Souvenir Shopping in Final Day of Barcelona

Day 7:

By Christopher C Ado

Due to the yelling and rooting Barcelona from the previous night in the cold weather I caught a cold on my last day in Barcelona but as my mom taught me "When you travel and you get sick just suck it up, take an Advil, drink water, and GO." I picked up souvenir shirts and shot glasses for family and friends at the Hard Rock Cafe an Ado family tradition and picked up chocolates for friends and co-workers. I did some tourist pictures before getting ready to leave the next day.

The fountain below is located in the Passeig de Gràcia better known as Barcelona's equivalent to Paris's Champs-Élysées with all the high end shopping brands located along that avenue.

There so many highlights of this trip but three really stood out.

1 - Antonio Gaudi - Many would associate Gaudi's work with La Sagrada Famila but to me his most impressive structure that he completed was the Park Guell. If you go to Barcelona make sure a visit to that beautiful city includes a trip to Park Guell.

2 - Paella - I was so pleased to wait for Thursday to enjoy Paella because I had a memorable meal at the Restaurant 7 Portes where the entire experience was five star.

3 - FC Barcelona - If you are lucky to watch a game during the season PLEASE even if you are not football fan go watch the team that is known as More than a Club.

That's a wrap for the blog and thank you so much for reading it. I enjoyed writing it and gave me new ideas to implement for next year's trip. Europe, Asia, or maybe Africa safari. I have plenty of time to think about where to go for next year. Until then Ciao.

Christopher Ado

The Magic of FC Barcelona

Day 6:

By Christopher C. Ado

Anyone that knows me well knows the number one thing on the Barcelona trip was going to the F.C. Barcelona vs Almeria game on Sunday March 2, 2014. The only previous soccer or football game I attended was over 3 years ago when Barcelona visited the United States and played the LA Galaxy in a exhibition game at the Rose Bowl but to go to actual League game where a win matters is something I never experienced.

From my section at the stadium I was seated where the hard core Barcelona fans were seated and I cheered, yelled, and even cussed at the opposing players. The picture below highlights there Blugranda colors of blue and red but also the yellow and red which is the national flag for the city of Catalunya which wishes to be independent from Spain.

Below is actual sequence on how the players attempt to get the ball into the opposing team's goal. What needs to be mentioned is how the play around the middle of the field better known as the midfield linked so well to go the ball the goal. It was as if they were floating over the field passing the ball beautifully to the striker to score the goal. 

However the highlight of the game was not only Barcelona beating Almeria 4-1 but also the free kick by one Leo Messi. My seats were right behind the opposing goal so I beautiful view of the kick but did not take a picture. The video of the goal was beautiful and something that should not be missed even if you are not a football or soccer ball. This goal made the price of the ticket worth the price of the admission.

http://youtu.be/IQn-HBUD9ag

Spanish Village, Chocolate, Tapas, and Flamenco

March 3, 2014

Day 5:

Saturday's journey around the city of Barcelona took me to some of the amazing sights and taste of the city. First will be the sights. So far you have seen the city of Barcelona from the mountains of Montserrat to the beautiful Park Guell but the view from Montjuic mountain near the Olympic Village where the 1992 Olympics was held was breathtaking.

Next was the Spanish Village created for the second World Fair in Barcelona. The Spanish Village was created to create the country of Spain in small blocks in the village. What I did not prepare for the Spanish Village was the incredible food especially the chocolates. 

Part of any Tapas meal would be either Sangaria, Red Wine, and Champagne. In Barcelona Champagne is only used for celebration. For me I would prefer the Sangaria. 

Tapas Display. From the top left corner: Meat Ball, Pork Pie, Fried Spinach Roll with Cheese, Goat Cheese with Tomatoes, and Olives, and Blood Sausage.

However the best part of the Spanish Village was the chocolate. I have had plenty of chocolate from Switzerland, Paris, and other places in Europe. Hands down the chocolate from the Spanish Village was the best. 

After a short Siesta to recover from all the food and touring at the Spanish Village it was time for Flamenco. It's a Spanish folk dance that originates from the South of Spain and uses singing, playing guitar, clapping, and of course dancing. 

