Land & Sea - Live from Barcelona & the Oosterdam Transatlantic - November 5th, 2022

[bennybear]

14 minutes ago, kazu said:

I’m going to take a minute to talk about my hotel.

 

I’m staying at Casa Camper - which is at the top of Raval on a little side street.  About 3 minute to Las Ramblas, 5 minutes to La Boqueria and 5 to Playa Catalunya to put it in perspective.

I took a couple of pics after I arrived but obviously now, pics are trickier and my room is a mess as it’s set up with the phone on the king bed in case I need it, stuff by the bed and on the couch in easy reach. LOL.

 

I like to stay in boutique hotels and this one is - very different - old building but completely modernized.  Not what you would expect in Barcelona.  Roof top terrace is nice - no pool but a heavenly rain shower (at least that’s what everyone says)

 

 

I think I already mentioned the free food and drinks but there is much more to this place since I have been holed up here since the accident.

 

I have never been in a wheel chair other than when someone pushed me out of the hospital once.  No idea how to use one.  When I got back from the clinic the first thing they said is call us.  Call us 24/7.  We can let you out of your room and take you wherever you want to go here. (One of the rooftop views)

 

the first morning I had to and they wheeled me down to breakfast (which, by the way is very good - these cooks KNOW how to cook eggs 👍 )

 

then my BIL taught me some stuff and they gave me a doorstop to keep the door open to get out and in.  I’m past that now and have returned it. (From one of my balconies)

 

It’s tricky but I can do it.  Jose would be proud.  But, one thing I look for in any hotel is service and boy do they have it here.

I couldn’t find something yesterday ( I did have it I found out this morning but I need it daily so the extra package will just go back with me). I just can’t see to the back of my counter in the bathroom in the chair.  They went to get it for me.

 

They wheel me up to the terrace (roof top) every morning where I like to have my first coffee before breakfast.  I can get there but not with coffee easily LOL.  They already know, training someone new and gave him instructions when he sees me what to do.  OMG/

When they see me wheel out of the elevator they swoop down and grab my chair and push me and ask what they can do for me.

I have tried to pay / tip and I have been refused - over and over.  They made another run for me today.  OMG.

One of them saw me rub my hands (they are getting sore) and immediately asked if they were sore.  I said yes and he said then just call us.  We are here to serve you.  I told him I was imposing and he said no, that’s why there are so many of us - to take care of you.

 

The service is amazing and I have to say - if I had to be disabled and stuck any where this was sure the place.

The 2nd night I went to get into my wheel chair and it moved and I fell.  The ice and water (for my foot) went everywhere.  I tried to pick up and realized it was a lost effort.  Called down apologizing and Cayetano was up in a flash.  Very upset.  He said let me clean first, asked if I was ok and asked permission to re-enter in 2 minutes.  Came back with tools and said the wheel chair wasn’t safe and he was going to try to fix it.  And he did.!

Told me to listen for this noise and if I didn’t hear it, not to try to use it, call them and they would help.

 

These people have been so fantastic to me.  It’s unbelievable.  

 

Besalu will be next.

 

 

 

 

You have brought tears to your eyes!  What wonderful people!  Sending hugs and hope you heal quickly! 

[SJSULIBRARIAN]

What a great hotel staff. Let them take care of you.

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

Jacqui, I'm so glad you picked the hotel you did.  You are getting such wonderful care and TLC.  Your story restored my faith in people who go beyond the expected if given a chance.

[aliaschief]

I’m enjoying your trip blog but do hate to hear that your yet facing another issue with your foot injury. Prayers for quick healing.

Bruce

[kazu]

made the “ultimate” sacrifice tonight.  My sweet sister Jan & BIL came and Roman pushed me to a restaurant.  The hotel staff cheered LOL.

 

We went out for dinner - real food to the same tapas place I have reserved for our roll call get together.
 

OMG - so good.

 

The asparagus tempura was cooked to perfection.

 

 

Not to crispy - not to mushy.  Perfect.  Croquettes so wonderful

 

Waiter reminded us to put away our phones (we were outside - there are 2 big steps to go in. - I was sure I could fake it and Roman my BIL - said no - tomorrow - it’s 3 days tomorrow - you can’t risk it ). He sounds so much like DH.

 

so now the food porn is skimpy but WTH - here we go:

 

 

Croquettes and calamari above and look how PERFECT the calamari is.

 

 

When you get these tea bags - you know you have a good place 😉 

 

 

Jan and Roman’t “french toast” dessert - they raved..

 

 

My creme Catalan below - deish

 

 

So good. If it’s the same on Friday I think my roll call friends should be happy

[canadianbear]

Yum that all looks SO delicious!  Glad you got out and enjoyed the meal.  

[kazu]

Yesterday I should have been in Besalu.  I was going to leave a few of DH’s ashes in a spot.

