All good things have a final day...........

We headed out earlier today for a chance to get an English speaking tour of the Palau de la Musica Catalanya. Completed in 1908 it is a stunning concert hall. Designed by a teacher of Gaudi's it continues the modernistic theme of nature. They did notallow cameras and these two pictures are off the web and just don't begin to capture the magnificence. There are stained glass windows on all sides and this stunning ceiling dominates the interior. It is 3 levels and holds over 2,000 patrons. The columns along the sides are all mosaics and designed to represent trees. The ceiling is covered in large ceramic red and white roses.
During the tour, they turn on the huge pipe organ and it is played via computers.....it was a thrill and privilege to listen to. Outside, the mosaic columns continue. There is no way to capture
this gorgeous place by camera.......Attending a concert would be on my list for our next visit.

After reluctantly leaving the beauty of that we walked to the nearby Gothic Quarter again and wandered through the Museum of the History of Barcelona. This area of the city was built on top of a Roman city and recent excavation has uncovered the well preserved walls and buildings. They have built see thru walkways over the ruins throughout the museum. No flash was allowed and I did not edit these like I should have.......
The above is the wine making area with large vats and chambers for processing the wine.

The mosaics and columns were quite amazing......it's just so hard to think that these are from over 2000 years ago and so well preserved.
Above the Roman ruins is this Gothic Chapel built in the 1400's and in the same square as the picture where Columbus returned. And yes Jeff, there were even more people waiting for him today.
We stopped for coffee and chocolate croissants ( so fresh and flaky and sinful) and then walked La Rambla again. Today there were "statues" present......
They stood stone still until a coin was placed in the box and then they would move to the delight of all the children. Don Quixote and his horse would rear up suddenly and the little kids would scream and run. Not sure how long they manage to stay in those positions before they need a bathroom break or a change of position. It was much more crowded on the streets today and many more children of all ages.

We find the Metro so efficient, spotless and easy to use so Paul took this brief video for you to share in the experience. There is an electronic sign giving the time to the next train and we have never waited more than 2 minutes.
We came back to the apt early afternoon to begin the packing and prepare to head home. It has been a great experience and we would come back here in a minute. We have not seen even half of what we expected to accomplish but also have not gone at a break neck pace.....we are old after all !!

We love to just walk the streets and narrow passages and take in the atmosphere. We have felt totally safe, we drink the water, eat the food and just wish we were better tourists and spoke some of the language. As much as I enjoy shopping, the carry-on bags do not allow for any extras. I did pick up a pair of earrings, a scarf and a coffee mug. I DID NOT buy gifts for any of you.!! We hope to make it all the way to Florida tomorrow if we make the right connections.