Take a ride on the magic bus…

Okay, let me set the tone right off the bat. Today was one of the best days that I’ve had in the last 24 hours. There was one glass left of one of the best wines I’ve ever had (in the past 24 hours) and I’m trying to keep it off my chin as I begin.

Okay, everyone take a bathroom break, grab a 6 pack of Horseleg, a  bag of chips (crisps to the well-heeled), and settle onto the couch. I’m going to disect our ride on the Barcelona Tourist Bus Tour and beyond.

Most major cities offer a hop-on hop-off bus excursion cruising past  all the major sites on an open-top double decker bus. You can hop on or hop off anytime during the day so you can take your time at each spot if you choose and grab the next one that comes along for just one price. Included in the cost is a set of ear buds that connect to a panel on the back of the seat in front of you that will give you background on each spot. There are options for 12 languages and a volume control, pretty straightforward 21st century stuff.

There was a  young tour guide that greeted us when we got on and ours spoke English,  German,  Spanish,  Mandarin,  and she apologized that her French was marginal. I promptly said I speak some English but not as well as her (she’s making minimum wage probably).

So it turns out my ear canal is the size of a straw and the only way I could get any sound was to push the buds in horizontally, so from behind I looked like a 1950s tv set with rabbit ears.

There are so many important and interesting things to see in Barcelona that there are 3 separate routes (all available for the same price) and we took the one that started closest to us which was a 2 hour tour. I would say there are about 25 sites along the route with a good commentary on each and the bus is comfortable and the weather was outstanding today.

The architecture here is beyond belief and I would describe it as stupendous! There are probably 700-800 fantastic buildings, it’s literally numbing to take it all in. Every period is covered from 200 BC to the present. Today we stopped at a 1000 year old church,  but there is also Gothic, Medieval,  Renaissance,  Roman, Catalan Art Nouveau,  Modernesque popularized by Antonio Gaudio  (the master of masters), and also contemporary buildings, although they pale in imagination to the rest.

The 2 areas  of Barcelona that stand out are the Gothic Quarter where we spent most of our day and Eixample (pronounced Shampla), the area where we are staying in. Our own building is a masterpiece of style and inside  the lobby has a magnificent elevator that is whisper-quiet and beautiful like I have never experienced before (we’re  paying $76 cdn per night). Barcelona is a must-see stop on any trip to Europe by our estimation.

Anyways, our bus took us past historic sites like the Christopher Columbus monument, many Gaudi buildings which are like nothing you’ve ever seen (even the chimneys are works of art) and past the cruise ship terminal which had 10 big ships in port today. Barcelona has hosted past Olympics, World Fairs and is one of the convention capitals of the world. The people are wonderful and prices are cheaper than you would expect.

Passeig de Gracia Avenue is close by and hosts all of the world leaders in fashion, cosmetics, shoes (the shoe stores are unbelievable, even I was engrossed with what they have) and the window displays are unbelievable. Obviously haute couture is not my forte but it was thrilling to see Cartier, Louis Vuitton,  Valentino, Prada, and on and on; more than 200 stores along the one street. There were even items for less than $200 that would wow the folks back home (but where are you going to wear them, Safeway, or the Greek Oven?)

Like I mentioned we stepped off in the Gothic Quarter and ogled the vast array of architecture and unique shopping spots and then headed for tapas and drinks.  Our first choice was inside but with a view out the window to a busy square that was ripe for people watching.  The food was unique and drinks were good and we moved on for more of the same until we had our fill and wound our way back on another bus and off to a local Mercato where we stocked upon bread, cheese, fruits, and wine to eat at home.  We finished the day on the couch looking out past our balcony 50 feet above the  commotion below overlooking the tree-lined street.

We booked 3 more trains online and contacted some of our future Airbnbs and then Carol retired to her book and here I am with you.