Elinor in Paris

Ellie slept late after a late night with her friends to celebrate graduation. Phil and I had our last coffee from the coffee bar under our Airbnb. We got some delicious sandwiches from the bar to eat in the airport. We packed up and said goodbye to our great Airbnb host. Ellie took us to the bus and we said goodbye for her last month in Barcelona. The rest of the day was travel...8 hours to Philly, 5 hour wait and 2 hours to Charlotte. The only fast thing was Global Entry, but when you have to wait for bags, it does not save much time. Ellie sent us this:

Ellie got up early to go help out with her friends from school who were setting up for graduation. Phil and I went to do some more sightseeing, starting with the Jewish quarter, El Call. The Jews were kicked out in 1492, so it has been a long time, and not much remains. We happened on an inscription on our way to the old synagogue. The old synagogue was toney, and built in a time when the street level was lower, so now it is an underground synagogue. From there we wound our way around the old city to the historical museum. It was a very cool museum with miles of underground excavated ruins underneath. This was the only photo I took as I was browsing with Ellie. They had some nice videos about food, including one that contrasted the chocolate recipe of the new world (water, cocoa, chili powder, honey, and vanilla) and the old world (milk, cocoa, cinnamon, ginger and sugar). We saw this street art: Maybe ...

Today was Gaudi day! Ellie slept in Mataro so we got up and out early for an organized tour. We booked a last minute walking tour focused on history and architecture.  We started in the Gothic quarter This is where the old Roman gates were. The cathedral with its 19th century Gothic facade over the old 13th century Church. unicorn gargoyle  a weird person gargoyle. We went through the old Jewish quarter, El Call, and saw an old synagogue door with a cut out for a mezuzah. And then on to several Gaudi buildings. Even the under sides of the balconies were decorated, so looking up from the street was rewarded!  We ended at the Casa Mila, and met Ellie, had lunch, and took a tour of the inside. It was amazing! ...