out and about...day two

i had hopes of getting up early to "run" (aka turtle jog) this morning...but is was after 9 when i hit the street and i could hear the people as soon as i opened the doorway of the hotel...las ramblas was already bustling...vendors setting up for the day and what seemed like droves of people pulling suitcases toward the harbor...i realized after a few blocks that they were on their way to catch a cruise ship at the port at the end of las ramblas...the sun is out (nah nah weather.com-you were wrong)...

returned to the hotel and picked up my gin...we started the day in the gothic quarter (original part of the city-old town) in the area by the cathedral...

 the allies are rife with the street performers...beggars...and this guy...apparently talent is not required...if you have a few bunnies...a variety of weird naked dolls...and can kinda play the harmonica...you are good to go...

the bubble dude also caught our attention...

after winding through the side streets we reached the front of the cathedral...

 live music on the steps of the cathedral...

 a group of locals dance spontaneously to the music provided by the ensemble above...

 we enjoyed watching these folks...

 off to the port to catch a bus...along the way we stop at the columbus monument...the lions surround the tower...

 roar...

 all aboard...the hop on hop off bus

 first stop...sagrada familia...okay gaudi fans-here you go...

our feet in the narthex...

 jaw dropping...

 amazing light...

 four seasons of construction here...this place has been in process for over 100 years...

 our next stop was park grüell...another gaudi stop...

a little coy don't you think?

we rode the hop on hop off...scoping out other stops for tomorrow...will ride the red line and hit a museum or two...

we returned to our neighborhood for dinner before settling in for the night...a little blogging and grading for the teacher...

kir&gin