Memorable Religious Experience and More Food: Montserrat and Mercat de Sant Josep/ La Boqueria

February 28, 2014

By Christopher C. Ado

If you ever planned a trip to a major city the majority of the time guide books, people, and tour groups will only take you to the major tourist destinations and you will go on to the next city. However with my entire trip dedicated to the city of Barcelona I decided to take the advise of my co-worker and visit the mountains of Montserrat. After visiting monastery at the Santa Maria de Montserrat I can say a visit to Barcelona without seeing Montserrat will be a missed opportunity to see one of the most beautiful monasteries I have seen. It is away from the busy city and is elevated 1,236 meters above sea level. During my visit the winds up off and on but once inside it was worth the cold weather.

The morning started off as usual with a pastry and cafe but instead of cafe de leche I ordered a hot chocolate. Lesson learn. Stick to the cafe de leche. The croissant next is not just a chocolate croissant but inside is filled with Nutella.

The following pictures below are from Montserrat but one picture will get a more detailed description and that is the picture of the Virgin of Montserrat. 

The Entrance into Montserrat Monastery

The Virgin of Montserrat overlooks the entire cathedral during daily mass. Known as Black Madonna and it is believed to be carved in Jerusalem in the early days of the Church. 

Now all this walking and sitting in a bus of course made me hungry and one only has to go the Mercat de Sant Josep/ La Boqueria to find your lunch. Open six days a week from 8AM to 6PM with a variety of different fast food restaurants but by fast food I do not mean McDonalds. They are vendors who buy food from the market and cook it for your lunch or dinner. Case in point my scallops for lunch.

Here are my scallops before the food vendor cook them. 

Below is the final product. DELICIOUS

And for dessert Macaroons 

The Heaven of Paella

February 27, 2014,

The ingredients for the Spanish dish Paella are simple:

• 1 yellow or white onion, diced
• 2 tomatoes, diced
• 1 whole chicken or 8 drumsticks or thighs
• 1 1/2 lbs pork loin (fat trimmed), cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/2 lb calamari (squid)
• 1 - 1 1/2 lbs medium grain or "bomba" rice
• 4-6 cups fish broth (or chicken broth if unavailable)
• 1 large pinch saffron threads
• 1 1/2 lbs raw mussels in shell (frozen or fresh)
• 1 lb small clams (frozen or fresh)
• 1 1/2 lbs raw shrimp, medium or large - shell on
• 1 sweet red bell pepper
• 1 10 oz. pkg frozen peas
• Spanish olive oil, salt to taste

However in California there is only place that I can say the Paella was excellent and that was at the Pamplemousse Grille in San Diego and they only serve it during the summer season. According to the locals Thursdays are designed for paella and as the old adage says "When in Rome Do What the Romans Do." Before the food pictures the morning began with another trip to one of Gaudi's works, La Pedrea (the Stone Quarry). What makes this apartment block worth seeing is the roof top where not only you can witness some amazing views of the city line of Barcelona but some fascinating structures he built. 

Instead of my traditional pastry with coffee I decided to stick with the coffee but get a quiche. This is my normal morning. Planning out my visits while eating breakfast. 

Inside the apartment towers of La Pedrera

One of the many pictures from the roof of La Pedrea

The next two pictures give a great view of how tall the Sagrada Famila

I love this picture below. Gaudi created this structure topping it with the number of wine bottle he drank creating this structure. 

Gaudi got his inspiration for his structures in his buildings through human body and animals. 

Right in the heart of the busy shopping street, Passeig de Gracia, is another of Gaudi's buildings. 

The restaurant that I was eagerly waiting to eat Paella was not open until 1PM for lunch so I decided to walk around and found the Barcelona Cathedral. For those waiting for the food pictures I promise that will be next. 

If you are trying to count calories in Barcelona I have one piece of advise. Just stay home. How can you turn down one of those delicious pastries. 

In Front of the Barcelona Cathedral

Now the pictures of the paella. Everything about Restaurant 7 Portes was superb. Now I know some will say that "Hey Chris there are other places in Barcelona that serve Paella that is cheaper." My response is do you want to have Paella at a place that serves Pizza and Salad on the same menu or a restaurant that specializes in the dish? No more typing I will let the pictures of the food do the talking.

Monkfish Soup. The purpose of this soup is the broth use serves as an excellent dipper for the bread. ALWAYS complement your meal with a glass of the house red wine.  

In Barcelona part of any lunch is serving fried pork skin better known as Chichiron

Paella

More Paella

Even More Paella

All That Walking Made Me Hungry Man! 

Raisin and Banana Flan with Cafe de Leche. NEVER leave a restaurant in Barcelona or Europe without having dessert. 

Done.