Loving Barcelona!
The moody tones of the chic, sleek Hotel Alma
The quirky work of Antoni Gaudí
Street buskers, including a very clever little dog who sings the blues
Food glorious food…
Summary? This place is an absolute must see!
AT PLAY
For the home enhancers, the foodies, the wanderers
Paris…chilly Paris
Two thirds of my suitcase consists of cute little summer outfits in which I had hoped to impress you Paris, so what’s with the cold and rain? It’s spring and a girl can only wear a puffer jacket with a dead cat trimmed hood for so long!
Yesterday a wander around the Marais, the arrondissement we’ve chosen to make our home this time, including the Place des Voges square and the gorgeous little rue des Rosiers filled quaint shops and Jewish fare including the best Falafels in town. We’ll test this out we promise!
Today a trip to Galeries Lafayette, currently stocked with fabulous summer colours but with zero takers, instead Fifi headed for the jewelry department while Pixi worshipped at the Lingerie floor shrine.
A tad of retail therapy bliss later, lunch at Les Deux Musees where the girls indulge in French Onion soup followed by a fight with Escargot (they really are ‘slippery little suckers’) washed down with a Vin Blanc, Rosé and a Rouge and topped off with delectable little cream puffs. The experience making all brave enough to face queuing in the cold to enter the Musée d’Orsay. Wandering the gallery of impressionist artists, a tidy collection of Art Nouveau pieces and viewing that magnificent clock serving as a reminder of the building’s train station origins, a perfect way to while away a chilly wet afternoon.
Back to our cosy little nest via a bit of bumbling around in the Metro while singing ‘I love Paris in the spring time’ hah! to put feet up and remind ourselves that She really is a beautiful city, regardless of her current weather temperament.
Tapas, tapas!
A Barcelonian visit would not be complete without a wander through the streets to sample the local fare. Our faves:
Cervecería Catalana – renowned for it’s tapas and an excellent little breakfast spot. Petite Spanish Omelettes stuffed with potato, served with slender, crunchy tomato rubbed bread fingers. ‘Huevos Cabreados’ a curious dish of shoestring fries with fried egg and spicy salsa, blended into a big mush at the table by the waiter…a novel take on egg ‘n chips and sure to be a Pom pleaser. All washed down with sweet freshly squeezed orange juice and superb coffee.
Sangrias on La Rambla, a popular pedestrian street, impressive but way overpriced, served by a rude, tourist jaded waiter. Sipping the big bowls while people watching the cruise ship exodus of chubby folk in three quarter length pants, sneakers and NYC t’shirts made the effort worthwhile.
Irati Taverna, a fabulous stand up bar in the old quarter, interesting morsels washed down with a fruity local red.
Pinotxo at the Boqueiro Markets. Watch them cook hot tapas morsels with market fresh findings that vary by the moment, we tried rabbit ribs and fried artichoke hearts.
Botafumeiro Restaurante for purportedly the best Seafood Paella in town. Shared an exceptionally tasty one quite unlike the usual yellow fare being hawked near the Park Guell and other touristy spots. Superb service too.
Fab food, good buddy, sunny skies…loved Barcelona. And now to Paris!
