Un día en Barcelona

Wake up to a beautiful day outside my window. Only 27 degrees, but more humid than Madrid.

My host family, where I work as an au pair, have given me the day off.

A casual breakfast of cream cheese on toast.

I have the morning to myself, while my friend has to work.

I head out for a wander around and to buy some spray cans.

I go into a supermarket and buy a peach.
€0.30€0.30
Came in for a bottle of water, but decide not to carry it around.

Bit of graffiti about.

Inside the graffiti shop I talk to some foreigners who have been painting. One has been to New Zealand. They ask if I want to have all their leftover paint for €15€15. It’s paint for painting inside metro stations. I say no thanks so I can choose my own colours.

Six cans.
€19.50€19.50

I buy a 1.5 litre water from a small shop. I know it’s going to be more expensive than a supermarket.
€1€1

I am looking for a souvenir of the poo poo man – formerly known as “El Caganer” – Barcelona’s interesting and famous icon.

I find these, but decide to keep looking.

My friend can finish work early today around 2. It’s nearly 2pm now, so I catch the metro to meet her.
€1.02€1.02one ride of a 10 trip ticket.

We are meeting near Plaça d’Espanya, I’ve been to Barcelona a few times but never checked out this area.

My friend takes me to see the views from the top of the bull ring turned mall. We will have lunch and a drink after, and maybe an ice cream first.

The view from the top of the mall.

Pro Tip: go up the escalators through the shops. The lift up from the outside has a queue and costs money.

My friend makes a quick purchase, some new sandals, as her shoes have given her blisters.

We go to Tapa Tapa nearby and sit outside. But the lunch deal is only available indoors so we move inside.

For €9.85€9.85we each get 3 dishes and a small beer. So we choose different ones and share.

Stuffed we head home for a siesta.

We buy some water and beers from a supermarket before heading up.
Two 5 litre bottles.
€0.35€0.35each.
Some Moritz beers, a local brew.
€0.77€0.77per can.

Change of clothes and a shower. The plan is to check out a photo mural thing and head up the hills behind the city for the sunset and view.

On the way we drop into a store in search of Palas for tomorrow, (bats and a ball) a popular European beach activity. Success. €4.50€4.50

Here’s the mural thing. Each tile is a photo submitted by people of Barcelona.

We have beers packed in my bag already and catch the metro, then a train.
€1.02€1.02one ride of a 10 trip ticket.

It’s a steep walk up from the station. Many steps and then a steep path.

We walk along a bit and find a place to sit.

We enjoy a couple of beers and just sit and look out at the city.

Before we leave we take a wee, and leave a little something.
 
There are also many legal walls in Barcelona, bookable via wallspot.org

It’s now getting dark and cooling down. My Indian Lungi comes in handy again.

Back the way we came. We are first at the station, but others arrive before the train as if they know the time exactly.
€1.02€1.02one ride of a 10 trip ticket.

Back home we eat some chicken and tomato and cheese. Thanks Marina.

Third outfit and as many showers. Head out for the clubs.

First club. Gin and tonic.
€8.50€8.50
Seems to be full of foreigners.

Next club. Entry fee!
€12€12

Gin and tonic.
€10€10

Another gin and tonic.
€10€10

I recognise something blue on the floor. Find 5 pounds.
+£5£5

Yet another gin and tonic.
€10€10

Another gin and tonic?
€10€10

Total spent:  €84.66€84.66