4/22–Barcelona afternoon

Where else do we end up, but Placa Reial, to shop around for some snacks and a seat at one of the jam packed restaurants.  Once again, we settle on Colon Cerveseria because it is a) convenient, b) has available tables and c) is relatively reasonable in comparison with other options on the square.

Settling into our little table in the portico, we can watch the tourist melee from afar and enjoy our wine, beer and snacks in relative peace and shade back here.  First of course we have to laugh at the menu translations.  The exact translation for saucisson sausage obviously didn’t work for English speakers, so they came up with this:  Similar to Salami.  Just cracks us up!  Eschewing the Similar to Salami sandwich, we settle for fried aubergine (fried egg plant with honey) and chorizo with cheese – along with beer and wine of course.

As we walk back down La Rambla – which is surprisingly quiet for a Sunday afternoon – we stumble upon the most adorable little bar – nor more than a cut out in the side of a building abutting La Rambla. Kiosko Cazella is a delight amongst the many touristy places up and down La Rambla. Simple and unpretentious, it is apparently a local hangout, because we are the only non-Catalonian people there, it was a lovely place to sit right off the beaten path, enjoy a drink and watch pedestrians on La Rambla.   We will definitely make it a stop on our next trip in November.

Back at the pick up point, we are the last on the bus.  Thankfully we made it, because even though we booked this particular time, a family comes up after us and wants to get on, but there is not enough space….so…we’re not quite sure what is going on, but we are happy to be in the van and ready to go when the driver shuts the door. The ride back is uneventful, if not long. The driver took the “scenic” route on surface streets, as opposed to the autoroute.  Odd, but it was interesting to watch the houses and businesses pass by  even though some other passengers were grumbling.

Back at the hotel, we freshen up then head downstairs to the restaurant for dinner, an excellent bonus feature of this hotel.  Seated outside on the patio, we have a very enjoyable meal of fried prawns and pulpo a la gallega.  

Then it is off to bed so we can arise early and be on our way to Zurich and Bonaduz for our long awaited visit with the Rageths.