Day One Barcelona

We're here in Barcelona.  We're staying for four nights in the Hotel 1898 in the heart of La Rambla.  The room is a bit pricey but it's really nice.  Stepping outside, you immediately see the beauty of La Rambla.  The architecture of Barcelona is uniquely Art Nouveau Modernisme.  If fact, it's the architecture found throughout Catalunya, the region in which Barcelona is located.  Modernisme flourished after 1854 and continued into the 1920s.  It's everywhere in Barcelona and it's just stunning.  You will see some pictures throughout our blog on many of these buildings. 

Stepping out onto La Rambla you find a street with an island in the middle that is about 80-90 feet wide.  Shops flourish up and down La Rambla on this island.  On the sides of the streets, there are shops, shops, places to eat, and more shops.  Thousands of people are roaming La Rambla as well as other nearby streets until late into the evening.  I really meant to say early next morning. 

La Rambla Just Outside Our Hotel

The first thins we wanted to do was explore a bit down the La Rambla to the harbor area.  It was a leisurely walk past the shops for about 3 blocks.  And then we discovered the Mercat.   The Mercat is an open, but covered, market place.  The fruit, vegetables, fish, meats and poultry as well as candy, spices from around the world and eating establishments was a remarkable treat.  We were in there for about 90 minutes. 

The Main Entrance to The Mercat

And then we saw the food stands. 

 

You get the idea.,  I've never seen such a great display of food.  We had lunch which consisted of three tapas with some lettuce and dressing picante.  It was quite good.  We found a nice table but it appears that all of the tables around the perimeter of the Mercat are run by small bars and restaurants that do not have stands in the Mercat.  As soon as you sit down with food that didn't come from their establishment, they are quick to tell you.  Interestingly, they are quite nice and they would at least like to sell you something to drink.  Many people had a beer.  Mary and I had a Coke Light.  Below is what our lunch looked like. 

Lunch at The Mercat