Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
It's been 2 days and we are now in Barcelona. We are enjoying the rooftop bar at our Hotel Neri (beautiful boutique hotel) right in the heart of the Gothic Quarter across from the cathedral.
First back to Madrid, we had a busy day yesterday starting at the Prado and then going through the Royal Palace (with shopping and coffees and wine in between). The GREAT news for anyone going to Madrid - visit the Prado and the Palace on a Wed because it's FREE. Both were amazing and too much to describe.
Late in the afternoon it rained, so we took a cab back to the hotel and then back out to the BOTIN (Sobano de Botin) restaurant where we had 8pm reservations. The Botin restaurant came highly recommended to us by friends and is considered the oldest restaurant in the world (according to Guiness book of records) - but we were not impressed with the food. We saw the lines of tourists around the corner and it was a 'madhouse' once we were seated. Rosemary and Mary Kay order the suckling pig and I had the lamb. (we would call it 'suckey pig and lamb'), service was not good and the food was dry and not impressive (especially after all the great tapa restaurants we had been to).
After the disappointing dinner, we headed back to the Mercado, which was packed and had wine and chocolate. The "lush" (Mary Kay) continued to drink martinis.
Walked back to the hotel through protests (see pictures) which were all over Madrid. They are protesting the wealthy getting too rich, while the middle class suffers (sound familiar?) - we sit passively at home watching Anderson Cooper and they take to the streets - what's wrong with America?
Went to bed "early" at 1am because we had to catch an early train to Barthalona (as they say).
High speed train whisked us to Barcelona in 3 hours this morning. We were greeted by a driver from the Neri hotel in a mercedes town car. The car stopped outside the cathedral because it can't fit down the street the hotel is on. The hotel is beautiful, modern, chic, boutique - our room is deluxe. GREAT location.
We went to lunch nearby at a tapa bar (very good). Wondered the streets around and in the Cathedral; an antique fair, over to the outdoor market, more protests in Plaza Cataluna. Enjoyed Las Ramblas the wide, busy main blvd in Barcelona (kind of a mix between the Champs elleyse (?) and Bourbon Street). Then back through the gothic quarter and now we are HERE sitting in a garden having wine and contemplating where to have dinner.
More later - tomorrow is Mary Kay's BIG day (birthday) so we are trying to figure out what to do for her special day. Adios Amigos. Hasta La Vista.
- comments
Kawika Happy Birthday Mary Kay and I hope you are all having the time of your life!!! Try and call my Friend Laura Siempre who lives in Barcelona and her number are 935005161 hm. and 637979975 cel. Aloha Kawika xoxo
Susie Hyder Wonderful photos and love the blog. Nancy - you are a kick. Rosemary - loved the sleeping shot - be you do too. Happy Birthday to Marrrrry Kaaaayy, Happy Birthday to you. Looks like you are all havig way too much fun. Hugs, Susie
Polly Howard Hey Nancy, sounds like a fun time all around, maybe stay away from those tourist hotel/restaurant traps and go where the locals go, like the tapa bars that you're enjoying. Have they made any progress on that cathedral since I was there in 1981? probably not LOL... I don't know you Mary Kay but happy bday, maybe I'll meet you one day. Where's your next stop???
Merc Happy Birthday MK.......... Have a GREAT day !!!!!
Pate' Nan, you are a hoot!! your descriptions are fantastic, yes locals know the best places to go for sure, keep up the pace and fun. love reading these. Happy Birthday MK, what a great place to spend it!! hugs
Mary Lookin Like Lotsa Fun! RR we miss YOU!