We woke up and checked out of our Beziers apartment thinking we had a 5 hour ride ahead of us. But it turns out Girona is only 2 1/2 hours South. That's the kind of surprises we like. Very foggy day and my GPS takes us through the countryside instead of the Expressway. Well at least for a while. Eventually we are on the Expressway and get to our hotel in Girona by 1:00 PM. We check in and then head to the old town for lunch.
Now here is where it gets fun. No one wants to lead. One person is map challenged, One person doesn't like to lead and one person has just driven for 2 1/2 hours. So I take the city map the concierge has given us, and start walking towards the Old Town. Thirty steps later I hear in unison, "I don't think that is the right way". I allow my companions to lead the rest of the day. Thank You Jesus.
Girona is a nice old Spanish city with back alleyways and small streets in abundance. It also has a Romblas much like the famous one in Barcelona. And that is where we head to eat, on the other side of the river that runs through Girona. The weather here is still nice enough to dine al fresco. Nice restaurant, But I order wrong and have octopus with a sauce that overpowers it's delicate taste. I will try again in Valencia, our next stop. I do manage to get down two large glasses of Sangria, so all is right with the world. Time for some pictures.
Our apartment in Beziers.
A street in Girona.
Girona's Romblas.
A Gaudi style building across from where we ate.
Mary Ann picking out Pig's Jowls to eat. Delicious.
More of Girona's buildings.
The ladies walking the street.
After Lunch we decide to walk the old town area. And guess what, There is a Cathedral there which we just have to go and see. Only 5 Euros each to see both the Baptistery and the Cathedral.
Outside the Baptistery.
Inside.
Also inside.
School girls come to see the church. (And get out of school)
Stairs that someone said inspired Jim Morrison to write "Stairway to Heaven"
Cafe where someone said Jim Morrison was sitting at when he was inspired.
Inside the Cathedral.
Impossible to calculate the number of South American Indians who died in order to make this alter.
View from the Cathedral's bathrooms.
After exploring the Cathedral.
Why I don't join any tourist groups. Tour guide said this arch was something important so everyone took a picture.
Boy scouts on their way to the Cathedral where the school girls are. What could go wrong?
Another Girona street scene.
It is said that if you kiss this lion's statue's Ass you will come back to Girona. I prefer throwing coins in a fountain.
We went back to the hotel to rest, but they threw us a parade so we couldn't rest.
People dancing with sticks. And making music.
Normal sized figures dancing.
The royal Procession.
A bit taller.
Even Scaramouch gets into the act.
View from our hotel window.
Fireworks to celebrate our arrival.
So we walk to the Rombellas to eat and what should appear but a full scale street party, Girona style.
Over sized heroes as puppets.
People watch from balcony's.
Bulls/Dragons are here too.
This one is controlled by children inside.
How they do dance.
At the Plaza having Tapas with everyone else in town.
So here it is 11:00 Pm on a Friday and everyone including their children are out walking and heading home after eating. I know of no other country where people eat so late. Not snacks, but their Dinner. And it is so nice to see everyone out walking at that time of night. But then again this is just some tourist talking.
Now tomorrow calls for rain, so we shall see what we do in the rain in Spain that falls mainly on the Plain.
I think I've got it.
And also, my direction would have taken us where we wanted to go.
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