Barcelona Day 2

After a morning of meetings we had some free time to enjoy the city. We decided to walk up La Rambla.

 La Rambla can be considered a series of shorter streets, each differently named, hence the plural form Les Rambles.

La Boqueria (pictures from the inside next time). Probably Barcelona's best-known market, ideally situated just off La Rambla this market is a must whether sourcing ingredients for a fine meal or just wandering through. It's an assault on the senses with smells coming from the fish to fruit. The food sold ranges from ready-made fresh fruit salads for the tired tourist, to literally fresh out of the sea still moving crabs and lobsters (maybe you would also like to look out for the whole sheep's head!?) Not to mention the bright sweet counters that will act like a magnet for any child (or adult!).  

Enjoying the sights of Las Ramblas.

The Columbus Monument (Monument a Colom in Catalan, also known as the Monumento a Colón and Mirador de Colón in Spanish). It was constructed for the Exposición Universal de Barcelona (1888) and is located at the site where Columbus returned to Spain after his first voyage to the Americas. The monument serves as a reminder that Barcelona is where Christopher Columbus reported to Queen Isabella and Ferdinand after Columbus' most famous trip.

The statue was sculpted by Rafael Atché and is said to depict Columbus pointing towards the New World with his right hand, while holding a scroll in the left. As it was sited, instead of pointing to the west towards the New World, the statue points east towards Columbus's supposed home city of Genoa. The statue is atop a socle, on which the word "Tierra" (land) is inscribed.

 Barcelona Head, a sculpture by famous pop artist Roy Lichtenstein can be admired at the end of Moll de la Fusta, that is, the north eastern part of the harbor area (check this google map with the exact location). Roy was appointed Amici di Barcelona in 1993 by Pasqual Maragall, city mayor during the Olympics. In fact this sculpture was inaugurated for the 1992 Barcelona games as part of the important transformation the wharves underwent during the early 90s. Its 64 feet of concrete and ceramics reminds you of some famous pop art work by the same author

 That night for dinner we went to Bell Reco. Bell Reco was built for a family as their primary residence in the early 1900's. After several years of living in the house, the family decided to move. The mansion remained vacant for 20 year. Today, it is one of the most majestic mansions in Catalonia.

 The pacesetters from Salt Lake. Kelly, Wilma, Kevin, Me, Diane, and Lori.

 Inside the home.

 After dinner we were able to enjoy some famous Flamenco dancing.