SPAIN PART ll CONT.

We leave Barcelona the next day, but return in 1985, 1987, 1994, & 2000. It is one of our favorite cities to visit, and is a convenient departure point for trips to southern France. In early May of 1985 we fly TWA from San Francisco via New York to Barcelona for four nights. After one night at the Hotel Cristal, we move to the small, nice, and inexpensive Hotel Montecarlo with a good location on the Ramblas.

The Ramblas, with traffic lanes on both sides, is a wide pedestrian area where there are all kinds of stands: flower, book & newspaper, birds, etc., and many people, including mimes, musicians, and other strolling entertain-ers. There are lots of shade trees and chairs where one can sit (for a small fee) and rest or watch. It is a most pleasant place to stroll! Nearby is the Old City with narrow mostly pedestrian streets, and around each corner a nice surprise like a small plaza displaying art work, or a church, or small restaurants. On one side of the Ramblas is a huge market with many small food shops; it is a great place to get fresh fruit, bread, cheese, peppers or cucumbers, wine, and prepared meats for lunches and evening snacks. Also on the Ramblas is the elegant Liceo Theater where we get seats in the 4th balcony for the British Royal Ballet performance of Sleeping Beauty.

There are many good places to eat in Barcelona. Our favorite is the Aquarium Restaurant close to the H. Montecarlo. It is a small family place with good and not expensive meals (but unfortunately was closed and had disappeared at our last visit). The best bargain at Spanish restaurants, as in France, is the menu of the day which includes several courses, and sometimes wine of the area. We also enjoy Los Caracoles & 7 Portes, as well as a small restaurant next door to the Montecarlo.

The Picasso Museum is close to the cathedral and is in a beautiful old building filled with fabulous displays of his work including rough sketches and charcoal drawings, pen & pencil, watercolors, oils, and even ceramics. Much of the art was donated by the artist and his family. The exhibits are nicely arranged in the order of his life, and cover 3 floors of a 14th century palace. Leaving the Museum in ‘85 we encounter a huge parade on the main street supporting (we think) independence from both super powers.