Sitges and Back

Our second day in Sitges was chilly, so we scrapped our plans for a beach day, and decided to head into town instead. You can easily stroll across the entire city center, and we sort of weaved back and forth all day, stopping every now and then, for coffee and conversation. We noticed that Barcelona was playing a football match that night and went out to a local spot to see the game.

I love watching football in Europe. Everyone is so happy and it’s all copas and chanting and laughing and conversations interrupted when it gets exciting and savory snacks and memories of past matches and they blast “gol” music when our team scores and there are close ups of the hot, young players for the ladies and service is slow because everyone is watching...

The next morning we got up early to enjoy our free breakfast (delicious!) before heading back to Barcelona. I will point out that we had this insta-matic coffee machine that made FAB drinks at the push of a button! It was right by the breakfast bar and we made AMPLE use of it at all hours. However, one jackass working the desk, out of about four others, totally stopped us as we tried to have a hot chocolate before bed- “It’s closed now, it’s disconnected.” And I’m like “No, we make it every night, it works...” And he really wouldn’t let us! What a jerk, right???

Anyway, back in Barcelona we settle into the same room we had a few days before and then head out to Las Ramblas- the busy main drag of the city. It was just as lively as I remembered, with street performers and roasted chestnuts and sweet potatoes and alleyways sprouting off the sides with charming little shops and restaurants and they also randomly have stands along the center selling small pets- something that would NEVER fly in the US...

We check out La Boqueria, a HUGE fresh market, before having lunch at a lovely cafe. We have three courses- salad, soup and fideua (paella with noodles instead of rice) to start, chicken and fish next, and chocolate cake and ice cream for dessert. A tiny little beer is included, and I’m really loving life.

The place is special because it’s in what used to be a sort of University exhibition space/research facility for the sciences. For this reason it’s called, in English, The Taxidermy Cafe. How unappetizing, right? They give you the meat then bring out the animal it came from, stuffed, and staring you in the face. No, I made that up, but that’s what I envisioned when I heard the name. haha

We went on a LONG walk and saw parts of the city I had never seen and went down to the water and by the National Museum where these “magic fountains” were supposed to dance for us, but no such luck. We went back to our neighborhood, exhausted, for Sarah and Timothy’s last bocadillo de tortilla espanola, at the same place we ate on our first night. The waiter totally remembered us and gave us free grappa after the meal. DEEEEELISH!

This morning they headed out EARLY and I switched to a single room at the hostel and I’m alone again. Rather than look at my empty room, I’m taking a day trip to Figueres- hometown of Salvador Dali and the museum he created. Should be great. I’ll let you know later....

-H*

PS- Museum was AMAZING! It always blows my mind when you see the early works of artists who are known for their more “out there” stuff- they are always well-trained technical geniuses FIRST, then they go crazy haha Dali made most everything inside and even designed the egg-capped building- you must check out the pics!!

Pics from Barcelona: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2146251&l=889c2&id=22001348
Pics from Figueres/Museum: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2146410&l=21a87&id=22001348