Monday, March 4, 2019

Barcelona




We landed a little late on Friday, so it was a mad dash to meet our friend Maxi who was collecting us from the airport and driving us to town to catch a show.  It was not just a mad dash to get there for the start of the show but Maxi also had 2 shows to do that evening.



So, before we had even checked in to the hotel we were in the street watching ‘The Incredible Box’ by Cia La Tal.  A totally mad bonkers show that I absolutely loved. Wonderful characters and just total chaos of the best kind.  It made me laugh a lot.





We then had a great evening and meal catching up with old friends and making new ones before we finally made it back to the hotel.  We were staying in the Ramblas because it was nearish to the Circus and I chose the Hotel ‘Chic and Basic’ because it had a car in the reception.  The hotel was nice, though it was a bit odd as the room had a small kitchenette but nothing to use in it.  We also had a balcony which was really nice, especially as we had good weather. 




The next morning, we realised Barcelona took a while to wake so it was easier to have breakfast at the hotel and it wasn’t too bad and had options for me which is all good.  All the food places on my list to visit didn’t open till later in the day.

Today we spent exploring with a couple of shops on our list to visit.  One was ‘El rei de la Magia’ which calls its self The Oldest Magic Shop in the World and has been open since 1881.  When we went in there was a magic workshop taking place out the back with a bunch of kids.  Near the magic shop was an interesting mask shop.  We also visited a circus/juggling shop but had a bit of trouble finding it as I got distracted by street art.  Of course, just wandering around with a couple of shops as your destination you find lots of other interesting stuff.

We also headed to The Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art as there is a Keith Haring mural outside it.  Though it is not the original as that was somewhere else and it was redone here. 



We had lunch just around the corner at Vegetalia and I had a lovely Paella, which was really filling.  They have a few restaurants in the city.

We waited in line for ages to go on the cable car from the port up to Torre de Miramar on Montjuic Mountain.  The view was pretty good from up there, but it wasn’t really worth the wait and we realised once we got to the mountain it wasn't a long walk from the hotel.  We would have been better off just walking up to see the view.  There was possibly another cable car that took you further up the mountain but we didn’t have time to hunt it down.




I loved the architecture here and you really do need to spend a good deal of time looking up or you miss some wonderful sights.  Some elaborate and some just a little strange








One of the main buildings people visit and, on my list, to see was La Sagrads Familia which has been in construction since 1892 and is still not complete.  I had seen photos of it before I went but I was totally blown away by it.  Around every corner you were left just stood, shaking your head.  If I visit again, I would make time to go inside as I can’t even begin to imagine what it is like inside.  It is also hard to really describe in words that make sense.  A massive cathedral that is different at every turn and looks like there has been little or no planning, just pop another random bit here and then add a big Christmas tree near the top.





Ohla Barcelona Hotel is covered in loads of ceramic eyeballs.




The main reason we went to Barcelona was to see Circo Raluy Legacy #TheMagicFormula.  They had been at Port Vell for 3 months and this was their last weekend.  It really is a wonderful show and you fall in love with it even before you step foot inside.  All the vehicles and wagons seem authentic and old with amazing art work on everyone.  It really makes you feel like you have stepped back in time.  If you ever get a chance to see this show you must go.  







After the circus we grabbed some burritos just across the road at the Carabela Cafe.  Cheap and cheerful and full of flavor.  Nice place with great service.

Barcelona is great for street art and you can see lots just wandering around.  Before we came, I found a self-guided walking tour of Poblenou which took a while to get going but was great once you did and we even saw a few works in progress.  I guess this area is popular with street artists as there seemed to be a lot of abandoned buildings and boarded up areas. 








We weren’t to far from the beach so had a wander down. It felt like we should at least make a visit as we were so close, and it is a pretty good beach if you are into beaches. By this time, we had been wandering a long time and I really needed a wee and this is when we realized that there are very few public toilets even in a largely populated area like the beach.

Another place that was good for street art with a great atmosphere was ‘The Three Chimneys Urban Park’ which wasn’t far from our hotel and you could see the chimneys from our balcony.  It is also one of the city’s only purpose-built graffiti parks so the art changes often.  There was also a lot of street food here, but I opted to get cookies and desert from across the road at Avocados cafĂ©.


Lunch was at Enjoy Vegan which had lots of choice and good food but was quite small and very popular so there was a bit of a wait to order, then be served and even to pay, but it was all good as we weren’t in a hurry.  I even got gluten free cake to take away for later, except I ate it as soon as we got out the shop.

Our third night and we had another show to go to, recommended by our friend and having only been in Barcelona for a couple of days met someone we had met on the first day.  It was like we were locals already.  This was a small venue called Espai Piluso and a mixed show of various clown and circus skills.

Then totally stumbled across a great vegan/veggie tapas/burger place on the way home called the Jonny Aldana Bar.  It wasn’t even on my list and it did a great setein burger. I’m glad we found it late as it was small and there were only a few people seated.  I expect it would be quite busy during the day.  When I looked it up (on happy cow) it states it has vegan options which is maybe why it didn’t stand out for me but the only things I saw that weren’t vegan were cheese option for the burgers and the brownies.

There were many food places on my list that we just didn’t have time to visit.  Generally, I plan my visits to new places around food.  I like food.
I was sad we didn’t make it to Cat Bar, it sounded like the sort of place I would like (a punk vegan burger place) and this was confirmed even from the outside when it was closed, maybe if we visit again. 

We left early Monday morning to head to the airport so hadn’t had a chance to get anything to eat.  Airports can generally be a bit pants to find anything vegan and decent, but I was pleasantly surprised.  Before you go through passport control there is a food court that makes a lot of things from scratch.  So even though not advertised as such they can make things for you if asked.  I opted for fill a bowl up with various salads.  All were vegan except one which had feta.

Barcelona is a pretty big city with lots of different areas to explore. We were here for such a short time we really didn’t see that much and a lot of the time we did have we spent with friends which was nice.  I would like to visit again as there were so many things and places we didn’t manage to get to. Park Guell would be number one on the return visit list.