It's in the details ....

I slept in to about 0900 hrs, and was warmer with a second blanket.  

Bettina was not feeling well and only Traute was down at breakfast.  Kristian, the other helpful lad at this hostel was playing some Rodriguez from their tunes, then he pulled out the guitar and sang us House of the Riding Sun. 

Had a cup of coffee at the hostel while the phone charged for the day. Then I am off... Bought a pastry for breakfast. 

This is my hood, my subway stop...

First destination Park Guell.  From the subway station it was up, up up...but look they have outside escalators!

It was a great day for a big view. I did not find a great unobstructed viewing area though....

There is the Sagrada Famillia ...I will be closer to it later. 

Then on to the Park ...

I really did not know what I was about to see. 

Park admission lets me into an area that was designed by Guell and Guadi. It was originally designed as an exclusive neighbourhood for rich folks, but only a few lots sold.  And eventually given to the city.  Really funky architecture here...

Check out the broken tiles on the ledge. 

This is up on that ledge...

Okay closer look at ledge and view. 

This is underneath the ledge and columns. 

I could wait forever to get a picture with no one .. Instead here is a happy tourist couple. I did not get their names. 

This was a gift shop inside now. 

And you can see the queue on this one. 

But I waited my turn to go in. 

And took pictures while I waited. 

You know ... of all the people taking pictures. 

There were some little videos that played in each room about Gaudi and Guell.  The rooms were small with curvy walls and fun windows... Hard to capture with a picture. So I did not take any inside. 

Back to the metro ... Look at all the Catalan flags...

Okay this is the biggest vending machine I have ever seen. 

Now I am out on the street looking for two famous Gaudi designs... 

Nope not here. 

This the first... The Pedrera or Casa Mila

And then a walk around ... There are a lot of motor bikes in Barcelona. 

Cool buildings ..

Then after awhile this is finally located... Casa Batllo. 

Hobbit house on steroids...?

Then on to find the Sagrada Famillia.  I stopped in another Starbucks for directions and a coffee. 

Oh my, look what I found. 

... should I follow it?

You may remember I went by this when I first arrived from the airport. 

Still major construction going on.. Maybe finished by 2015 they say...

I decided not to go in as the line was quite long.  Every part of it is so detailed. 

Not sure what the story of the fruit is...

Then back on the metro to Barceloneta. This is an area near the Watetfront where I was yesterday... but different. 

Beach.  Surf is up!

Now this is a sand castle

I was waiting for this guy to catch a wave.. But it did not really happen. 

Looking back north or north east. 

Then I remebered that I had not eaten all day and went into a Buenas Migas for a focaccia bread and brie pizza like thing and a very dense granola bar called a flapjack that came with yogurt. 

Happy lobster...

And so as the sun sets on Barcelona.... my time in this little town is just about done. 

I am tired of walking again, so it is an easy decision to grab the metro back home rather than walk Las Ramblas one more time. 

I have asked if I could get into a private room tonight.  I have to be up really early to get to the airport.  I did not want to wake everyone with shower and packing.

They have given me a bed in another bunk room, but I will be alone. The bathroom is now down the hall and I am next to the street.  They have not charged me extra.  I promise to give them a good review. 

I have decided to have a car to the airport rather than metro and train.