Last day

Today is our last day in Barcelona...our last day of vacation. :(

I titled one of the previous posts "Shop, Shop, Shop, Spend, Spend, Spend" well that was a bit premature. Today, I think, I spent the most money the whole trip.

Most of the stores are closed on Sundays but, on weekends at the end of Las Ramblas they have artisans who set up temporary shop and sell jewelry, art, bags, etc. If you've ever been to the French Market in New Orleans, or to any crafts fair in New Jersey you're are probably familiar with who these are set up. Man, I bought jewelry, and gifts, and art...It was prime shopping.

Then we sat down for a couple of drinks. Then we relaxed at the apartment a little and then Gus and I walked down Las Ramblas again to the waterfront and walked along the marina. At the marina was a mini-mall, which was open. I didn't end up getting any boots on this trip, but I did at least buy a shirt and a belt.

Since then we've been at the apartment trying to eat the food that we have left over and reading the graphic novels I bought in Paris. Niether of them are available in the US but both of them are really good. One is called Miss Pas Touche and the other is Les Nombrils.

Some stats from today...

Steps walked according to my pedometer 11546 (forgot to take it on the night walk)

Number of pages I'm already into "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest" 289 (which by the way in both Spanish and French the title is "The Queen in the Palace of the Wind" or something like that)

Number of beers drunk 2.5

Number of restaurants we stopped at tonight to try and get sangria but couldn't get any because none of them took credit cards (some only if you were getting food) 4

Some concluding remarks and observations...

• This has been a great trip!
• Don't listen to people who say Europeans don't like Americans. We've had no problems.
• Doing this blog has been fun and I hope that people enjoyed it.
• Thanks to Gus for the use of his digital camera so I could have picture and video for the blog.
• Traveler's Checks are useless. Hardly anyone takes them anymore.
• Despite all my traveling, I still overpack.
• London has the cleanest, easiest to follow subways. Paris has the dirtiest.
• On this trip I tried duck, creme caramel dessert, and sangria.
• Bring an extra bag, or be prepared to go to the post office to mail back souvenirs.
• It helps to know a little bit of the language even though most times when you try people usually just start speaking to you in English.
• There is never enough time for everything. There is always something to come back for...
• Next time...
• London--See a musical or theatre production
• London--Take a day trip to Oxford or Brighton
• London--Try to catch a football match
• Paris--Visit the catacombs
• Paris--See a show at the Crazy Horse Saloon
• Barcelona--Go to a club and stay out till 3AM
• Barcelona--Parc Guell

This will probably be my last post as we have to get up painfully early tomorrow to get to the airport. Until next I can get away...

Ta-ta. Au revoir. Adios.