Day 31 More Gaudi

Yesterday I mentioned our close call with the pickpockets. I should have said that I was using trousers with a separate zipped pocket underneath the front pocket, for holding my wallet. While not absolutely secure, they certainly do make it more difficult for me to get my wallet out, so I imagine it does for them too. That's what it's about - making them look for an easier target. I can heartily recommend this feature of trousers.
 
After a good night's rest we set out re-invigorated to tackle the last several sights on our agenda - La Pedrera (Casa Milo) and Casa Batllo, both signature Gaudi houses in the L'Eixample part of the city. The first was included in our bulk admission ticket, but for the second we had to cough up €35.60 for two - a bit steep. L'Eixample features broad avenues and attractive buildings with lot of up-market shops - a very attractive place.

.La Pedrera was built as an apartment block, some of which still appears to be occupied. One of the large apartments was furnished in period pieces to show what it was like at the time (early 20th century). It's a striking building from the outside with wavy balconies and seaweed-like wrought iron decoration. It looks surprisingly modern. The functioning of the whole building was well thought out, but at the same time Gaudi devoted a lot of time to even the smallest detail, such as door knobs, laundries and attic space. The latter features elaborate vaulting using arches (name escapes me) of very thin ribs.

Casa Batllo was built as a family home for a wealthy industrialist and is even more fanciful. The style is indescribable so you must see the photos.
The roof on both buildings is a riot of shapes and colours, with the chimneys used as a sculpted architectural feature. 

After returning to our suburb, Barri Gotic, we did another amble down Las Ramblas and along Port Vell. On the way back to the hotel we found a large elaborate Post Office near the harbour and entered to buy some stamps. It was hard to figure out what to do, just like in Granada. Eventually we took a ticket and waited ten minutes to get to a counter, only to be told that stamps are sold at counter 19. On arriving at counter 19, we found that it was closed, and gave up in disgust. Apparently selling stamps in a post office is no longer a priority.

After a rest we went out to eat, and as usually spent a good deal of time trawling the eateries in our area looking for one that provided value and found one that was okay, and had a charming young waiter. We are still waiting to have a memorable culinary experience.
We had to reject a lot of cafes because a Bacelona-Inter football game was on the TV, which most of them have. They were queued out on the pavement at pubs, watching through the window. We are now back at base drinking our €3.99 red bought from the convenience store a few doors away.


We are still concerned about our flight to Madrid in the afternoon, but the signs seem to be good, except for the news item stating that Madrid will now be the new hub for overflow traffic to UK. Whatever happens, we'll just have to take it on the chin and roll with the punches.