Barcelona 2023

Barcelona! We're back, but this time, it's not on the way to anywhere, rather a destination on its own 😀. We're dedicating a week to checking out the "Modernist" architecture, focusing on Gaudi and Domènech i Montaner. We're also throwing in some regular stuff 🤣

We arrived yesterday (intact) - our train was 20 minutes late, then we discovered that the bus didn't take cash or credit card (and my phone doesn't support the app - ack!). Well, the driver let us on anyway (really super nice informal "system" in Spain; this is the 2nd time a driver solved a technical problem this way). We got checked in OK, then I ran across the street LOL for some groceries, and settled in for the evening.

Our expectations for this trip were to plan things as possibilities, tag the important ones, and drop or move anything we didn't have energy for. That was a good thing...

Today, we focused on Gaudi's Güell Palace (Palau Güell), on the interesting street, La Rambla. Since we still didn't have bus tickets 🙄, we took an Uber directly there. We got our tickets (virtually no line; Rick even got a discount), and found out how the elevator access worked (someone unlocks it, takes you to the floor you need; you hunt up someone else for the next floor). 

We started at the top (smart move for us), and walked up one flight to the roof. 

Yes, that's a bat at the top

Then we worked our way down.

Ceiling 

Doors!

Fireplace!

Pipe organ 

Furniture...

After the Güell, we got lunch on La Rambla, and walked to the Columbus monument. Normally, you can take an elevator to "the top", and get some good views of the city... Today? Closed due to works. Still, it was a nice stroll, and we saw some interesting buildings.

AND! Along the way, there was an elevator to the metro! And! It had ticket machines! We bought a card of 10 trips each, so now we're set!

What we skipped today (and last night) was the huge indoor market, the Mercado de La Boqueria (Catalan for "mouthful"). But, it's open every day, all day, so...

When we left the apartment, we expected to Uber back. But now that we have tickets (!), we went for the bus! It was just a lucky fluke that I had charted the return before leaving, *and* had a screenshot of it 😁. Between that and my GPS, we were set.

Citymapper screenshot 

Now we're back, resting up for dinner ☺️

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See the Barcelona 2023 photo album for more...