Weekend in Barcelona

Summertime brings me back to our summer escape to Europe...to a weekend in Barcelona in the spring of 2012. It was a debate between Madrid and Barcelona but hubby yielded, trusting that I had some interesting places to visit. But no, it was only a Woody Allen film that made me want to go to the city, only to find out that most of the picturesque places featured in the film are in Oviedo.

We arrived Friday afternoon, famished, but had to check-in first at Hostal Radio.

No-frills, just good location and very friendly staff. 

Time for lunch. We found Xaica and enjoyed their pan de payes, beer...

olives...

and of course...

the paella. 

No matter how overloaded you are with carbs, there is always room for dessert! 

We didn't see the attractions shown on Vicky Cristina Barcelona the next day, only these:

La Sagrada Familia,

Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, and facing it, the  Plaça d'Espanya.

Walking along La Rambla, one can see artists showcasing their art, restos serving pricey local food and small booths selling souvenirs. At the end is the Rambla del Mar, port area of Barcelona.

On the way back, we missed to turn right, not to eat fried chicken, but to see the Gothic Quarter, the old city of Barcelona, which could have given us contentment for this trip :(

Instead, we turned left to the market to buy... 

 nothing :)

We killed time at Plaça Catalunya, 

then off to Xaica for yet another big pan of paella (this time the black one).

How can you leave Spain without tasting callos?

How can you leave a resto without having dessert???

While the sun welcomed us last Friday with all its glory,

it hid behind dark clouds as we left Sunday morning.

No problem, something had brighten up hubby's day at the airport...