Today was the first day I felt my legs were somewhat normal and my legs didn’t hurt. I slept in until 10:30AM today! I guess I needed some sleep! I went down to the restaurant and had a server help me make my oatmeal (can’t beat free) and then was off to explore. A lot of places were closed because it was considered a labor-related holiday today. Additionally, there was also a protest of the working class going on which was much like a parade—music, confetti in the streets, megaphones! One of the places we were heading (huge market) was closed so we went to see the Cathedral Barcelona and Las Ramblas (significant street which use to sell flowers, now a tourist trap-lots of the same things being sold in every shop).  Guess who I bump into walking back down Las Ramblas---Maggie Czerwien. Of all places, I see her in Barcelona (She lives in Madrid and was just there vacationing and visiting—very ironic!) We chatted for a bit—what a pleasant surprise!

After walking a bit we decided to go to Sitges which is right along the Mediterranean Sea just for a couple hours.  Woohoo beach time!! We took a fast train, only about an hr ride or so. Sitges is beautiful, a little warmer here. When we arrived we had to make our way to the water so we walked down many meandering streets. These streets were very well crammed and lead into hundreds of shops/restaurants/cafes. We stopped at a little shop and had some fresh fruit cups…mmmm  they were delicious!! Finally we made it down to the water and discovered it was a nude beach. Ohh boy hide my eyes. Of course it is the old old men who are completely naked just walking up and down the beach….Emily and I had our fix rather quickly and enjoyed many many laughs. Being Europe, most women were topless (all ages), but those that chose to be completely nude, most were aged but some middle age as well.

We decided to look at more of the waterside and walked by the harbor which had many restaurants, shops—seemed to be where those who vacation here at Sitges all went to dinner—seemed pretty fancy. We walked back along the beach and head back toward the train and window shop along the way. We stopped in a café since we were both a little hungry. We had a few little sandwiches, tuna/peppers and cucumber with cream cheese on bread---small little appetizers to hold us over, both were very good! In this café, they were playing 80’s music and Whitney Houston (Wanna Dance with Somebody) came on. Emily and I started singing, laughing---just relaxing and having a good time. It seems everywhere we went we would make friends and could always find someone who spoke English. After we finished our snacks we headed back to the train station and got off at Plaza de Grasie (35 min ride). From here we walked to Casa Mila, also known as “La Pedrera “which is Goudi’s amazing, grand created apartment building. We took the official tour, went to the rooftop (could see the whole city from here-just wonderful), the attic, and at the apartment—so unique, each nook and cranny was detailed and very distinctly Goudi. After we walked around the building, we walked back to the hotel to shower and head to our Flamenco Show! I was so stoked for a live dance performance. Only 180 people were allowed into the show, it was very small and guess who had the front row? Woot woot! We walked to the theatre which was just down Las Ramblas so maybe just 30 min or so.

The show was fantastic. Lots of stomping, singing (very different accents than what I am use to so I am not sure how much appreciation I had for the singing), partnering, 4 female dancers and 2 males, an entire band. The dancing was very intense---very focused dancers, no smiles until each dance was complete. These male dancers were sweating and few times as they whipped their hair back during their dance and to make more accented movement I got a little wet!. The show lasted about 2 hours and then it was back to the hotel to sleep! What a day!

I learned the origin of tapas from Emily---Tapas origin: couldn’t just drink and have nothing inside their stomachs so they out food on top of their drink and called them tapas.