We began our day with coffee and croissants, which is not all that uncommon. Then it was off to the Palau de la Música which included an audio tour. Turns out they are fixing some things on the exterior, so we really couldn’t get a good shot of that, but after we did the inside we walked around and I found at least a little spot where I could attempt an outside building shot. It’s not great, but better than nothing. In addition we missed out on a few things they audio tour talked about. I’d have thought they’d warn people about this when purchasing tickets online, but it wasn’t a huge deal, so I won’t grump too much. But what a fabulous place! SO much to photograph, but as always I won’t post everything here. There were people on the stage and they occasionally were doing work with lights and color. I don’t know what that was about … sadly there are no concerts while we are here, so I don’t believe it was for any performance. At certain times the organ would play (I’m going to guess it’s a recording), and I must say that was quite fun for several reasons. First, I just love to hear a good organ, but secondly (and rather important), I’ve been having distortion in my left ear, but when the music was playing I didn’t have it at ALL. I’m so glad that was the case!

After the concert hall we had a light lunch. Again it took us a while to decide on a spot. We will never change, I guess! Then it was off to the hospital.

Worried yet?

Well … okay … it was a hospital, but it’s not any longer. We opted to visit it as well because the same architect that designed the Palau de la Música, Lluís Domènech I Montaner, did the hospital as well.

First we had to figure out the Metro, though. So far we’d only walked everywhere in Barcelona, but the two mile walk didn’t appeal to us considering the horribly humid day. Seemed easy enough to get our tickets, and got on the first train. Then, stupid me, I managed to read things wrong and we exited the subway. Well, our tickets were good for two hours so surely we could just go back to catch the second train, right? NO. Because I did something with my ticket on the way out — tagging it or something — and it wouldn’t work then. But Dan’s didn’t either, so maybe it was something else that was a problem. In any case, those tickets were useless. We bought new ones, but getting smart we bought the 48 hour card that will also get us to the airport on Wednesday when we leave Spain for … well, I’m not telling yet!

We arrived at the former hospital, now called Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site, at least according to my tickets. I sure wish we had hospitals that were as whimsical and creative as the one was. Sadly much of it is now in disrepair, but there were workers there, and I think they are attempting to restore and repair it. But what a place!

From there we took the trains back to our hotel. We needed a rest and we definitely wanted the A/C.

Finally it was dinner time. Our plan was to go to the Mercado and have tapas there. Turns out the market closes at 8:30. And we were trying so hard to be like the locals and eat late. Heh. Never mind the market. We walked around and finally found a nice spot called Tosca Palau. It was a bit of a fusion type place and it was lovely! No photos, though. I was too busy eating!

We are hoping to get brunch or whatever we will call it by the time we get out to the Mercado. Then it’s more Gaudi! Stay tuned! (Because not being tuned is kind of crummy.)