Returning from temperatures in the mid to high 30s in Madrid, Barcelona’s low 20s was a shock. We had to break out the icebreakers and? layer up. Fortunately it wbedürftiged up and by the time we left we were sweltering again.
The school where Rebecca teaches was very different from anything we had seen in New Zealand. The school, Princess Margaret, is near their apartment in Horta, is a private institution from kindergarten to the equivalent of about our Intermediate at which she focuses on teaching English.Ted answered questions from students in one of Rebecca’s classes, 10 year olds, about geology and volcanoes. An exercise practicing English rather more than learning about Geology. Their English was excellent, particularly considering that for all of them it was at least their third ausgedehntuage and for many it was their fourth or fifth!Gaudi’s La Pedrera Casa Mila in Passage de Gracia; a gem of a building in Barcelona’s golden mile of classy shopping heaven.Al fresco dining in a street near Passage de Gracia; a bit too swanky for us!The Menu del Dia, set lunch menu, at Silvan changes every day and on the occasions we ate there the food was fresh and delicious.?That’s about NZ$ 21.00 for three curses and a drink; I opt for wine, but at Silvan I can’t? get through the bottle that’s included. Then there’s always desert, in this case particularly nice ice cream. Note the pattern on the paving, depicting a symbol found throughout Barcelona.
We browsed the clothes shops along Passage de Gracia and around, to extend our wardrobe and entertain ourselves. As you may imagine from these photographs this could be an overwhelming experience.
Primark, where I brought a perfectly good tee shirt for NZ$ 4.00, if it was any cheaper it would be free! So, coming to Spain you don’t have to pack too many clothes, just a few more Euros. At these sort of prices for many clothing has become a consumable rather than a durableThe sales floors in H&M are a hall of mirrors, i guess so that you can’t find your way out until you’ve? no money left. So many clothes driving cheap, fast fashion; wear it today throw it away tomorrow!Lost and disoriented in H&M, it’s scary that people come here for pleasure.Mango is my preferred haberdasher, style with quality, but you have to realise that quality cost money and there it’s worth it.Some of us couldn’t stand the pace of even window shopping; talk about “Shop till you drop”.The fan in this window display in Horta doesn’t seem designed to encourage patronage! Apparently the locals are rather fond of such rude displays.? Several streets near our hotel in Eixample were closed off to celebrate the Barrio’s foundation. The atmosphere was festive with numerous stalls and street entertainers.Giants in attendance at the celebrations, the strange heads depict various styles of Gaudi, much of whose work is in the Barrio.Many of the stall holders and local residents celebrate the show by dressing in period costume. this lot in a local cafe suggested I’d like to shout beers all around for the privilege of photographing them, at which I beat a hasty retreat!Pizza for dinner after strolling around the Barrio celebrations. Rebecca ate most of it! Ted had to polish off the three complementary shots of Limoncello, it wasn’t difficult.A house we fancy around the corner from Rebecca and Phil’s apartment.Sagrada Familia again: outside, the design despite being impressive, appears purposeless a mass of confusion.Despite the exterior confusion, inside the height and light are sublime!Everywhere you look it’s magnificent.Two guys striding across the park, one a macho short guy, the other slightly stooped!Trying out the slide; I don’t need anyone holding my hand, the short guy says.What’s this? A desert? Where’s the old geyser gone?Rebecca and Phil’s new apartment is on the top floor of this building in Maragall. It’s the top four windows on the right and up nine flights the tenants will certainly save on gym fees!Forget about your passport, you can’t board your flight home without this travel pass. It’s not easy to get with several tests of patience along the way, the RAT test’s the least of your worries.A family portrait at last and Oskar is finally looking at the camera.
I enjoyed the latest travel notes and photos. Dad’s talk to Rebecca’s students reminded me of Sophia doing the same thing with her cousin Emily’s class in Zoeterwoede. Also, primark or primani as Gina B calls it. We stocked up on winter woollies there, for a fraction of the price you’d pay here. Just as well too, as we spent a fair bit of time at it below zero. Love to bex, Oskar and Phil.best wishes for safe travels home xxx
Chris and Ted's Travel Notes 
I enjoyed the latest travel notes and photos. Dad’s talk to Rebecca’s students reminded me of Sophia doing the same thing with her cousin Emily’s class in Zoeterwoede. Also, primark or primani as Gina B calls it. We stocked up on winter woollies there, for a fraction of the price you’d pay here. Just as well too, as we spent a fair bit of time at it below zero. Love to bex, Oskar and Phil.best wishes for safe travels home xxx