The first house designed by Antoni Gaudí is walking distance from our aunt’s apartment in Gràcia but was closed for renovations when we were in Barcelona a few years back. This time, we happened to have a bit of time (outside of family reunions and meals) and so we finally made it there one morning. Highly recommended, wonderfully intricate with many cozy nooks without tourists milling about getting in your way.
Casa Vicens
Carrer de les Carolines, 20, 08012 Barcelona, Spain
For the first time I’m realizing she’s not a baby anymore and is rapidly morphing into a toddler. I miss her round face.
Summer seemed so long ago. A small taste of Catalonia (and the artist she was almost named after) for the little one who will hopefully speak a bit of Catalan one day.
Fundació Joan Miró
Parc de Montjuïc, 08038 Barcelona, Spain
We took the train from Montpellier in southern France to Barcelona. En route, we passed by Perpignan and saw Dali’s famous “Perpignan Centre du Monde” slogan on the platform.
Hello Barcelona !
Grandma making paella valenciana for lunch. Tasty, yay !
View from the balcony, sunny and perfect.
A little jamón ibérico goodness before lunch.
We only had two days in Barcelona so we made sure we were home during mealtimes to eat with the grandparents.
Catalan grandmothers a step ahead of the window shoppers.
Hmmm, anybody knows what this means ?
We were in front of quaint hat shop Sombrereria Obach but didn’t enter since I didn’t need a hat. Maybe next time.
Patron saint in the alleyway.
Looks like a tacky store upfront but if you persist and walk through amid the thumping trance soundtrack, you will end up in a secret beer garden in the back teeming with locals away from the touristy crowd.
I love the elaborate masks. Made me look twice.
Ching chiong fonts, teehee !
Dinner was grandma’s spanish omelette. Homecooked food trumps menú del día any day as it is indeed the ideal introduction to Spain. Unfortunately too, Rafa’s will have to wait for now.
Both in Paris and Barcelona I encountered the tiniest elevators I’ve ever seen in my life. Fits two persons comfortably and maybe a cozy threesome.
The grandparents live not too far away from Camp Nou.
A burst of colors by the roadside.
I am of the opinion that this can only work if the baguette is fresh.
Mmmmmmmh !
My overall impression of Barcelona, too hot and too dry. I was sorely toasted just from walking about in the afternoon.
More of grandma’s recipes. The (raw) cod and bean salad was so deliciously refreshing in the baking heat that I must have had at least three helpings.
A little TV after our lunch before we part ways and make our way back to Paris by train.
