Update to Day of Departure - Barcelona

And First of all, the date should have been July 3rd.....forgot to change the date when I continued the post.

We had a lovely :) afternoon hanging out in the Charlotte airport with a change of gates and multiple changes of departure times followed by thunder and lightening. Finally boarded at 7:30.  Our M and M treats for the flight attendants were well received. It is really amazing how a simple kind gesture can brighten someone's day.  

Finally got out of CLT near 9 PM.  Dinner at close to 10.  Pretty good...both the pasta choice and the barbecued chicken.  The complimentary wine helped Art and me, too.  Bummed that our plans for a morning in Barcelona are shot but looking forward to our afternoon walking tour.  Entertainment system in seat backs kept Aaron and Carson happy ( Chess, TV shows and movies).  Sleepy time soon after dinner ( knowing that at 1030 Charlotte time, it was early morning in Barcelona).

Arrival in Barcelona:

Arrived on time but had a long wait for luggage.  Easily found a van sized Taxi that accommodated all of our luggage and had a brief tour of the Exiemple district of the city on the way to our hotel including passing the Soccer Arena.  By then it was almost 1:30 and we were booked on a 3 PM walking tour.  

Only one room was ready on arrival so we left the boys to take a short nap and Art and I headed to the Spa for showers....typical for Europe...lots of good towels but limited place to hang dry clothes while we showered ( getting water all over the floor without a shower door or curtain). But we certainly felt better clean and in fresh clothes.  Woke the sleepy boys and headed to La Ramblas...the main drag of touristy Barcelona.  Sunny, warm and VERY crowded.  Clearly summer is very different from October when  we first visited.  With one minor mistake, we found the Travel Bar in the Bari Gotic ( the oldest section of Barcelona).  It was a crowded, noisy place full of mostly young expats.  We found the person who organizes these free tours ( you tip the guide what you think it was worth  - usually 10-15 Euro.

Waiting for the guide at the a Travel Bar

Our guide was a young woman ( can't remember where she was from but not Spain).  She did an excellent tour of the old city.  We begged off before the end due to fatigue and hunger!  She pointed us to a local restaurant a bit outside of the main area around La Ramblas ( Colum Restaurant).  Clearly my priorities were food not names :).

Our tour group

Results of bombing during the Spanish Civil War

Cathedral of Saint Eulalia of Barcelona

During the Spanish Inquisition, the Jewish Cemetery was destroyed and Tomb Stones used for building. Some stones were not turned to the inside. Thus Hebrew names were seen on the walls

Building built around Roman ruins

Picasso original

We introduced the boys to Tapas( we had 6 kinds) and Paella and shared a half liter of Sangria?  

                       

On the way back to the hotel, we walked through La Boqueria Market - one of the best in the world

And then off to bed...dreaming of Sailaway tomorrow!