Spain, World

Passing through Barcelona

Anyone who visits Spain must visit Barcelona. And I mean spend some days in the city. There is so much to see. The old town, the architectural wonders of Antonio Gaudi, the sea. Barcelona always makes me feel alive!
Unfortunately this time around, I just passed through the town which is the capital of Catalunya, and the second largest city in Spain. I had a couple hour layover between trains, as I veered back south along the coast to head back through Valencia to Xàtiva.

I made good use of the time, taking a subway to the harbor, a short amble on the “Ramblas”, and then back by subway to the train station.

Gong back to the port was a bit of a pilgrimage for me. It was from Barcelona that Rhonda and I left on our transatlantic cruise several years earlier. That was a wonderful trip! Here you can see a couple of tall masted sailing ships dockside.
Gong back to the port was a bit of a pilgrimage for me. It was from Barcelona that Rhonda and I left on our transatlantic cruise several years earlier. That was a wonderful trip! Here you can see a couple of tall masted sailing ships dockside.

 

Today Las Ramblas is essentially a pedestrian mall that stretches from the port (and a monument to Columbus) to the Plaza de Catalunya. It is packed with pedestrians, kiosks and open air restaurants on the mall itself, and shops in the buildings that line the sides. You will also see many street performing "Statues" of all sorts.
Today Las Ramblas is essentially a pedestrian mall that stretches from the port (and a monument to Columbus) to the Plaza de Catalunya. It is packed with pedestrians, kiosks and open air restaurants on the mall itself, and shops in the buildings that line the sides. You will also see many street performing “Statues” of all sorts.
Ornate fountain I saw along the Ramblas.
Ornate fountain I saw along the Ramblas.

 

The cities in Spain provide very "rider friendly" public transportation experience. In Valencia and Zaragoza, the urban bus stops have electronic banner readout telling you when the next bus will arrive (listed by bus number!). Here on the Barcelona Metro (subway) little lights show you exactly where you are along the route as you thunder along underground! (sorry for such a blurry picture! This was a one-handed shot with my cell phone as I stood in the aisle!)
The cities in Spain provide very “rider friendly” public transportation experience. In Valencia and Zaragoza, the urban bus stops have electronic banner readout telling you when the next bus will arrive (listed by bus number!). Here on the Barcelona Metro (subway) little lights show you exactly where you are along the route as you thunder along underground! (sorry for such a blurry picture! This was a one-handed shot with my cell phone as I stood in the aisle!)