David's Diary: Wednesday, December 19, 2001

La Rambla, Barcelona

After three days of travel, Karalee and the boys are ready to stay onboard, read, and have some quiet time. But my exploring partner, Jocelyn, and I were ready to go out and see Barcelona. We set off along Port Vell and before long we were on Barcelona's famed pedestrian street -- La Rambla. La Rambla is a wide pedestrian avenue with small single lane traffic streets on either side. Day or night, the street is crowded with people out for a stroll, shopping, watching street performers, or looking at each other.

As you walk north along La Rambla, street vendors change. At the start, near Port Vell, are newspaper and magazine stands. Next are many flower stalls filled with Christmas flowers and tiny little Christmas trees. Further along are pet stalls selling birds, rabbits, and other small pets.

Place de Catalunya

At the head of La Rambla the avenue opens out on to Place de Catalunya. This large square is as crowded as La Rambla. Under the square are both a metro station and a train station. Stores surround the square and fountains and trees grace the top.

From Place de Catalunya, Jocelyn and I visited the tourist information center, obtaining a street map and answers to our many questions about Barcelona. We then visited some of the major stores to get a feel for where we can do our Christmas shopping. Then it was back down La Rambla, across the pedestrian bridge that opens to let sailboats into the private marinas, and finally along the seafront to Dragonsinger. More exploring will have to wait, since Christmas is around the corner and we have not got a single present.