Barcelona 3, the killer paella strikes back

Who would have thought it.  A new evening, a new street, a new paella.  And not just any paella.  A paella that puts any previous paella to shame.  Prawns and scampi, real vegetables and with a flavour that lingers, and just a hint of Mediterranean tomato.  Then, on the way home, luscious slice of chocolate cake.

Certainly makes up for getting lost on the subway.  That's if you call getting the wrong train on the wrong line getting lost.  I call it exploring the city.
I did finally get to my destination which was in the middle of the Gothic Barrio, with a plan to wander around and find my way out.  Obviously that eventually happened but I had forgotten that sense of direction is really mucked up coming up out of a subway.  Still, it's nice to see the same alleys and squares three times.

I can't believe I didn't think Barcelona could live up to Madrid.  Check this out, a Gothic house and the remains of a Roman wall bookend a modern parking station.

My paella

There it is, my paella.  I am thinking of writing a song about my paella.  It goes to the tune of hot potato by The Wiggles.  Or perhaps I could take a leaf from Connor's book and write an ode to my paella.

Had a tremendous day today.  After a goodly breakfast and a lengthy skype I went to Mont Juic.  Got the metro to Espanol.  Then they have lots of escalators to help you get up the hill.  Went to the national collection of Catalan Art first.  Amazing building and lots of amazing art.  Then walked around the hill to the Miro collection.  That was a bit of a waste of a walk, I had an art pass so no cost but the art was not to my taste and the staff were rude to the patrons.  At least the young ones were, quite a contrast to other places in Barcelona which are so friendly and helpful.  Then went around to Pablos Espanyol.  this is a Spanish Village recreated for the 1929 Exhibition and then kept because it was so popular.  Really interesting village buildings and wall etc though all buildings contain restaurants and craft shops now.  SWell worth the visit.

having a rest before finding my dinner.  Might have another paella, but it just wouldn't be the same.

Barcelona rocks

Literally, lots of stone buildings and walls today
It is true, you have a bad start and you feel negative.  I did after the delayed plane and late arrival.  Then I woke up, tired and not ready to get up, but you have to nominate time for breakfast at this hotel.  I love being told what to do and when to do it, when I am paying for the privilege.

Then, really nice breakfast, all served nicely the way me Granny used to like it.  Good advice too on what to do. They charged an extra 4 Euro for a pass but I'm over that now.  Went on a walking tour of the Gothikc quarter that another Australian was going on.  Got lost but made it before the tour left Plaza Jaum.  Loved the tour.  medieval gothic, my favourite.  Alley ways and gargoyles and soaring churches and alley ways and doors.

It has been drizzling but not enough to dampen a tour of the gothic quarter.  Then went to the Picasso museum.  Lots and lots of stuff and less than half of it was wierd.  Then down to bottom of Las Ramblas and walked up.  Stopped at the markets and had a great lunch just picking bits from the stalls.  A skewer of cured meats, some fresh dates and a bowl of stawberries all for a total of 2 euro 40.  Will see how the rain goes for the rest of the afternoon but I am determined to have paella for dinner.

Great day in Madrid, ^*@! time getting out.

The bear and the tree is the symbol of Madrid.  Plaza Mayor is a major central plaza.  Very old.


Went for  long walk to Basillica San Fransisco then round to Reina Sofia where all the Picassos and Dalis are.  Big crowds around Geurnica.  (Hows that for name dropping in a pseudo arty farty intellectual kind of way - i.e. being a wanker)  Then went to el Retiro this huge park with stuff in it.  After all that it was time to go back to the hotel for luggage and on to the airport.

Easy enough, or so I thought.  The plane was over 31/2 hours late.  I didn't even have a book for a 1 hour flight.  Arrived in Barcelona after 11 pm and got to Hotel about 12.30am.  Luckily they stayed up for me to arrive.
Madrid - awesome, kind of Rome lite.  Barcelona - yet to see.

Free tour great

The free tour was great.  It took about three and a half hours and you tip at the end.  Saw all the main sights.  Off to the Prado tonight because it is free at night.  If I'd known earlier I would have went last night.  These old city places are really great for the young.  The tour people have pub crawls and a tapas tour.
This well selected and recommended hotel is on the street of the prostitutes according to the tour guide, and I thought it was my aussie good looks that got me all the smiles from the ladies.  Only kidding, I thought it was the tomato sauce I spilled all down me front eating beans and sausage.  Had to try and get the stain out meself, that's another thing I didn't think of.  How do you do the washing via skype.
Photo next time for sure, I just keep forgetting to load them on the computer and my room is floors away.  Got one of Queen Isabel who was the monarch who stopped the Spanish Inquisition.  Her dad was so impressed with her he had the succession rules changed to allow her to rule after him.  She must have been a good debater.
Saw lots of things today but favourite was Queen Isabel's statue, followed by Cervantes' house.  Best story is a legend about a rich lady who in the 19th century, threw herself off the viaduct bridge because her family wouldn't let her marry her poor lover.  her dress and bustle ballooned out like a parachute and she floated to the ground only breaking her leg.  The family was so sorry they let her marry the lover nad they lived happily having lots of children.

There is an Egyptian temple here, haven't seen it yet but might get there.

Tapas are awesome

You just wander around and eat what you like.  I think I will eat tapas every night.  Madrid is fired up and its only Wednesday.  People everywhere.  Only one middle aged man in shorts, but that's neither here nor there.  Been for a walk, seen Palace, Cathedral, Plaza Mayor.  Hotel guy gave really good tips for a quick walk and good place to eat.
Peurto del Sol is a few steps away.  It has police, firebrigade, a demonstration against priest abuse and a full blown gypsy band - all blowing their horns at once. It is also the centre of Madrid and Spain.  All roads are measured from it.
Plane flight was long but already worth it.  Watched a couple of movies, Brighton Rock which was chilling but very good I thought.  The tourist, pap but slick and entertaining enough according to russells reviews  dot com.  Couildn't focus on green hornet long enough to bother. Also watched some episodes of Raising Hope which reminded me why I liked it.
Intended to add photo of hotel which is in very old building in downtown central Madrid, but can't be bothered getting cord.
Very tired and need to sleep.

haven't left yet

This is the Russell Hotel.  Not going there but needed to practise uploading a photo.  OK I had to get Josh to show me how.  Weather looking good in Spain and Israel (I think that is a subtle way of saying na na na na na na).  Travel world is looking a bit uneasy at the moment.  Hope the person with the seat next to me has decided to cancel and stay home.  Does this mean I will get a very large sitting companion courtesy of karma?
Booked a tour of Nazareth and the Galilee online today.