 

It is what it is but I guess my tour was a good one.  My sisters and BIL’s will have the same guide for Girona which is great.  They have Marta and very happy with her.  Some pics of very pretty Besalu which DH wanted to see: (this had been planned for.3 years)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s a very old medieval town - about 1.5 hour out of Barcelona - one of the prettiest tons outside of Barcelona.  The next town is one of those too.  So beautiful  but like you all I am viewing from pics

 

 

 

 

 

How pretty is this?  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[StLouisCruisers]

1 hour ago, kazu said:

Yesterday I should have been in Besalu.  I was going to leave a few of DH’s ashes in a spot.

 

It is what it is but I guess my tour was a good one.  My sisters and BIL’s will have the same guide for Girona which is great.  They have Marta and very happy with her.  Some pics of very pretty Besalu which DH wanted to see: (this had been planned for.3 years)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s a very old medieval town - about 1.5 hour out of Barcelona - one of the prettiest tons outside of Barcelona.  The next town is one of those too.  So beautiful  but like you all I am viewing from pics

 

 

 

 

 

How pretty is this?  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love these photos!  Yes, very beautiful!  I wish you could have gone, too, but glad to hear you got out to eat at the tapas place.  Hopefully your foot is healing quickly.  🤞

[bennybear]

Ooh those tapas!   The asparagus looks so yummy, and I think I recognize those teabags😂

[1of4]

So very happy you were able to get out of the hotel for dinner.  Yeah for Jan and hubby for springing you!  The hotel sounds amazing but walls start to close in on a person and a change is scene (and food) is so welcome.

 

🤞 for tomorrow and testing your foot.

[kazu]

My sister hasn’t been to Sagrada Familia in 15 years and was amazed at the changes.

 

 

I know I was surprised by the progress the last 2 times we went.

 

 

 

It’s nearly complete - but…they keep adding.

 

 

Gaudi would be proud of his dream coming to reality.

 

 

 

[kazu]

My sisters are off on another tour I arranged to Girona.

They will have the same guide as they did on Monday and are pleased about that.  They were very happy with Marta.

 

On my agenda today is addressing the Meet & Greet invites ( I held off due to upsell offers) and beginning of trying to pack up some stuff.   My sister and BIL kindly brought my clothes down from the rod which I couldn’t reach in the chair so I could a) change into something else and b) attempt to pack.  I am sure packing will take much longer than normal 😉 

And of course, to try to use the crutches 🤞 I see a review of the you tube tutorials I started to watch yesterday on the horizon 😉   Another exciting day in Barcelona LOL 😂 

I tested the foot this morning and while it can’t support much, it can partially weight bear - YAY.

 

[puppycanducruise]

You picked a great hotel, it's wonderful how they treat you.

Thanks for the food porn.

 

[rafinmd]

Let's celebrate even a little bit of weight.

 

Roy

[albingirl]

Hope you have a wonderful cruise! Love the pictures. Some bring me fond memories.

[0106]

Flight arrived at 8 am and Hotel Jazz had our room ready.😊

 

In order to stay awake we walked down Rambla.  First stop was Boqueria.

 

Although the vendors were still putting food out, it got crowded quickly.  

My husband sample the meat.

 

I was more interested in the seafood.
 

Next we explored the streets of Barri Gotic.  Beautiful area.  

 

 

 

[cat shepard]

@kazu

Jacqui, Some of the pictures should be on post cards, or even have them put on a canvas and hung in your home. And three cheers that you can put any weight at all on that foot. Do you need to be warned not to overdo it? If so, consider yourself warned. 😎
 

@0106 Tina, so glad to read that you two arrived and are already exploring.  Thank you for sharing your pictures!

Edited November 3, 2022 by cat shepard

[kazu]

44 minutes ago, 0106 said:

Flight arrived at 8 am and Hotel Jazz had our room ready.😊

 

YAY 🙂. Welcome to Barcelona, Tina - great pics.

 

37 minutes ago, cat shepard said:

@kazu

Jacqui, Some of the pictures should be on post cards, or even have them put on a canvas and hung in your home. And three cheers that you can put any weight at all on that foot. Do you need to be warned not to overdo it? If so, consider yourself warned.

 

LOL - believe me - any overdoing is too painful.

I am being very careful and kind to the foot 😉 

[*Miss G*]

3 hours ago, kazu said:

My sister hasn’t been to Sagrada Familia in 15 years and was amazed at the changes.

 

 

I know I was surprised by the progress the last 2 times we went.

 

 

 

It’s nearly complete - but…they keep adding.

 

 

Gaudi would be proud of his dream coming to reality.

 

 

 

 

WOW.  So many changes since I was last there!  Thank you.  Very happy to hear your foot is improving.  Keep up the good work!

[ger_77]

1 hour ago, 0106 said:

Flight arrived at 8 am and Hotel Jazz had our room ready.😊

 

In order to stay awake we walked down Rambla.  First stop was Boqueria.

