Day 4 Barcelona

Casa Battlo Living Room

Casa Battlo

Today is National Spain Day. We know this because very early in the morning we heard the crowds gathering at the Placa Catalyuna singing, chanting, and blowing those damn horns they blow at soccer matches - Vuvuzelas I think they're called. Hoards of people we marching down the street carrying Catalan and Spainish flags. Never-the-less, it was a pretty 70 degree day for sightseeing, so we walked up to the Casa Batllo, and another fantastically interesting building by Antoni Gaudi - he did the Basilica we were in yesterday. This is something of a wonderland though. There was hardly a straight line in the building, everything was curves and arches. You were made to feel like you were under the ocean. This is a worthwhile one hour stop.  It's best to look at these pictures because I could not possibly describe it and they're much better than mine. .(http://www.casabatllo.es/en/image-gallery/)

Afterwards we had a little quick lunch at a Mom and Pop tapas bar. It was pretty generic except for the meatballs. If I could ever make meatballs like this I'd never leave home. They were really, really good. We ate quickly because we had tickets for a two o'clock tour through the Palau (palace) de la Musica Catalana. It is considered the most beautiful building in Barcelona. You would certainly not get an argument from me. The tour itself wasn't very interesting, in fact it was rather boring. But it only lasted 45 minutes and it's the only way you can get in. It's well worth visiting. For better pictures try the following link (http://www.palaumusica.cat/en/photo-gallery_23608)

Palau de la Musica Catalana

Later in the evening we walked back to the el Born area for a few drinks while we thought about where we would like to have dinner. After being Tapa-ized the past four days something different seemed necessary.  Walking around we happened upon Dunne's Irish Restaurant and Bar...perfect. Not hesitating, we walked in and I ordered and a Guinness and Irish Stew, and Sylvia decided on vodka and fish and chips. What a great foil for tapas. The fish was excellent and the stew was overloaded with tender and tasty beef. Fattened up, we walked back to the apartment through La Rambla and the mass of partiers. It was enough for the evening as discussions were getting lively.  Tomorrow we head up the coast to Girona for a few days. Girona is the heart of Catalonia and from what I hear it should be interesting.