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Its the quintessential photo that shouts "Barcelona"-Gaudi's La Sagrada Familia. Still a few years off completion mind you. I didnt have time to wait in the three mile queue today to see the inside, that will have to be later this week.
I started today with a nice ramble down La Rambla towards the waterfront. A stroll along the boardwalk and onto Rambla de Mar. On the way back up La Rambla I found Mercat Boqueria-a large food market. From there it was a bit of a walk to La Sagrada Familia via some of Gaudi's other pieces of work (Casa Mila-La Pedrera and Casa Batlio and surrounding buildings). That guy had vision and created the most visually stunning buildings.
I stumbled across a protest at Plaza Catalunya. I should add that ive come across one in Portugal and I met someone who got caught up in one in Athens. Its a bit intimidating. The one in Lisbon was at night and I couldnt understand exactly what was going on, although I can certainly guess. The one here was easier to follow (daylight certainly helps and I didnt feel threatened by this one). Essentially the students/recent graduates are protesting due to unemployment. The unemployment rate for the young is huge-something like 53%. So its unsurprising they are a bit pissed off at the moment. You can definately see the problems the crash has caused in Spain-homelessness is everywhere. Beggers are different-theres a different vibe around. People are taking on any job and any way to earn a bit of extra cash. You sit in a restaurant long enough, someone will come in looking for work. Its worrying to see and I hope NZ does not have the same happen.
On a lighter note a couple of girls from Finland I met were keen to wander around the city and see the Muntanya de Montijuic and surrounding sights. We also went to Plaza Espana and took a lift to the top of Placa de Toros les Arenes (used to be an old bullfighting stadium, as the has now been outlawed as of last summer in Catalonia, it is now a department store). The top provides a 360 degree view of the area as you wander around. Its a good way to see all the way to the National Art Museum.
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