barcelona

dogs everywhere, which means dog poo all over as well.
gwyneth paltrow’s mug is ubiquitous in print ads for el corte ingles’ spring campaign.
the kids are sooo cute, more so than adults.
set off at 11.30 \am for catalunya stop, wanted to walk down las ramblas. could see that it was filled with strollers. from north to south, first the profusion of pet shops (hamsters, rabbits, birds, fish, chickens?!), then florists with the bursts of bright colours, then a stretch of eateries mercifully free of rowdy brits, then the portrait painters and artists and finally, the weekend market for peddlers of wares from rings to bags to incense holders to stained glass. ended up having breakfast at il caffe di roma. wanted to go to café l’opera, but it turned out to be the address for a couple of shops.
went back and got wy and we left for the harbour area at abt 1 pm. promenade by the sae was pleasant enough but unspectacular. gloomy weather didn’t help. faced with high prices, decided to rush to l’hostal de rita for lunch, just making it in time (about 3.45pm). had squid rings, cod in garlic sauce and biscuit ice-cream in chocolate sauce. fish was good.
started to drizzle. went down to ramblas market, bought some coin purses for souvenirs.
wy’s shoe falling apart but stores all closed with the exception of eateries and magazine/video stores (FNAC, VIPS).
went to el gavina for dinner. interesting little pizzeria decorated with angels and a mannequin in priestly robes. pizza was good! also did 1l of sangria between us. sangria cost more than pizza. came to €10 a head. feeling pleasantly buzzed.