Rediscovering Barcelona

Since this is the third time we've been to Barcelona in the last five years, we didn't feel we had to jump right into sightseeing.  Our first priority for the week was to stock the refrigerator.  Luckily, one of the largest grocery stores in the city is right at the end of our block.  El Corte Ingles is a large department store facing Placa Catalunya, and the entire basement is food - a full service grocery, plus a chocolatier, a charcuterie, a pastry shop, a gelateria, a gourmet shop, a candy shop. It's foodie heaven.

Passeig de Gracia

After stashing the groceries in the fridge, we headed out in search of a sunny spot for a cup of coffee. We headed north up Passeig de Gracia, a wide, tree-lined boulevard that is a mix of shops and restaurants.  Sitting in a sidewalk café makes for some great people watching. 









From there it was back to Placa Catalunya -- to just take in all that this central plaza offers.  Scott made friends with the mounted police, trading stories of broken ankles.  


fountain, Placa Catalunya

the guy next to Scott broke his ankle three times...
Scott told him to wait 'til he turns 70!

We started down Las Ramblas, a largely pedestrian thoroughfare that extends from Placa Catalunya to the statue of Christopher Columbus at the port. This is probably the city's most famous street... and one of its most crowded. 

Las Ramblas

our street

We only made it about four blocks before Scott's ankle was starting to hurt.  We returned to our little street.  We are on Carrer de los Moles, a narrow street.  It's not totally a pedestrian street, but it is too narrow for most traffic.  Our taxi dropped us at the top of the street and we walked down to No 25.