Passatge Bacardi: Passageway Detail, Placa Reial, Barcelona

Back in May I showed you this image of Passatge Bacardi, a narrow street next to Placa Reial. This time I want to give you the opportunity to enjoy the view from the other side, that is, from the square and making emphasis on the passageway or corridor. Tomorrow is my last day of work and I'll be on holidays till September. I will have the opportunity to take more pictures of Barcelona, at least till August 19th.

Winged Fame Sculpture at Columbus Monument, Barcelona

One of the sculptures representing Pheme or Fame spreading her wings at the pedestal of the Columbus monument next to Las Ramblas in Barcelona. Conceived by Francesc Font and modeled by Rossend Nobas, the Fames surrounding the column create a wonderful silhouette against the sky.

    

Cafe Babel: The Secret Charm of Small Barri Gotic Cafes

The narrow alleys of Barri Gotic in Barcelona's casc antic (old quarter) are studded with small bistros that have this sort of deceptive ramshackle appearance. Many of these, are rather mimetic and seem to come out of a lethargic dream when the last rays of the sun slowly disappear at the top of the weathered façades. An enthusiastic clientele of loyals and the usual newbies fluttering from place to place, storm the place to start over the life cycle of bohemian deja-vus. A good idea to attract the prey for the night kill is to use some flashy lure and that is where art comes alive. A nice painting on the metal rolling door sometimes can help the house keep a certain cultural aura that is well appreciated by customers and inadvertently contributes to the atmosphere of an otherwise dull street. Notice this pumping heart at Cafe Babel where all different bloods blend and gush out into one single stream probably an allusion to the famous biblical tower and the notion of a united humanity, speaking a single language. It is a very small place, with just a few tables but artistically decorated. To the sound of Nu Jazz you can enjoy a good menu or a nice drink (they even have absenta) either inside or at the quiet terrace across the street in the middle of Placa dels Traginers just below the remnants of the old city wall: check Plaça del Traginers - A Very Romantic Place an article by Sonia Martinez Argüelo at Barcelona Spotted by Locals which features a picture of Cafe Babel's terrace.