La Rambla

   We spent the day getting oriented and we walked the main street in the old city, La Rambla. It's a wide walking boulevard that's about a mile and a half long and filled with trees, outdoor cafes, flowers, artsy tourist shops, street performers (one on steroids), and even an outdoor pet shop. It begins at the huge Columbus monument on the south side edge of the city and ends in the heart of the city on the north end. Columbus is pointing to the Americas that helped make Spain such a rich country in the 1500's and 1600's.

   It was sunny and warm so we walked down some shady side streets into the old Barcelona Cathedral that was dark and cool inside. It was under renovation but still impressive with it's age (11th century) and all the side altars full of artwork and gold. There were statues for a couple of saints I've never even heard of. Afterward we stopped at a street cafe for a tappas late lunch and something cold to drink. 

   Tomorrow we'll venture out of the old city and hop a tour bus to see some of the famous Antonio Gaudi architecture.