Friday – Valentine’s Day in Barcelona

We slept in (I set the alarm for 7 PM rather than AM) and very quickly ran out to get a pair of breakfast sandwiches.  Taco Bell was the only choice, since McDonalds is only a Cafe in the morning.  Anyway we wolfed the sandwiches, ordered a taxi and were up at Parc Güell just at 10 when our tour was ready to start.  The park was originally a housing development to have 60 houses with small lots with 90% of the lot open space.  This fell through and only two houses were built, but it turned into a town park with many incredible engineering and architectural marvels.  All water was saved in cisterns below having been collected and passed through the columns.  The seats around the square are ergonomic and designed for conversation and the water goes out through gargoyles eventually to the cistern.

After exiting the park, we went into the house where Gaudí lived for the last several years of his life. It had more of his ergonomic furniture and his religious items

We then left the park, caught a taxi to Chivuo’s, a hole-in-the-wall hamburguesa place. Before it opened, we stopped and Susan bought a red scarf in honor of Valentine’s Day. At the recommendation of the shopkeeper, we had lunch of tequeños (sort of mozzarella sticks covered with light batter) and the Chivuo’s special burger.

We then caught a taxi to the Mercado de Santa Caterina for a quick walkthrough. It was a huge market full of all sorts of food. If we lived here, it would be a mainstay. We resisted buying the tripe, though I think it is the first time I have seen that delicacy.

We then went to the Picasso Museum and saw many of his works throughout his career. We then took a taxi back to the room. We will probably go out for dinner later.

Tomorrow is our last full day here.