Today we hit a couple of new places. I’ve been working on getting into the university for years, but typically we are here during the holidays when the central campus building, and it’s beautiful gardens, are closed. This morning I was able to walk right in and wander about and take photos.
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| University of BCN |
It’s quite overwhelming in its grandeur, with paintings on loan from the Prado museum, and one room devoted to portraits of past chancellors (I suppose) who numbered in the hundreds and went back through centuries.
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| University of BCN |
All male. I loved the inner courtyards and tile and general serenity enhanced by the multiple flowing fountains.
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| University of BCN |
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| University of BCN |
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| University of BCN |
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| University of BCN |
In the afternoon we went over to Poblenou, a neighborhood we had visited once to see the historical cemetery, but then realized there was a lot more to see.
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| Rambla Poblenou |
Today we walked down the main pedestrian avenue, Rambla Poblenou. This was all inspire by an article I read, “The Other Ramblas.” It recommended several lesser-known pedestrian streets including Rambla Raval, Catalunya, Gaudí and this one that we had not yet visited.
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| Rambla Poblenou |
It’s a good strategy when traveling in BCN to look for less-obviously touristed sites or visit the main ones in off times. The city can be a mob scene, especially when cruise ships disembark (between 9:30 and 5:00), but those crowds tend to stay in the Gotíc and Born districts. And we are loving January as a relatively “quiet time” for the city.
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| Rambla Poblenou |
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| Calamari with Green Curry Aioli, Tapas 58 |
I’d marked one restaurant that sounded good and it paid off. Tapas 58 was popular but we were first to enter when the metal barrier was lifted so we snagged a good table. We choose to order individual tapas rather the the “menu del dia”. Compared to many tables around us we are moderate in our consumption and only order three plates to share: fried eggplant with honey/rosemary, fried calamari and duck breast. Wow!
The eggplant was the same broad concept as Cúrate, albeit less elegant. Still, it was cooked perfectly. And the honey!
I enjoyed having a slower morning as Lorena took off early to take pictures and I had a leisurely shower and breakfast. The days are settling into a pre-lunch adventure, a long lunch then back to the apartment for a good nap. Sometimes we venture out at night and other times we hunker in. Tonight I was challenged to venture out alone and get needed wine and water. I start out fearful but instantly spark to the energy and excitement on the streets. It’s hard to describe how at 7:30 PM its like the middle of the day at home. All the stores are open and doing brisk business. I think I need to work on going out alone. We’ll see.
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| Fried Eggplant with Honey at Tapas 58 |
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| At the end of Rambla Poblenou |
Back at home we had a tuna salad for dinner–the vegetables are so fresh and the tuna just outstanding. Then the highlight of my evening was catching a new Tilda Swinton interview where she mentions and then raves about our favorite film twice. We may have to watch Pressburger and Powell tonight….
K & L's Travel Blog 