The day started with rain and me sitting in my room getting plenty caffeinated and contemplating the beauty of losing one’s head. Living intensely. Pursuing passion, that kind of stuff. It reminded me that the Chanel mannequins on Paseo de Gracia have literally lost their heads and that I wanted to paint them.
Later, the sun was shining, and I set out for what I consider the most colorful neighborhood of Barcelona: the Raval. Here I saw purple artichoke flowers – have you ever seen such a thing? – and people, many people going about their business or enjoying the sunny afternoon. I ate at my favorite restaurant, Ca’l Estevet. I had cod cheeks with shrimp and they were too good to describe. I wandered through the Boquería market in search of fresitas, tiny fragrant berries from the mountains. I contemplated a visit to a beautiful old bar, but it was closed. Eventually I found my way to the horchata shop. The beverage seemed as refreshing and magical as ever. I drank it and went back to the hotel. I suggested to the friend I’m meeting tonight that we go back to the Raval. Perhaps we can find some Indian food to balance my very decadent Catalan lunch.
The artichoke flowers are splendid and, no, I’ve never seen them before either! Loving all the pics so much. I’m a fly on the wall of your vacation, heh heh.