It's not Spain....

Well I am staying in a hostel in a big city in Europe.... Me going sleep at 2300 hrs was early!  The two Brits in the back part of the room giggled for an hour or so watching videos on line. Sometime around 0100 hrs the Asian women in the bed near me came in.  The heat did not work so well and I was cold. 

Now somebody's alarm sounded around 0900 hrs, but there was no movement. I finally decided to get up at about 0930 / 1000 hrs.  For 2,3€ I had juice, coffee and some buns at my hostel. 

Then these two arrived back after shopping for their breakfast. Not big on sweets in the morning they have come back with olives, tomatoes and stuff. Bettina and Traute (trout er) from Berlin. 

We discussed where we had been and where we would go today.  

Then I walked  the 6 or 7 mins to the subway.   I did not notice the day before, it's one big subway car. 

Down to Las Ramblas... It's Sunday and many people are out today...

And down some side streets

Not all the shops are open today. Many of the roll down doors cover up the closed shops.  This door was getting a paint job. My picture covers much of his painting, or at least the shading and perspective he was spray painting. 

There were artists in the open areas. 

I did not stop at the happiness station, nor the food shops in the other open area below.  I did stop into a few patisseries for lunch though. 

Cool building..

These folks are queuing for lottery tickets. 

I loved all these little streets..

I actually walked around and around the same streets trying to find the Picasso museum. 

Then I found the street that led to the street near the area where it was...

And again another demonstration rally. This one was really big.  I found out later at night the rally was against cuts/ decisions of a workers union ... I think.  There is much unhappiness in this country with its government and workers.  Like many countries!!

This is an old Roman wall. 

I finally found the museum. It was the last Sunday of the month which means it was free after 1500 hrs. It was about 1330 hrs. I decided to pay, rather than stall the visit and deal with the inevitable crowds.  

I was able to lock up my coat and my backpack for the visit which was nice. I paid for the headset tour which was quite interesting.   Picasso was really talented at a young age!  I like his stuff, but not the really funky sideways stuff as much. 

When I came outside this guy had these little dancing Simpson's characters.  I wanted to get closer, but did not want him trying to sell them to me!

Then I saw this guy setting up.  And so did the little girl.  She was very interested. 

But when the little puppet dog came out, she was scared of it and ran back to her mom!

It's hard to get tired of these streets and buildings, so interesting...

I did finally wander out the area and down to the waterfront. Oh, look the circus is in town!

No I did not go to the circus.  

The sun was setting ... giving the sky a nice colour. 

It's Chris Columbus pointing out to sea!

I wandered by the Aquarium and almost went for a tour. 

This guy seemed upset that someone had broke the window!

More artwork ... I like the sheepies in the bottom right!

Found a shopping mall on the waterfront. I headed in for dinner at Barcelona's version of Bread Garden .. Buenas Migas.  Started with a spinach cheese pie and finished with a hot chocolate and a piece of very chocolate cake!

I will have to stop eating soon.. when my vacation is over. 

Barcelona has many bikes you can rent easily...  I like walking I am not in a hurry. 

Back to Las Ramblas. 

No, he is not a statue, he moves. 

Folks are quite proud of their country here... And that mean Catalonia, not Spain! Flags everywhere. 

I went down this street in the daytime. The light's had looked like bicycles hanging up. 

But you know it was 1930 hrs now and I was tired of walking.  So I hopped back on the subway a few stops earlier. 

There are faster ways home, but I stick with the L3 line for 10 stops or so to get home. They announce every station stop...  Prox ee ma  sta cee own ....

As I arrived home the two women from Berlin were heading out to a local shop for dinner and I decided to join them.  

No I was not going eat again...just a glass of wine.  We discussed our day's travels. I left before them, to update things and to bed by ... Midnight.