Day 16. Game day!

As we had agreed the night before, the day started with a visit to the Boqueria Markets, a real treat of colours, tastes and smells. These markets are just off the Rambla so it was only a short walk from our hotel in Universitat however we decided to take the Metro as it was a good opportunity to explain the mechanics to those who had not used the Barca metro before... A single priced ticket for any journey, checked when you enter but not when you leave... making sure that you follow the signs to the right line and travelling in the right direction... all metros are somewhat confusing at first use and simple thereafter!

We emerged from the Liceu station right outside the markets and headed in.

We had a fresh juice from the bewildering variety available. They all looked pretty good. Two euros per large glass... suck that up Boost Juice!




It was crowded enough that we agreed not to try to stay together but rather to come back to the entrance after an hour.

Mixed mushrooms

Christine and I had breakfast of coffee and eggs. I had mixed mushrooms which looked and tasted fabulous. There were  at least six different sorts of mushrooms in the mix, many of which you just don't see in Australia.

Not exactly short of oil in the cooking method though :-(

Lots of the usual variety of things to see, like most fresh food markets it is a great place to take a camera.

Baskets of snails - some trying to escape

Even eggs for sale can be presented attractively

We then made the short walk to see Barcelona Cathedral which has a really beautiful circular stained glass window.

The church was badly damaged by looting and a fire during the civil war, and at several earlier times in the tumultuous history of the city.

After that we did some souvenir shopping and people watching in the narrow streets of this area.

Based on what Keith, Christine and Julie had seen the previous day from the bus we headed up to Casa Batlló on Passeig de Gràcia , a house designed by Gaudi. Like almost any Gaudi creation it has the ability to polarise opinion - I would find it quite liveable but other people were not so warmed :-)

Talk about warming, there is this lovely fireplace nook inside the entrance.

Chimneys

Central light well. The house is spread over five floors. There is a life and a lovely winding staircase.

I went back to the hotel to sort out some last minute dramas with tickets (it all turned out OK) and then watched the road world championships on the tele.

So - the big night - Barcelona vs Granada! We had an early tapas dinner close to the hotel and caught a taxi out to the stadium. The 9pm start isn't late by Barcelona standards, often their games start at 10pm. At night the Camp Nou is even more impressive than in the day time. We started off on exactly the wrong side so we had a walk around half the perimeter to get to our seats but we had plenty of time. You could feel the buzz of excitement in the crowd as it slowly built. Lots of people in Barca colours but a few wearing Granada strip. In Spain there is little or no risk of soccer violence and the fans of other teams are welcome - well perhaps not welcome but treated with respect.

Before the game

Photos with the children

The team is introduced

Xavi scores!

... and celebrates!

The final result was 2-0, I sang and clapped along with the crowd and had a fabulous night!

After the game we met up again with Keith and Julie, had a drink at a bar as we waited for the crowd to disperse somewhat, but it was still a queue, hot and crowded to catch the metro back to the hotel but I was happy anyway!