Every street in Barcelona is decked out in fancy clubs/bars, alleys fitted with bakeries and pizzerias, and every now and then a sweet shop. For me, my hot spot has been Las Ramblas. Located right across the plaza from my school, it makes for the perfect lunch spot. Being on crutches doesn't let me get very far so it's nice to have so many options so close. I've only covered the first two alleys closest to the beginning of the street and so far have found amazing food.
My first encounter was with a bakery right on the corner of the street. It was a small spanish-style baker loaded with breads and pastries in the window and immediately drew me in. The sweet smell of soft fluffy bread lured me in and once my eyes caught sight of the sandwiches and sweets, I instantly became their favorite customer. I soon found out though that all the bakeries were dressed this way with stained wood counters and spanish styled tiles, but at the moment my mobility is limited so I stick with what's close.
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| Bakery Counter |
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| Corner of Las Ramblas |
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| Sandwiches Galore! |
The other day I had asked my madre what the spanish term for crutching or hopping was and learned they call it "grampa" here. It's pronounced differently then the American word "grandpa" but sounds very similar and I can't help but feel it a bit ironic that i'm "grampa-ing" around on crutches. What's more is the actual grandpas here all like the closer bakeries too and when I pile that on to several days of people rushing to help me cross a street or go downstairs I start to feel like a "grampa" myself.
Another succulent place to find a meal is La Boqueria. This too is along Las Ramblas and has the freshest fruit anyone could hope for. Those of you from Washington, think of Pike Place Market, subtract the hippie art and clothing booths, then double the food options and you've got La Boqueria. Here there are stands upon stands of fresh fruit, chocolate, meat cuts, fish cuts, bakeries, nuts, any food you can think of and it's there. I "grampa-ed" over there with my roommate one day before classes and was blown away.
Shortly after sitting down to eat we were kicked out by the restaurant police for sitting at a Dunkin' Coffee (Dunkin' Donuts) when we weren't their customers. Whoops.
The last hot spot for "grampas" like me is the Corte de Inglés. This is a super mall that seems to be all over the city. So far I've counted three on the bus ride to school, and our bus ride is only 15 minutes. The Cortes has literally everything you could possibly need, including food and has been my roommate and I's favorite shop. I went there the first day to buy a soft new towel to replace the carpet towel I had been given and ever since then have visited almost every day. It is directly across the street from school and has all the snacks, appliances and necessities of life, making it numero UNO on my list. My madre doesn't approve of the Cortes because she's old school and likes the tiny super markets instead but that's what makes me American. It also helps that there is less grampa-ing to get there.
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| The Corte Inglés |
Between the Cortes and Las Ramblas any and all hunger pains in my stomach are filled. I feel so spoiled to have such a variety of food to choose from and have it be so close that I can go in between classes. This luxury has become such a casual thing to me.
I've managed to find amazing bocadillo shops (sandwiches) and even greek restaurants with falafels to die for. It's only a bonus that I can enjoy it all on the beautiful street of Las Ramblas. With it only being a week into my trip, I can't imagine how much better the food gets further down the strip. It wont be long now before I'm a fat grampa.
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