Barcelona, a stroll in the Old City, a Tapas Bar, staying safe & shopping in Spain

We rewind the clock to three days ago to our second day in Barcelona. One of the advantages in staying longer in one place, is that you don't have to rush around trying to fit in all the attractions of a new city. You have the chance to stroll around, savouring all the sights, sounds, and tastes of a place. Which brings us to a Tapas bar near our apartment. Quimet & Quimet located on the Carrer del Poeta Cabanyes  is critically acclaimed as one of the best Tapas bars in Barcelona. Lined floor to ceiling with wines and spirits from around the world, we were lucky to obtain a table before the place filled up. Tapas bars have become popular in the Western World, however this is the authentic cuisine. I think it really is just a chance to have some snacks and a drink or 'to get your swerve on' before having a big lunch at 2pm, and then a sleep in the afternoon. You can't say the Spanish don't know how to live.

Suitably refreshed we stroll down to the Old City, which is clustered around the Port of Barcelona. My initial impressions, and from looking out my window is that Barcelona consists of six story apartment buildings with narrow streets. So, nearly everyone, except the very rich, live in apartments, and walk or catch public transport or zip around on those little European scooters. As a result people live on the streets, with an abundance of cafes, and small restaurants. This 'European lifestyle' is catching on in Australia, and is certainly an attractive alternative, and probably more sustainable way of living than the car dependent urban sprawl of most of our cities.

The La Rambla is the broad main street that runs from the harbour, and is busy with slow walking tourists. Therefore it is here that you probably have to be the most careful of 'pickpockets'. You may of heard of someone who has had something stolen in Spain, but there's a few things that you can do to keep your belongings safe. I recommend that you keep your wallet in a front pocket, when it gets crowded, it's easy just to put a hand in your pocket covering it. In the other pocket you keep the small amount of cash to pay for things you will buy that day, without having to take out your wallet. Leave half your cards, your passport, plus half your cash in the hotel safe or in your room. The expensive SLR camera should be your backpack or better yet a satchel type bag, until you are ready to take the shot. Don't walk around with a map in your hand looking lost. Walk with a purpose, memorise the route that you want to take, and if you need to check the map get off the street to do it in a cafe or something. Try not to look like a complete tourist or a 'target' in other words, by trying to dress more like a local. Nobody wears bright colours, or I love Barcelona (insert city here) T shirts. Vans shoes or better yet Allstars boots and European style sneakers are worn by young people as skateboarding is popular in Barcelona, but not what we call Joggers or Sneakers. Having said all that, I don't feel unsafe at all, and at the end of the day I have Travel Insurance, so I can replace my stuff. Remember that's all it is, just stuff.

The Boqueria Market off La Rambla is a good place for shopping, and a place to eat. Of course, on the La Rambla you will also find fast food restaurants like McDonalds, Burger King, and KFC. Even in a tourist area you have to remember that there are still good, cheap places to eat, because the workers have to eat too. Tucked away at the back of the market is a good cafe where you can have an Expresso (coffee) for 1 1/2 Euro or $2, which got me thinking why we often pay $4 in Sydney.

I like grocery shopping in the different supermarkets around the world, noting the different products, the products that are universal, and because it is cheaper to buy your own food. Generally, I make my own breakfast, bring Muesli bars or health bars, and a bottle of water in my daypack. Buying your own food, means that you are not forced to buy the over priced tourist food on the road. The groceries are relatively cheap in Spain, and good quality cheese, salami, olives, tinned fish, and other products are available that are very expensive in shops in Sydney. However, I would recommend buying fresh food and vegetables from the markets, which I think is what most people do.

With our cheap dinner bought at the supermarket, we head off to our roof top patio to eat. This is the type of food I'm talking about; salami, cheese on little crispbreads, and olives.

Further information:

Tapas -  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tapas

The Boqueria Market - http://www.boqueria.info/index.php?lang=en

Stay safe - keep wallet in front pocket, camera in bag until ready to take photograph, leave 1/2 cards, cash and passport back where you are staying.

Back up photographs onto a USB if you can or other storage device. That way if you lose the camera, you won't lose all those photos you took.

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