Across the pond

Leaving Seattle, we hopped on to a plane for a compressed day. We departed at about 1:30 in the afternoon on September 11th and arrived in Barcelona, Spain at about 11:30 on September 12th.  The total span of time was 10 or 11 hours.  Between 2 planes, we were served dinner, breakfast and lunch, in that order.  A nap here and there, had to suffice for a “good nights sleep”. 

Barcelona is a big, beautiful city with a well blended mix of old and new.  








We cabbed it to our hotel, dropped off our luggage and made way to find a beer.  Refreshed, a “hop-on, hop-off” bus, provided our transportation for sightseeing.  A couple of stops for tapas and more beer made it too late to visit all of the attractions on our must-do list.  What we did see, however, made it a truly enjoyable day.  




Our lack of slumber was becoming evident as we caught ourselves nodding off at stops.  We did manage to take a harbor tour late in the afternoon, wonder around some shopping areas and make our way to a recommened restaurant for dinner. 


We were informed at the Restaurante 7 Portas, that no seatings were available without a reservation.  That restaurant recommended a nearby place at address “2”. 


A number on the side of a building, said “2”.  Down a short alleyway, was an unassuming door. Beyond the door was a curious matre‘d who was happy to show us to a table. 




They immediately and very attentively began serving us bread, champagne and an assortment of delicious hors devours.  


We inquired about a menu as the service continued.  Apparently, there is no menu except the encyclopedia sized wine menu.  Dinner is served according to what is fresh that day.  Tonight’s meal was plate after plate of calamari, shrimp, octopus, salmon pate, sardines… and on and on.  Our waiter was a real character and seemed to delight in surprising us in serving even more!  We had a terrific meal.  Dinner was capped with a couple of different liquors and a sorbet. 




Completely exhausted, and satiated (well almost all of us), we headed back to the hotel and called it a night. 


We had reservations for an early train the next morning, to take us to Tarragona. 

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