Tuesday, June 25

 

Missed the all-you-can-eat toast buffet breakfast again. Darn! 

I walked down Las Ramblas again this morning. It is a busy pedestrian commercial zone. There are small stalls selling souvenirs, pastries, candy, pet animals, flowers, ice cream... 

There a few cool things along the way. The fountain/bench/lamppost, the Academy of Sciences and Arts official local time clock, ancient Roman burial ground and turtles for sale. 

Off the center of Las Ramblas is the Boqueria Market. This market, who's beginnings trace back to the 1200's, has stalls selling all kinds of food items. Tourist wander through taking pictures while the old ladies selling fruit and meat yell at you not to take pictures. "This is not a museum." They say. But it is just that, a museum of food, a museum of people, a museum of life. I snacked my way across the market: pineapple & coconut juice, Iberian ham, a beef and cheese pastry thing. 

I stopped at the grocery store and picked up stuff for sandwiches and a few packets of Ramen (which is not as cheep here approx. $1/packet). I had chicken ramen and a grilled ham and cheese sandwich. It was nice to be back in a kitchen. 

In the late afternoon i toured another Gaudi house, Casa Mila. I didn't like this one as much as Casa Batllo. It had period furnishings in all the rooms but not the ones original to the house. Again the tour included the roof, attic and an apartment. 

Apartment rooms

Roof chimneys & towers

On the roof

Parabolic arches in the attic. 

Yes I take pictures of flooring. My dad is so proud. 

My roommates this stay have been very nice and Lucus, the guy from Germany, offered to make everyone dinner. He picked up all the ingredients and we (Francesca and Emily from the UK and I) helped cleaning and chopping. He made a wonderful Ratatouille and rice. He is a vegetarian. It was delicious. The four of us had a great time cooking and hanging out. We played Foosball/table football Francesca and I against Emily and Lucas. The first game tied 6-6 so we played a second inning. Final score 12-10 Francesca an I won. We hung out late talking and playing hangman to guess everyone's last names. Mine definitely was the most unusual.  It was a wonderful evening with delightful people.