We both slept well last night! Another early start but we are both excited to be heading back into Barcelona.
We got the bus straight from the campsite to Plaza Catalunya which is right at the top of Las Ramblas. We walked down Las Ramblas until we arrived at Mercat de la Boqueria, which is basically a fabulous food market.
The market offers freshly cooked street food to eat now and also more typical market stalls were you can buy fresh produce, the choice is phenomenal. Whether you want fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, spices and even chocolate there is a stall selling it. From traditional food types to the worst one that we saw was whole goats heads with the eyes!
We wandered around and got ourselves a bite to eat before heading off.
Next stop the Sagrada Familia inside- We booked the tickets online and they cost 15 euros each which sounds expensive but we spent over 3 hours inside so we both came to the conclusion that they were actually very good value. In fact, I think Colin would still be there given half the chance.
The basilica plan is that of a Latin cross with five aisles. The central nave vaults reach forty-five metres (148 feet) while the side nave vaults reach thirty metres (98 feet). The transept has three aisles. Essentially none of the interior surfaces are flat; the ornamentation is comprehensive and rich, consisting in large part of abstract shapes which combine smooth curves and jagged points. Even detail-level work such as the iron railings for balconies and stairways are full of curvaceous elaboration.
Gaudí planned for the light inside the Sagrada Familia to be harmonious. The branching columns, as well as having a structural function, reflect Gaudí’s idea that the inside of the temple should be like a wood that invites prayer and is fitting for celebrating the Eucharist.
Next we headed over to the Gothic Quarter and the Cathedral.
There was a small Christmas market outside with a lot of the stalls selling Tio de Nadal which is a Cantalonion tradition.
From the 8th December you ‘feed’ the log and keep it warm by wrapping a blanket around it. Then at Christmas the children hit the log with sticks and sing songs to make the log defecate. The objects dropped are not large but nuts and dried figs that can be shared.
We walked down Las Ramblas until we arrived at Port Vell which is a waterfront harbour and part of the port. It has a shopping mall, cinema, bars, restaurants and also a large aquarium. Unfortunately we have run out of time so we will have to discover Port Vell another time.
In summary, Barcelona is a very special City and I can not believe that Colin has kept this wonderful City such a secret from me. We will definitely be returning as there is so much more to see.
