Trying to will myself out of bed before noon seems to be one of the more challenging tasks in the cold, gloomy, with-not-enough-natural-light that is my friend mijkl´s apartment. The thought that I will be missing the sun at its peak (and the fact that it's warmer outside than it is inside) is what finally does it for me.

Today I passed young boys playing soccer (or football, depending on where you 'come from') in the street and older folks playing a traditional game that looks like bowling (sorry but not sure what it's called) in the early afternoon sunshine. I headed for the supermarket and returned home with warm fresh baguette and herb cream cheese to lure my fellow 'housemates' out of bed - well, that and hot coffee :) It finally worked and after enjoying breakfast together, we went our separate ways.

I have plans to visit Parc de Montjuic before the sun sets today at around 6:30 pm. This is a park on top of a hill which I'm told has a beautiful view of the city as well as a museum, a swimming pool and a castle. You can actually take a cable car (funiculaire in French, funicular in Spanish) to the top of the hill - of course it costs money but probably worth the trip! I´m looking forward to going to the swimming pool (not sure if it will happen today as it's already 3:30 pm and I think it closes at 4:30 pm on Sundays) as it will most likely be warm and I can take my first hot shower since arriving in Barcelona :) I also see it as a form of rehabilitation for my weary legs... so definitely if not today, then tomorrow.

What I've seen so far: La Rambla (a long street filled with tourists, buskers, human statues - including imitations of Michael Jackson and Cleopatra, as well as shops and restaurants to lure fore-mentioned tourists), Monument a Colom (Columbus Monument - yes the one and only), Casa Batllo (a well known colorful building designed by the famous Antoni Gaudi), Casa Amatller (next door, but designed by another leading architect - Josep Puig i Cadafalch) and La Pedrera (another Gaudi masterpiece which I plan on pitching over the six euros tomorrow for a tour of the inside)... and yes I am taking photos! :)

Will keep you posted over the next few days - and please do write comments, I enjoy reading what you have to say :)