ON THE WAVES OF MY MEMORY...
Unforgettable Catalonia!
Next holiday 2013. Long thought where to go: to Europe or to Asia. Europe is frightened by the crisis and strikes, but still won. And here we are in Barcelona airport. The first day (2 June). In Barcelona at 4:30 in the morning. At the hotel at 5:30. And check in 13:00. And no money (as in Egypt or Turkey), any requests will not help you to check in early. Luggage identified in a Luggage room, a good uncle is the care taker opened the bar, where the couches have been pokemart to 8:00. Breakfast 4,5 Euro per person, because in the price the hotel Serhs Maripins on the day of settlement it is not included. After Breakfast we get acquainted with the town. Malgrat de Mar has clean narrow streets, well-maintained 2-bedroom, 3-storey apartment houses mixed with hotels, on the balconies of many flowering plants in pots. On the first floor, as a rule, the shops or the garages of the residents.
At 10:00 slowly, lazily begin to open shops, cafes, etc. the Main shopping alley on the waterfront, on the way to the railway station. The sellers are not addictive, in Russian almost no one speaks, however, as in English, and Spanish. We are in Catalonia – therefore, all speak Catalan, which is far from Spanish, more like the French. Rest: the Italians, the French, the Germans, the 4th place are Russian.
At 13:00 in the lobby of 40 people eager to move in. As the arrival of tourists, has issued a coupon with a serial number. My daughter was under number 2, the second gave us the room key and information sheet to the restaurant. At 13:05 we were in a room on the 7th floor with views of the mountains. Room had air conditioner (which we never turned on), in-room safe (fee: 20 Euro for 7 days + 10 Euro Deposit). TV under the ceiling (not very useful), but if you consider the fact that we are in the room at night and, as a rule, do not watch telly and listen to the music channel – it's being not bothered. In the bathroom Hairdryer, shower gel, soap, 6 towels. On the balcony table, ashtray, 2 chairs.
After settling unpack suitcases in the shower and on the beach. There it was: a cold wind from the sea permeates the water in the sea ice. In the supine position stand 1 hour (this time was enough to get some sun) and back to the hotel. Since he is a 2-minute walk from the beach. The remaining time was devoted to further explore the area. Night flights, a time lag of 4 hours, the check in 7.5 hours after arrival did the trick and at 22:00 we're in bed.
The second day (June 3)
Cloudy morning, rain clouds. In Sunny Spain, very cool. 9:00 meeting with the hotel guide Pegasus. The impression the unpleasant. As it turned out later – a premonition did not deceive us, but more on that later. Knowing that about the beach today, you can forget – go to the railway station and go to Barcelona. When you want to find a railway station, or ask Renfe Estacion de tren. A ticket from Malgrat to Barcelona 4.3 euros. If you buy a round – trip is cheaper. And still more profitable to buy a card for 10 trips – EUR 30.4. If the two of You: the first card goes through the turnstile and transmits it to the second (hence 2 trips you have already used). The first time we were together simultaneously (unknowingly), because the turnstile is open for quite a long time, i.e. used only one trip for two. But I warn you that if the train is control – a fine of 25 euros for ticketless travel. However, the controller in the direction of Barcelona and back we have never seen. To Barcelona to go without problems, but the back look at the name of trains very carefully, because on the same path with the difference in 15-20 seconds trains come in completely different directions. From Barca in Barcelona are trains called Blanes and Maçanet-Massanes. At the station Pl.Catalunia in the window where they sell tickets for trains, can request a booklet with the schedule – give free.
And so, Barcelona. As I said – the day was not hot, which was a big plus for walking around the city. Route standard: the Catalunya Square, La Rambla, the Boqueria market (but Sunday it is closed), the Gothic quarter, the Jewish quarter (near the Church of Santa Maria Del PI in the street cafes delicious coffee with pastries), Boulevard Gracia.
All these chic places are already described many times, I will not repeat, I will say one thing – impressive. The second half of the day dedicated to the Park güell (another gaudí creation of genius). Went from PL. Catalunya by bus. Entrance to the Park is free. And what of his views on Barca!!!
The day flew by. One drawback – Sunday – all offices closed – are unable to buy a phone card. Plus all the shops are closed, and we are not distracted by Hiking on them. Back to the hotel guide Pegasus Catherine. The morning of the second day at the women flying with us on the plane and settled in our hotel broke off the shoulder bag in which all the money, Bank card, phone and passport. It happened in the old part of Malgrat, where she and her daughter were walking. A nice-looking man from the back spilled something on the shoulder, on which hung the bag, and gestures showing that it was made by the bird, and began to help to scrub the dirt. Of course, removed the bag from his shoulder, and then saw him. Passers-by, local residents called the police, which is neither in English nor in Russian neither A nor B. In a police station with grief in half, and using an outside tour guide made the report and said that she needs to go to the Consulate in Barcelona. Our guide Catherine, which is called later from the hotel, got pissed off of the situation, be rude to the injured woman, and saying it's your problem hung up. After all, the same stranger guide (also from Pegasus, but in charge of another hotel), told her a couple of gentle, it is still called the guide, pulling to Barcelona tour and agreed that the victims were taken away and on the way back from Barcelona. My daughter, after learning about this situation, loaned victims money. The husband of the victim sent in my name a money transfer through Western Union, e-mail the hotel Passepartout copies and scanned photo and girls, Secretary-General forwarded to the Consulate. As a result, in one day victims issued a temporary license. Compassionate and Russian, as well as a waiting reception at the Consulate, but living in Spain and was given 40 euros. Conclusion: don't put all your eggs in one basket, and best kept in the safe, even if it is paid. Memorize phone numbers of loved ones that could Get from Russia to help. And keep copies at home Passepartout.
