This is Wednesday isn't it?

Losing track of the days is easy when you are on a schedule that only requires you be in a place for so many days as opposed to being to have to be in a place on a certain day. Consequently we are now in Barcelona for five more days. Today being the first day in Barc we decided to get the heavy lifting done first - figure out the Subway system, see the big sights and generally get the bearings needed for efficient touring.

Thanks to a Barcelona website that explains everything (www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/) we had the theory down to a tee, but when one is confronted with actual ticket machines in the Subway - for example - and the lineup is behind you waiting for their turn the pressure is on. Thanks to a patient lineup and instructions in English, on the ticket screen, we did manage to get it.

The first site to see was the one kilometre of pedestrian Mall/open space/recreation called the Ramblas. This walkway is lined with vendors and food tables and a fantastic place for people watching. Running through the heart of the old Town to the waterfront walking it is a great way of seeing Barcelona as they see themselves, of course it is seen better at night but we don;t stay up that late so it was done in daylight. Of course deviation is encouraged (how else can you see what is behind the Main Drag?) and we did deviate.

One such deviation was to see Placa de George Orwell. I was unaware of such a place until this morning when an old school pal mentioned that it was near to Place Real. Looking it up the Orwell spot was very near - I had to visit it, much to the amazement of my better half. Still don't know the circumstances of this place being proclaimed as such but Orwell did serve on the Republican side during the Spanish Civil War. Ironically there is a surveillance camera next to the plaque.

Walking down to the waterfront there is yet another monument to Christopher Columbus. A 288 foot column - we ascended to the small observation tower in an elevator reminiscent of the cage that rescued the Chilean Miners - four people max. The observation deck was about sixteen feet in diameter, on the outside edge but was only about thirty inched wide. A tight squeeze for the people trying to move about.

Down on the ground it was time to hit the next site - the Cathedral. Nothing special as far as Cathedrals go and smaller than some we have seen but it had to be seen. The journey passed many interesting stores and eating spots we would be needing one when we finished with the Cathedral.Entering the place, for nothing the price would be applied five minutes after we were in.

Two outstanding and unique features were the Crypt and tomb of St. Eulalia. This tomb was built under the High Altar and the steps going down are a feature of the both the Altar and the Crypt. The third feature that should have been seen was the roof and the views of the City. Unfortunately that part was not available as the elevator was closed. C'est la Vie.

Now it was time to find a place to eat. The choice was: an Irish pub and order off the menu, a Spanish Tapas Bar and nibble or take any of the the thousands of restaurants that offer "Menu del Dia" a three course meal for a good price. We chose the Menu del Dia - veal for Doreen and pork for me - yummy. Tasted even better with drinks.

Fully refreshed it was time to reenter the Subway and navigate our way home. The Green L3 Line was the one and very quickly we were at the Place d'Espanya. Lucky for us we emerged from the catacombs at the very spot we will need on Friday when we start our journey to Montsarrat. The train to there leaves from the Place d'Espanya and we would have had to find the embarkation point - now we know.

Tomorrow is the HoponHopoff tour and it had better be more informative than the one in Sevilla!