Saturday morning in Barcelona, time to start the day with a hearty, nutritious breakfast.
But, where?
With Juan at La Boqueria Markets's
famed Pinotxo Bar but of course!
Juan is the fun-loving icon of this Barcelona institution.
Laurie devouring a Chucho
. . . AND SO GOOD FOR YOU TOO!!!
It was POURING as we ate breakfast
Counterproductive to our main goal of this mini-trip, a few days in the Sun on a Barcelona beach.
We strolled a bit through the Barri Gòtic district as we had a few hours until our 10:00 a.m. Spanish Civil War tour led by the incomparable and passionate SCW expert, Nick Lloyd.
SWEET RIDE!
These Go Cars are equipped with a GPS system and Audio Guide for one to rent for 19 Euros a day. Following the guide takes you on three different tours of the city.
Maybe next time.
We stumbled upon another market which was good but not of the magnitude of La Boqueria.
The Santa Caterina Market
Doña at Work
REALLY Fresh Sausage
Shrimp
Fan Mail From Some Flounder?
Pulpo
Cornucopia of Cherries
More Great Architecture
What the . . .
Cool Pharmacy
Strength
Near Plaça de Catalunya
Powerful Art
Soft Art
Cafe Zurich
A quick Cafe con Leche before the start of our Spanish Civil War tour.
If you ever are in Barcelona and you have any interest in history at all, then this very enjoyable three to four hour tour is a MUST for you.
Joy on Plaça Catalunya
Power Profile
Catalunyan Men chatting
on Las Ramblas
These men reminded me that if Laurie were to go missing in Barcelona, I would have to describe her to the local police as . . . "mid-60s, white/blond hair and above average height . . ." By Barcelona standards at least.
Laurie loves this city on many levels.
Hard to believe the scenes from
the Spanish Civil war that happened
right here on the serene Las Ramblas
Flag of the Catalunyan Republic
There is a very long and somewhat bloody history of Catalunyan's wanting to separate from the Spanish state to this very day.
Sant Santiago
Basílica Santa María del Pi
We would return to this beautiful church later in the evening for a 9:30 p.m. fantastic Spanish guitar concert.
Old
Plaza of the Unknown Militiaman
Evil looking Anti-Clerical
Catalunyans destroying a church
Peaceful looking Pro-Clerical
Catalunyans rebuilding a church
Marvelous Street Lamp
Sorry Mr. Lassen
Bombed out outer walls on
Plaça Sant Felip Neri
Noted Barcelona architect Antoni Gaudí attended Catholic school here.
Twenty children and 22 adults were killed in this carpet bombing attack that was led by General Franco's Italian allies.
Barcelona was a hot bed of anti-Franco, pro-Republican sentiment during the Spanish Civil War.
Standing Guard
The Final Stop on our SCW tour
Fitting Stopping Point
La Llibertària is a great place to conclude this three hour tour with a Q & A session, tapas and an adult beverage or two.
The bar is full of SCW era posters highlighting the women's roles in this conflict.
Exposed Indeed!
Republican Militia Women
Ladies, WE NEED YOU!
With Nick Lloyd
This was my second SCW tour with Nick, having first taken it about one year ago. It was Laurie's first time on Nick's tour.
His passion for the subject is alive and well to say the least. As much as I enjoyed his tour last year, it was even better this time around as he has added a very nice four-page handout cheat sheet to help those who are not too familiar with the tour, as well as another year's worth of research to the topic.
If you are in Barcelona, schedule a tour with Nick. You will be very pleasantly surprised I promise.
Connect with Nick at www.iberianature.com or by e-mail at nick.iberianature@gmail.com
Down the street from the bar,
injustice still exists it appears.
So does beauty
The Chocolates here are memorable
Interesting Store
More Back Streets
An Antoni Gaudí Design
The Sun Came Out At Last!
Gaudí's Palau Güell
Just off Las Ramblas on Career Nou de la Rambla, this was the first of Antoni Gaudí's innovative buildings.
Innovative . . .
. . . Indeed!
Now, THAT'S Art if you ask me
Rust
Even the Street Signs are Artsy
Mean Lion!
Am I in trouble?
Si!!!
The Las Ramblas Umbrella Building
Styling!!!
"The Dinner of the Idiots"
No comment here . . .
Just around the corner from
the Umbrella Building . . .
. . . HERE WE GO AGAIN!!!
Laurie seems happy with some white wine while stuffing her face with some more tapas.
The red wine is mine . . . it was fine.
Full again, it was time for a stroll to burn off a few more calories. We opted to head back up towards Plaça Catalunya.
Another Powerful Statue
Taking a load off
Boat Woman
El Corte Ingles is Spain's
Leading Department Store Chain
El Corte Ingles is Heaven on Earth
to this one
They were happy here that Laurie
was bolstering their failing economy
We both love these concerts
in ancient European Churches
Tonight's 9:30 p.m. Concert Venue
Ekaterina Záytseva
An Amazing Spanish Guitarist!
I first encountered her at a concert last year in Barcelona's magnificent Palau de la Música Catalana as she performed with the very fun and phenomenal Spanish guitar quartet known as the 4 Guitars.
This Spring all four of the 4 Guitars' members are performing solo concerts all over the city at various churches.
We were treated to an awesome concert in an incredible venue.
Of course, we found a small restaurant for a late night concert debriefing over churros that we dipped in traditional Spanish mud thick hot chocolate.
We were tired after this long, eventful day but we also realized that . . .
LIFE IS OH SO GOOD!!!
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