The Ramblas is wide, tree lined, pedestrian mall running through downtown to the waterfront.
You have to keep a sharp eye out for the funky buildings.
We detoured into a market nearby filled with hundreds of vendors. Most of the seafood was still alive, but the lambs looked surprised to be in the meat case.
Following the Rick Steve guide book religiously (note pun) we detoured a couple blocks to the Gothic quarter to see the Cathedral of Barcelona.
Inside was some new automation. For every shrine there was a vending machine that would light an electric candle for every €0.10. I couldn't resist. I spent a coin and was blessed with light.
The Count and Countess who bankrolled the start of the building project were rewarded by being mounted on the sanctuary wall and soon will celebrate their 1,000th year so enshrined.
The church has a long history of being guarded by geese. Here the sentries are guarding the interior courtyard. People protected by iron bars.
Wandering the meandering side streets we emerged back on the Ramblas and encountered live statues. Too quaint, and don't stare directly at them or you will pay.
The morning goal was reached - the harbor and monument to Christopher Columbus.
Strange art. The big lobster appropriately titled "Big Lobster".
The Barcelona head, combining several different art styles in order to make one unrecognizable statue.
By this time I was ready for lunch and a rest. We had hoped to try a tapas bar, but the ones we came across were open air without AC. I don't like lunch with sweat dripping, so being good Americans we found the KFC with the AC set at about 68 degrees. That is 20c here. I also toasted NYC mayor Bloomburg with a 32oz drink and needed every drop.
In Part 2 - the afternoon adventure with Merrick giving directions.
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