What do they say about first impressions?

Putting on my best “Well don’t judge a city by first impressions face” we headed out to roam the streets of Barcelona to figure out what makes the city tick. All started well at a nice patisserie which made some very nice Spanish-style chocolate croissants and coffee.

Fuelled up we headed out to the city’s Arc de Triomf built in 1888 for the Universal Expo, then to the coast through the rather nice Parc de la Ciutadella which to Carolyn’s delight was teeming with Quaker Parrots.

Through to the waterfront of Barcelona. The waterfront here has the charisma of Docklands with lots of grey stacked up on grey and sand that looked like dirt. I think the comment I made on the train to Carolyn along the lines of “San Sebastian may have spoilt us for Spain” was beginning to ring true.

(Frank Gehry Fish Sculpture on Barcelona waterfront)

Following this was a walk down Las Ramblas which to me had the same feel as Kings Cross, it is a tourist boulevard teeming with peddlers, buskers and lowlifes. That comment was beginning to ring true again.

After traipsing we sat down for dinner at a restaurant that looked OK, been open since 1975 so it can’t be all bad can it? Wrong, food was very average, overpriced and to add insult, bread was listed as a side of 1.20 euro each. Since we didn’t ask for bread when we ordered, and instead ordered fries as a side, we assumed the bread provided was gratis but additional was charged. I think my taxi driver friend has a brother that runs a restaurant.

After 24 hours in Barcelona, I was ready to pull the pin and pull out the next day. But after a bit more time, decided to just ride it out.