It didn’t take long to fall asleep that first night and I probably slept longer than the rest of the week put together so I woke refreshed and raring to go out and find out more about this fascinating city. I hadn’t booked a hotel breakfast but had spotted a cute little croissanterie a few doors up the street and had decided that would be a good place to start my day so a cappucino and a chocolate croissant it was and that almost before any shops were open even though it was after 9.00a.m.
The small cafe area has a vintage feel all of its own – really cute and my much-needed breakfast wasn’t bad either!
Next, a charger for my watch so that I didn’t lose out on all those extra steps (way more than my daily count at home, but in the sunshine, in a new place, it never crosses my mind that I might be tired). Once again, there was a phone accessories shop conveniently close to the hotel and so I was able to go back to my room and charge the watch before setting out on my day of exploration. I had more or less decided to go to the Picasso Museum at some point, so did my homework while the phone was charging and was ready to walk to the other side of town. It didn’t seem far… and when there are new things to see, it doesn’t feel far either.
I did have a lazy morning, though, recognising that the afternoon and the evening after my Australian friends were due to arrive might be full. And I hadn’t yet had any tapas.
On my way through the lanes, with frequent squares interrupting their flow and causing me to stop and think about which exit to take, there were many tapas bars so I indulged in piri-piri gambas: delicious! The waiter didn’t seem to have any problem speaking in or understanding English. Then I heard a couple at a nearby table ask where he was from. Sweden!!!
After that it was out with my trusty new phone to make my way to the Picasso museum. I had been told it was worth a visit, highlighting his early life and training and the development of his work from there.
Two grand buildings facing each other in Pl. de St. Jaume are among the first buildings to spot along the way: on the left here is Palau de la Generalitat, seat of the Catalonian government and on the right Casa de la Ciutat, the City Hall. Neither is easily accessed by the public except on very specific days of the month or year. The square itself is well guarded and spotlessly clean.
There were cycling tours of the city, like the one below, being briefed in each corner of the square.
From there it was all downhill, past a mix of small enterprises: cannabis for sale in a shop called ‘High Society’ and some very crumbly ‘cinnamon shortbread’ trying to cater for allergies in a shop purporting to have been in existence since 1890 whose main produce is turron – the lovely Spanish nougat confection.
The small alleyways were busy but it was always good to look up andspot different shaped street lamps. The Picasso Museum is contained in what were five medieval palaces and, from time to time, the original architecture is allowed to shine through, competing with the modern art on display. It’s certainly an experience I would recommend with so much chosen by Picasso himself to be given to the city and the rest by people who knew him well. It’s staggering to think that his work would have been censored because of his statement that he would not return to Spain while Franco lived and equally staggering that at the age of just 14 he was entering huge canvases (notably, ‘The First Communion’) in competitions against the best painters in the land, spurred on, probably, by his art teacher father. It was good to be able to wander at my own pace: the rooms are spacious and it’s easy to study a painting without getting in anyone else’s way. Interesting also to see some of Picasso’s pottery work and to learn about his links with other artists.
A final glimpse at the canvases I could see and I left the museum via one of the ancient stone staircases thinking what a surprise this city has been so far – and it’s only Day Two!!
Wandering back up the hill at my leisure I found lots of instructions to ‘tell people you love them’ as well as a frappe which provided an excuse for a sit down before moving on towards the cathedral square. I love the life in that area: it’s never quiet!
Walking through these older areas, I was actually reminded a little bit of Jerusalem: where every corner had me wondering ‘What happened here?’ and Florence as much of the architecture seems similar. If I can find time I’d like to go into one of the old churches – but that may have to wait for another visit, There’s just so much to do here..
Suddenly, round a corner, the people in front of mr were looking up and to the right and there was an intricate Pieta carving above the closed ancient door which must be part o the cathedral. A little further along I came across the photographer,a kissing couple (posed for the ahot)and the bridge I’ve heard compared to Venice’s Bridge of Sighs.
And the unnoticing crowds walk by….
A few steps further along was one of those artists I love to come across – genuinely demonstrating their art and trying to sell their work for very little money. This man was working in watercolours and was very happy to talk about his love for what he does.
So just round the corner to the Cathedral Square and as I got there a message to say my friends were sitting relaxing in their hotel less than a hundred yards away, so I wandered over to meet them and the rest of the evening was spent catching up and planning the next couple of days.
Sleep came easy again!
Living the Journey 