BCN 2013: Sunday Around the City

Home now!! Finally arrived home yesterday after our bumpy flight. Turbulence is probably one of the things I hate about flying. Well, who would love it? But aside from that, I am thankful that we arrived home safe!

Just like what I thought it would be, I was finally able to have a good night sleep on our last night in Barcelona. In time with my body adjusting to the European time zone, I am now back home!! :) 

Anyhow, we had another tiring yet super fun time on our second to the last day in Barcelona. After breakfast, we trooped to Plaza Catalunya and took the Barcelona Bus Turistic that stops in every must see spots in Barcelona. We paid 24 Euro per person for an all-day unlimited ride plus audio guide. We opted to check the whole route first before deciding where to hop off. Riding on the top of the double decker bus, we savored the cool breeze of the morning sun and within two hours, were able to see the city of Barcelona :)

Our first stop was in one of Gaudi's masterpieces -- La Pedrera where we adored the beauty and wonders of the chimneys designed and shaped uniquely :) With well lit and spacious rooms, the interior speaks a language other than what you can hear from the old-looking exterior of the building. If you wish to see more about La Pedrera, please read here. It has much better photos than I do :)

Also on that day, I forced hubby to bring me back to the Gothic Quarter. After reading about the place on Wikipedia, I realized that I don't have a photo of Carrer El Bisbe Irurita - said to be one of the most photographed landmarks in Barcelona - yet. And I definitely do not want to miss seeing it that time that I was finally there :)

We enjoyed walking along the Gothic area that day more than the other as we stroll and watch street performers playing jazz music, classical ones and even soprano singers that you can found in every other corner of the used to be center of the old city of Barcelona.

Sunday is a family day in Barcelona, malls and shops are closed (Zara included -- huhu) with only restos and bars available for family lunches and dinners. It's the time of the week when the public parks are full of parents playing with their kids, children playing football, adults jogging with their dogs, and the old ones sitting quietly on a bench while watching the day go by. Ahhh, I love Barcelona!

There was one mall that was open on that day -- The Maremagnu Mall at Port de Barcelona! It's the rebajas (sales) season so we took advantage. Passing through La Rambla again, we walked all the way to the mall. The sale was really SALE and it was crazzzy! Got boots for my little girl for as low at 9 Euros!! :)

But wait, my story of the day won't end without an encounter with a Filipino samaritan :) On that day, I got a Starbucks' frappe at 50% courtesy of the Filipina cashier. Aww, how will I ever fall out of love with Barcelona? :)