Barcelona!

Our flight left Fresno on time and we had our lunch @ LAX. Our next flight was delayed due to Air Force One taking off so we left about 30 minutes after the scheduled time. The Capt. said we would make up the time since it is a long flight, and we did. I can say I was impressed with KLM. Decent snacks, beverages, and meals. We also had a nice (disposable), warm hand towel before each meal time. A blanket that appeared clean and sanitized along with a pillow was given to each person. I did doze for about an hour, John watched his monitor the whole time. Since we flew on a 747 we each had a private screen for viewing movies and TV. There were video games and may other things to do with the hand held device as well. All this helps but spending 11+ hours in an airplane is never enjoyable. I should say not in economy anyway. At check in they offered an upgrade to “comfort economy” for $200 each. You get 4 extra inches, of course we did not do it. At least there was an empty seat by me in the middle section of the plane and John had the aisle.  The Amsterdam to Barcelona is a vague memory for me at the moment!  Being at the airport there is sort of like a tulip festival of its own!

Anyway…

We made it to Barcelona!  The sun was shinning when we arrived, which was a pleasant surprise after the rain in Amsterdam. It was a snap to get on the Aerobus and come directly to Plaça de Catalunya. (E$5,30 each) We called Dany right before our stop and he told us where to wait for him, and he arrived about 10 minutes later.  It was a brief walk to the flat along Las Ramblas, then a short side street and four floors up to our home for the next 8 nights. John’s standing to the outside door to our flat.  Walking here we went right by the ancient walls that we saw on the Rick Steves video but there was no time for a photo.  Dany walks like a RS guide even toting along my suitcase! Anyway, it is more than charming here and we love it already!  We unpacked everything we will need and went to a nearby market for our supplies. We hear the church bell ring every 15 minutes and right now I am listening to someone singing on a nearby plaza where someone was playing a harp earlier.  There is a warm, happy sound floating through the tiny balcony from the people strolling below.  Lots of choices for things to do tomorrow but it will be an early evening for us, I’m fading fast!