Barcelona! - Shopping, Eating and Walking La Rambla

Barcelona!! Barcelona is a wonderful city full of so much to do and see. Unfortunately, we were only here for less than 24 hours, so we had limited time. One of the things Mama loves about Barcelona is the architecture. Given our limited time and the fact that the last time Mama and Dada were here, they walked and walked and walked and took amazing photos of all of Barcelona's architecture, we skipped the architecture tour this trip. But, I thought I would show you a small glimpse of the buildings that can be seen in Barcelona.

We arrived in the late afternoon by car from S'Agaro and went to the Boqueria (the very large market in Barcelona off La Rambla). We went to a famous bar in the Boqueria called Pinotxo ("Pinocchio") Bar. The guy who served us has been seen in many food magazines (which is how we know the bar is famous -- from Dada, who reads these magazines).

Here is Pinocchio who was hanging from the bar. I was sleeping for most of lunch, but when I woke up, I saw him and kept saying "Big Nose".

The first thing Mama ordered was a lobster (after seeing the person next to her eating it). Yum!

Then, Daddy ordered some "chipirones" (calamari) with beans. This is not normally Mama's favorite dish, but even she said that it was the best she has ever had.

Then, some "cigalas" which are a mix between shrimp and lobster.

Mommy and Daddy wanted to order navajas (the cigar looking clams), but our waiter brought over all the shellfish they had left as it was getting very close to closing time (4 pm).

So, mussels was the last dish.

I woke up just as the last dish was finished and they brought me a shrimp!

After lunch, we took a short walk in the market ...

...and then took a stroll on La Rambla which is a long pedestrian area with various different parts. There is the flower area with many flower shops.

Herbs, herbs, herbs!

And, my favorite area with all of the animals....bunnies, ducks, chickens, fish, chameleons! and more

Then, there are MANY street performers. Can you tell how scared I was of this one?

After leaving La Rambla, we took a walk in the "Barrio Viejo" (Old Neighborhood). Look what we found there! Elmo has his own bakery!

Then some shoe shopping at H&M (below) and a Spanish shoe store (above). Mama called me Imelda. I am not sure why. I tried on a bunch of shoes, but didn't buy any. Mama said something about them not fitting. I guess I was just trying to save money and buy something I can grow into.

Happy Pills?? I don't think I need any.

We went to a very popular tapas bar tonight. Mommy and Daddy had some typical Spanish tapas, including croqueta (below), mushrooms, pimientos de Padron (peppers) and more. I opted for the "hamburguesa". While waiting for a table, someone mentioned the "Obama store" around the corner. Mama went to see if she could find anything interesting, but it was an Obama BAR!

Next stop: Mallorca!

Homemade Spanish Dinner

After a magical trip to Cadaques, Daddy and Mariangels cooked a wonderful seafood dinner. I didn't eat the seafood, but had some delicious fish! Mariangels gave Daddy her secret. First, put in the salt and heat up the pan until it is hot (using crystallized salt), then put in the seafood and THEN the oil. (Here, we usually put oil in, then seafood and then salt!)

Before...
After...

Cadaques..Heaven on Earth

Cadaques is just as beautiful as Mommy and Daddy remember it when they were here almost 10 years ago on their honeymoon. There is something very peaceful about this little town 3 hours north of Barcelona near where Dali spent many years (in Port Lligat).

The town is visited by many. There is a local artist community in addition to tourism.

We stopped for a rest at a bar with a beautiful view. Mommy, Daddy and Mariangels had beer and a few tapas....

And, I had a strawberry batido (shake).

We walked around and I learned that Pepa actually has a high fashion women's clothing store!
Pepa wasn't there today.


I tried on a bunch of jewelry....and bought a beautiful shirt, the only purchase I made in Spain.

And, of course, I played with the rocks.

If you are ever in Spain, you must visit Cadaques (not paid for by the Government of Spain).

Wordy Wednesday

I am using a lot more words together (phrases and sometimes sentences). Here are some of my more recently used/most frequently used phrases. The video below was taken yesterday at a tapas bar.

Go away (as seen in video above trying to get a fly to go away)

Where did he/she/it go?

What you doing, Mama/Dada?

What's that? (Said very often; yesterday, I asked Mama what the toll booth was and after she gave me a long explanation of paying money to keep us safe, I said "Oh")

Baby, you have to sit down. I sit down. (Said after being asked to sit down while eating on the terrace in S'Agaro. First, I put baby in the chair and told her she had to sit down and then I sat down)

Stop it (said to any dog barking)

Look, Mama

Open it?

Sit down (whenever I want someone to sit with me to play/do a puzzle, etc.)

Get up or Come

I come up

I funny

Running

I push you (while sitting in the stroller wanting someone to push me)

Bless you (after someone coughs or sneezes)

I wipe it (if I spill anything)

Elmo please (asking Daddy for my Elmo video)

Thank you

Beach please or Beach now (usually I say the first phrase and if that doesn't work, then the second)

I did it!

I found it!

An early and late evening of EATING!

After a long day of the beach and other fun, we did a LOT of eating. First we went to "El Rey de Jamon" (The King of Ham) for tapas before dinner. Oh, and Mommy, Daddy and Mariangels had some rose wine.

Cheers! My friend, Nyla, taught me "Cheers".

Spanish "jamon". I don't like it, so....

Smoked salmon was ordered for me! Yum!

Bread, of course. The Spaniards toast the bread and put tomato on it (rubbed).

Here are the "jamon"s hanging from the ceiling of the restaurant.

We had dinner in S'Agaro at the Hotel Sant Pol. Daddy forgot how much I love fish and brought me to the fish tank before dinner. BAD IDEA! Let's just say that I didn't spend much time in my seat. I kept dragging Daddy back to the fish tank for more fish viewing.

Here are some of the Spanish treats that came to the table. I missed some as I was fish watching. These are Sosnos (this is the Spanish term, but they are small fried fish). I didn't try any....Mommy did and didn't like so much, but both Mariangels and Daddy loved them!

Navajas (razor clams) again...

Salt encrusted fish....delicious! Daddy has made this before, but way before I was born. I didn't have the clams or sosnos, but I gobbled this (and bread) up!

After dinner on the beach...

A little beach run to burn off the fish.

Tomorrow: Cadaques!

Beach Shoes

Shopping in Platja d'Aro...Pica Pica

This morning, we went to Platja d'Aro to go shopping. I relaxed while Mommy and Daddy shopped. No purchases made! Instead, we went to have tapas for lunch. I was napping when we arrived, but when I woke up, I saw the ocean and ran to the beach! Somehow, Mommy convinced me to go back for lunch.

Ready to eat! "Pica pica" means a little of this and a little of that...

Gambas al ajillo (shrimp with garlic)

Patatas bravas

Chiperones (calamari)

I eat pan (bread), but only the middle

I offered Mommy and Daddy a little elbow for dessert!

And, then a cafe before siesta!