Start your day with Gaudi and end it with a Speakeasy!

La Segrada Familia was first on our list for our next day in Barcelona.  We took the Metro out to it and took pictures of it outside, but were shocked to find that the next tickets available were not until 5:30pm.  We asked if we could just pray or go to a Mass, but were told that we couldn't.  Later a priest told us that they are never permitted to refuse people the right to worship in a Catholic church, but we didn't push it at the time and just decided to leave.

It was definitely an interesting building with snails, geckos, and various things carved into the side like they were climbing up the church.  I did like the Nativity scene in the front grotto.

Then we went to look at a few of Gaudi's other buildings.

We went into a famous market street right about lunchtime and got some fresh squeezed juices and some snacks.

Then we went to get the kids McDonalds and we all chose a tapas restaurant in a square where the kids could play and we could sit and eat.  There were a few street performers, singers and dancers, that came through while we relaxed. 

After our late lunch, we stopped by the Christopher Columbus Statue and then took the Metro to the beach. The kids got ice cream and played on the busy, busy beach for a little while.  The kids all voted to have doner kebabs again.  Brian and I went to the Picasso museum, dinner, and a Speakeasy without the kids.

In the Picasso Museum, Brian was really trying to let me enjoy it even though it isn't his "cup of tea."  However, I couldn't help but laugh at some of his unrestrained comments.  "Do you think he got a brain tumor in his old age?"  was my favorite.  It is remarkable how much his style changed over the years.

Outside of the Picasso Museum

We tried the Speakeasy earlier this time, because the night before the line was really long outside.  If you go early, there's no line.  We walked right into this Pastrami Bar and went through that "freezer door" into the secret Speakeasy.  Our drinks were amazing, and the presentation was extremely original.  Brian met an American doctor and we chatted with him for a good while before moving on to the tapas bar.

Outside the Speakeasy

Inside the Speakeasy

The tapas place was raved about online and it was worth the 15 minute wait.  Brian met yet another American doctor, and when my husband proceeded to tell how him that he was an introvert and chose Pathology to avoid people, he looked at me and said, "Yeah, he seems like a real introvert."  I keep telling him that he's not, but he won't listen.

Bruschetta, toasted bread with tomato rubbed on it

Wasabi Mushroom Salad

Crispy Eggplant

Pork Tacos with Cracklins

We had to leave the next morning and we decided to drive straight home, despite the 12 hour drive.  Before leaving we hit the playground right outside our place one more time.  I let the kids play everyday when we came back to the apartment.  They really enjoyed it, at least the younger ones did, after being cultured and tortured all day.

Adios, Barcelona!  I hope we meet again someday!

Museums shouldn't be so high!

Our first stop on the first full day in Barcelona was Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar, and we were pleasantly surprised to find a daily Mass starting in one of the side chapels shortly after we arrived.  It was a perfect way to begin our day together as a family.  The church was beautiful and the little boys loved the courtyard with a protected duck pond in it.  I bought a unique silver scapular (which I know is not like the real deal but I liked it) and Drew found a smaller brown scapular that he wanted to buy.  Unfortunately, it broke within the hour and now is awaiting Mommy's sewing skills to sew it back together and reinforce it.  

Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar

Duck Pond in Courtyard

After leaving the church, we passed a taco place that sounded delicious, so we stopped to eat there.  It was similar in style to a Chipotle, but very different flavors.  Then we hit the metro and rode over to the Museu Nacional d'Art Catalunya.  It was beautiful looking up at it when we came out of the metro, but it was a lot of stairs to get up there.  We were almost at the top when we came to a spot with a cafe.  We were all so hot and thirsty by then that we sat and had water, and Brian and I had a Sangria.

Exhausted at the top!

Brian commented that there is just something about museums that makes you tired, but I think this one takes the cake since we entered exhausted, hot, and sweaty.  We looked at the Medieval art section first, followed by a trip to the rooftop (as if we hadn't gone high enough,) skipped the modern art, and skimmed the altarpieces section. 

Hannah liked this painting of the Nativity.

On the Roof

By the time we came back down they had turned on the waterfall and the fountains.

See how amazing the view of it is from the bottom!

That night we got the kids doner kebabs and Brian and I were back out for tapas and a real dinner to follow.  Too. Much. Food.  Brian got Paella and I got traditional local dish that was similar to the Italian manicotti.