More Barcelona

What the hell?

On two successive afternoons, Rob led Beth through pedestrian shopping districts in search of Spanish-made shoes that were both to Beth’s liking and a bargain. By Rob’s account, he figured that they had checked close to fifty different shoe stores in Barcelona’s core. Each one they entered he began the process by trying to be the good 'girlfriend’ by aiding in the shoe selection. Giving his full effort, he attempted to find styles that appealed to her particular taste.  When this operation proved unsuccessful, he occupied his time trying on men’s shoes he liked or, in the case of stores with only women’s shoes, take photographs of the more unusual styles.

We passed through the seven levels
of the Candy Cane forest, through
the sea of swirly twirly gum drops,
and then we walked through
the Lincoln Tunnel.

Entering into one store after another Beth found many appropriate styles, but unfortunately few were left in her size.  At this time of the year almost every shoe store exhibited a “2° Rebjais” sign indicated a secondary markdown and, although many shoes were left in the smaller sizes, few were left in size 41. In an act of desperation, after finding a pair of short black lace-up boots which she had been searching for for years, Beth tried squeezing her feet and orthotics into a size 40.  Although successful in the exercise of placing the shoes on her feet, she was in obvious discomfort when she attempted to walk about the store. Sadly she removed the shoes but made note of the style and brand and was determined to conduct an extensive internet search which Rob jokingly compared to "chasing unicorns".  However she was convinced of her ultimate success.

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Gaudi courtyard above.

Gaudi courtyard below

Guell Park, an architectural design of Antoine Gaudi, is free to the public and one of the best sights in Barcelona. The large main pedestrian area of the park is surrounded by one 250+ meter long, wavy, mosaic bench surrounding an open courtyard which is often populated by entertainers. Tourists are always found in this popular park enjoying the sun or the scenic view of Barcelona’s coast.  Off to one side of the courtyard is an elevated patio terrace usually populated with young couples having drinks while people watching. Underneath the expansive courtyard, thick columns support the massive tonnage of rock and pedestrians above. 

Bubble fun.

Ahhhhh! Period 1

While the sun was moving across the late afternoon sky, Rob with book in hand and Beth with her iPad, sat soaking up vitamin D and reading in the warm, sunny afternoon. Every once in a while Rob glanced at his watch to determine which period of the school day his colleagues were teaching in Canada.

“Oh… They are on the second half of period 1.”

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A Miro Parc sculpture

Most days in mid afternoon Beth and Rob would take turns seeking out the restaurant outing of the day. Beth usually chose a vegetarian restaurant that she had looked up online. These places tended to offer more ethnically diverse menus and were usually quite delicious.  When Rob chose he usually sought out a place that offered a typical Spanish menu plan.  The plans, usual very filling, came in three courses:  primo plate, a main plate, and a dessert. The menus often included choice of beer or wine, and ran at a price of around 10€.

After attending the Picasso museum, Rob decided to stop at an Irish restaurant that also included the menu plan, which was his preference.   After placing their orders, they sat and discussed their thoughts on the latest episode of  “The Walking Dead”.  During the previous couple weeks they had been immersed into the AMC series, which they watched each evening before they slept.  After the arrival of the first course they discussed topics which included, 'Who do you think will be killed off next?’ and 'How could we survive during a zombie apocalypse?’ 

Beth was bitten.

When the entrees arrived Rob eagerly gobbled down his half roasted chicken dinner with roasted potatoes, and then eyed Beth's plate which was hardly touched.

“Is your dinner alright?” asked Rob. “ You’re eating awfully slow.  Are you still sick?”

“No, I’m not enjoying this fish.”

Looking down at the plate Rob stared at a whole fish that was resting at the side of her plate. The grey-skinned fish, with an open gaping mouth and large, cloudy, bulging eyes stared back at him.

“It looks like it’s a zombie fish."

“ I KNOW!!”

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Dancing ladies.!???.... Whaaat the..?

“Why are people wearing costumes?” Beth asked the waitress who sported a pirate costume.

“It’s Carnivale.” the waitress replied.

When she returned to the apartment Beth looked up places to go during Carnivale in Barcelona.  She went to the ‘Couch Surfing Social Network’ chat room and discovered that on that evening the gay community was having a celibately parade that was highly attended in the nearby town of Sitges.

Dancing ladies, I think.

Later that evening on a clear 5°C night, both Canadians stood bundled up warmly on a street corner and watched as scantily dressed dancing troupes preceded decorative floats playing music that carried dancers while all around confetti and pot smoke floated through the air.   Around them stood multitudes of costumed spectators watching and joining in the celebrations.

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Unicorn captured.

After failing at locating the black laced up boots online, Beth directed Rob to return her to Roy Alty shoe store before leaving Barcelona to try on the size 40 boots again. One again she squeezed her foot in with orthotics and once again they were uncomfortable. 

Sadly, she asked the shoe clerk if there was a size 41 to be found in town.

“No, but try taking the shoe’s insert out and use just your orthotic,” suggested the clerk.

 As she pulled on the boots and walked around the store, Beth called out to Rob, "Looks like I just found my unicorn."