Day three (4 June).
Again gloomy morning. Decided to go to the Mutara Park for shopping. A ticket Barcelona – Mutara – mainly for 4.5 euros. In Mutara from the railway station to the shopping centre by bus No. 1, 4, or 5 about 15-20 minutes before stopping the hospital. Shopping was a success – worthy things brands at prices lower than in Russia 2 dresses bought at a discount in 50%, 1 dress with 30% discount. The only thing in Benetton prices are higher than in Perm. Benetton is the only store in which the collection is almost the same as in Perm. Other brands (Mango, Stradivarius, Promod, Massimo duty, etc.) – completely different things. The impression is that Russia is sew the Chinese in some Moscow basement.
The fourth day (June 5) Hooray! In the sky no clouds. Breakfast and the beach. Surprise – icy wind from the sea and ice water. An hour and a half we bravely tan. Go to your room, throw mats, and the path has not traversed routes in Santo Sussano. Came up with the idea: why not drop over to the shop? – I have long wanted to do the carving. But hairdressers also speak only Catalan. Rescued Julia from the tourist information centre of the company Natalie tours. Called to the Barber shop in which she served, explained to the Barber (aka the mistress), who's coming and what she needs to do. After 1 hour I went from an ordinary hairdresser (we are likened to a steep salons) hair on the head, without the characteristic chemical smell and it cost me with the packing 32 Euro. Santa Susana, of course steeper Malgrat in terms of hotels and nightlife, but a clear territorial boundaries between the towns are not. In those days there was a cool gathering of bikers and touring a circus tent. Ie look at what it was.
In the evening sunbathed and swam in the pool.
Cramped, sure, but there's not a bad terrace where you can sunbathe. After dinner, shopping and entertainment in the hotel is a concert of Spanish dance.
The next day, HURRAY!!! The sky is blue, no wind, Breakfast, beach. The beaches in Spain, of course, wide and sandy, but the sand is the impression that granite chips. Layer of imported and very thick. Go and fail the "knee". I feel that after the Indian beaches I no the beaches are not like. But the sea is still icy. Having been on shore an hour and a half we go for a swim in the pool. In the second half of the day at the station and in Girona. Round – trip ticket with a stopover in Masanet-Mossanite 8.6 euros. In Girona exit from the station (exit to the right of the escalator) and if you turn right, after 1 km you will get in the shopping center El Corte Ingles (there carry excursions for shopping), and if you go left – you will end up in the old historical part of the city. Over the river Onyar (separates old and new town) several bridges that offer great views of the colorful houses of the 17th century and the main Cathedral of the 14th century.
After lunch with friends daughter went to Barcelona to see the singing fountains and visit a couple of night clubs. I went to explore the area. In the centre of the old town the Cathedral of St. Nicholas, the patron Saint of the city.
To get inside failed. On the hill next to the Park, climb on the funicular. The whole city from the observation deck at a glance.
On the following day.A day dedicated to sunbathing and swimming (in the pool of course). In the evening we go to look for a second Park. Was near the first. Park for walks with children, but we had fun as children. Before simple and touching buildings.
And again in Barcelona. Stores. From PL.Catalonia which street you go shopping everywhere. Prices in chain stores are the same, but repeating things, like in Dawn, a little collection of different. Large selection of wines in the store El Corte Ingles, two steps away from the subway on the train. After purchasing another batch of this stuff, go on the subway to the Sagrada Familia. Walk around the Cathedral and inside can be long. Beautiful!!! Gaudi was a genius.
Next by metro to the waterfront. The waterfront is not very long. All walked, taking pictures from unusual structures, ships and yachts. The beach is nice fine sand and the bottom ends abruptly.
A lot of cafes and no stalls, shops and hawkers (that pleased).
In the night there was a thunderstorm. After Breakfast walked along the waterfront and at 10:30 with the Pegasus at the airport. Departure at 15:30, but the Spaniards leisurely. Please note that Barcelona airport is not accepted to inform on what the front Desk check-in, gate in which the gate and how much layover. Here we are a friendly team of 180 people shied away at the airport when check-in was supposed to end, but it hasn't started yet. When we asked one of the airport employees (since he spoke English), then in response, he heard the rebuke from the accident that he owes nothing to explain, see it on the scoreboard (the little information box in the corner). On the scoreboard froze time (which is long gone), the flight number and destination. In the end we took off with a delay of 1 hour, but in Perm arrived on schedule. Thanks Orenburg airlines. Conclusion: In the first half of June in mainland Europe tourism tour more than the beach because the weather is changeable and the sea is cold. And to travel to interesting places and cities. And if You prefer to move around the country, it is better to stay at Barcelona or not more Callely or Mutara tickets on the train cheaper and more trains).
I wish You a wonderful travel!!!