 

Welcome to Barcelona!  We went to La Boqueria earlier this morning and were accosted by about 500 children, around the age of 8 or 9 with their teachers.  The cacophony that surrounded them was unbelievable!  Obviously they were having a good time, yucking and fake gagging at the rabbit, pig's heads, sheep heads, etc.

 

We left and a couple of hours later, encountered another school group of even younger kiddles (likely grade 1 students) all along La Ramblas.  They were almost 2 blocks long with their teachers, so we decided to get out of their way and head to the middle where we enoyed our first sangria of the day.  Is 12:25PM too early for sangria?  Not in Barcelona, it isn't!

 

[cat shepard]

13 minutes ago, ger_77 said:

Welcome to Barcelona!  We went to La Boqueria earlier this morning and were accosted by about 500 children, around the age of 8 or 9 with their teachers.  The cacophony that surrounded them was unbelievable!  Obviously they were having a good time, yucking and fake gagging at the rabbit, pig's heads, sheep heads, etc.

 

We left and a couple of hours later, encountered another school group of even younger kiddles (likely grade 1 students) all along La Ramblas.  They were almost 2 blocks long with their teachers, so we decided to get out of their way and head to the middle where we enoyed our first sangria of the day.  Is 12:25PM too early for sangria?  Not in Barcelona, it isn't!

 

Did DH have a successful shoe hunt?

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

3 hours ago, kazu said:

My sisters are off on another tour I arranged to Girona.

They will have the same guide as they did on Monday and are pleased about that.  They were very happy with Marta.

 

On my agenda today is addressing the Meet & Greet invites ( I held off due to upsell offers) and beginning of trying to pack up some stuff.   My sister and BIL kindly brought my clothes down from the rod which I couldn’t reach in the chair so I could a) change into something else and b) attempt to pack.  I am sure packing will take much longer than normal 😉 

And of course, to try to use the crutches 🤞 I see a review of the you tube tutorials I started to watch yesterday on the horizon 😉   Another exciting day in Barcelona LOL 😂 

I tested the foot this morning and while it can’t support much, it can partially weight bear - YAY.

 

 

Jacqui, I was pleased to read that your foot can bear a little weight .  My guess, if you don't overdo, and it sounds like you won't, it will get better every day.  

 

I have been enjoying seeing your pictures, especially those of Sagrada Familia.  Our one visit there was in September 2001, and there were not many tourist then.  The progress in the last 21 years is amazing.  Whenever we've been back to Barcelona, the crowds have been more than we wanted to brave to revisit the church.

 

This is what the sanctuary looked like in 2001.

 

 

@ger_77  Gerry and @0106  Tina, good to see that you arrived safely and are enjoying Barcelona.

 

Lenda

[kazu]

 

 

23 minutes ago, ger_77 said:

Welcome to Barcelona!  We went to La Boqueria earlier this morning and were accosted by about 500 children, around the age of 8 or 9 with their teachers.  The cacophony that surrounded them was unbelievable!  Obviously they were having a good time, yucking and fake gagging at the rabbit, pig's heads, sheep heads, etc.

 

We left and a couple of hours later, encountered another school group of even younger kiddles (likely grade 1 students) all along La Ramblas.  They were almost 2 blocks long with their teachers, so we decided to get out of their way and head to the middle where we enoyed our first sangria of the day.  Is 12:25PM too early for sangria?  Not in Barcelona, it isn't!

 

 

It’s never too early for Sangria in Barcelona 👍 😉 

[kazu]

12 minutes ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

 

Jacqui, I was pleased to read that your foot can bear a little weight .  My guess, if you don't overdo, and it sounds like you won't, it will get better every day.  

 

I have been enjoying seeing your pictures, especially those of Sagrada Familia.  Our one visit there was in September 2001, and there were not many tourist then.  The progress in the last 21 years is amazing.  Whenever we've been back to Barcelona, the crowds have been more than we wanted to brave to revisit the church.

 

This is what the sanctuary looked like in 2001.

 

 

@ger_77  Gerry and @0106  Tina, good to see that you arrived safely and are enjoying Barcelona.

 

Lenda

 

I think DH and I were there around the same time as you.  Remember that all too well 😉 

Every time I have gone I have been amazed by the progress.

Lenda, don’t worry about the crowds outside.  Inside the numbers are strictly limited and it’s not bad at all.  Buy your tickets on line with the timed entrance and you go in a separate entrance bypassing all those people lined up 😉 

It’s getting pricier and pricier (but so is everything).  Bought my sisters’ theirs for them as I knew how to and wanted to make sure they could all get in at the same time.

 

Oh, and fair warning - if you buy a tower ticket to take to the elevator to the top you have to walk down all the stairs to get back to the main level.

[0106]

@ger_77We saw them too.  This not how we did field trips at my school!

 

DH is napping.  I’m enjoying a Cava on the hotels roof top deck.

 

We have 9 am guided tour tickets for Sagrada tomorrow.

Edited November 3, 2022 by 0106