all the things we missed.
We tore ourselves away this morning, taking a taxi to the Estacio Sants (train station) where we picked up our rental car. Not an easy start...the GPS wouldn't work, the maps were inadequate and then the gate to the car rental place wouldn't lift up to let us out. Oh, the gnashing of teeth and the swearing at things and..sadly...each other. Somehow Jurg managed to get us out of the city and onto the highway headed for Montserrat.
And, my love for Barcelona was losing its lustre....I am sure it could be rekindled in a moment if I was to see the place again..but like so many love affairs..at this moment we have moved on. Out to the open spaces of Spain, the semi arrid hills and rocks north of Barcelona and the magnificent of the Monestery of Monserrat! Sighs and ahhs as we took the old cable car to the top..of course only to find out we could have driven up! But, incredible church filled with tourists and pilgrims..all of us in search of something.
Now we have arrived in Zaragoza...just a small entry in Fodors...no star..but absolutely magnificent. I have fallen in love all over again! Roman ruins, Moorish castle and a church the size of 2 football fields...all along the biggest river in Spain the Ebro. Tomorrow we will spend some time exploring
Tonight Jurg watches another important football match downstairs in the lobby...a semi final for the European Cup.
Hasta Luego!
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