Jazz Night

After we settled into our apartment and neighbourhood we took a quick siesta.  Then on our first night here we went to a classic Jazz venue - tickets pre-booked from Toronto. 

Inside Barcelona’s 5-star Hotel Casa Fuster is Café Vienés, an elegant café which hosts jazz nights every Thursday, at which some of the best jazz and swing artists perform. Woody Allen filmed and played here. For 65 EU each we had a lovely table close to the stage, cold and hot tapas, glass of champagne each and a bottle of tasty red wine. The interior design is funky and very Barcelona (see pics). 

The star performer was "Professor Cunnigham", an Australian, now resident in New York. He was amazing playing Sax, Flute and Clarinet. He was accompied by a pianist and a Bass player. Two young local clarinet and trombone players were enthusiastic guests. The playlists was classic jazz form the 20's and 30's. It was a fun night and great start to our Barcelona experience. 

Arrival

We successfully and uneventfully arrived in Barcelona Thursday morning at 7:10 AM.  Our driver picked  us up as planned and drove us first to the management office, then to our apartment. The apartment is on the corner of the second floor with windows facing two different streets. It is well appointed with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Unfortunately it is very noisy inside and out. Inside the refrigerator rumbles and moans, especially at night. Outside the roads are busy and the people are rowdy. 

But overall we are pleased. The neighbourhood has great bakeries, markets etc. Our larder was easily filled. And most important, wine is easily acquired!

Coffee is also plentiful. Look at this huge Capaccino displayed in a local window. 

So getting used to eating in Barcelona (for Canadians) is like getting over Jet Lag. Lunch is usually eaten around 2 or 3 and dinner usually after 9. Somehow (and proudly) we managed this on our first day. Our first lunch was perfect. We ate at the L'Eggs Restaurant (http://www.leggs.es) which is owned by a Chef who has had several Michelin starred restaurants. As it's name suggests many of the menu items have eggs as an ingredient. We shared a creamy egg dish that was more like a pudding and contained artichokes and Iberian ham. Also some great wine. If times allows we would certainly return. 

Second Try

Well here we go again. Taxi picking us up in 30 minutes and we are off to airport to see if this time we can actually get off the ground. Sent a note to CEO of Air Canada asking for compensation. I will report later how that unfolds.

So first the Maple Leaf Lounge, then the plane......and we shall see

Now onboard. Fellow passengers happy and like old friends. 

Where are we?

Woke up this morning and at first thought Barcelona felt just like home. Then I opened my eyes and saw I was at home. After a coffee, with milk generously supplied by our neighbour Eddie I I was able to sort things out. Monica, always up earlier than me had discovered that we can now "Check-In" again for the new flight leaving tonight at 5:30. So that is done and same starts and plane configuration.

Also woke up to newspapers that were not suppose to be there. So Toronto Star and Globe and Mail had to be called. Arrangements for our Barcelona taxi and apartments have been modified. So we are all ready to restart this adventure. Hopefully this time we will get at least as far as Newfoundland.

Oh there is still the issue of appropriate compensation. Air Canada is only offering 30% off of a future flight. Given they held us hostage for 7 hours I think they should give us the 30% off the current flight and also pay for our missed first night of accommodation in Barcelona that we are being charged. Now will I have the stamina to wait 65 minutes for Air Canada to amasser their phones????

Still Grounded

Well it's three hours later. We disembarked with all our belongings and 45 minutes later re-boarded. Now apparently we are waiting for fresh food. Right now a glass of wine and some sleep is all we really need. Oh yes, and the soft feeling of soaring through the air. 

Barcelona please wait up. We are hopeful we will arrive sometime tomorrow 

On Board

We have settled into our Air Canada Rouge Premium seats. Not too bad. We have two seats together and each have an aisle.  Plane has some problem so we are now moving back to gate. Hoping this won't be long delay. 

We each have complimentary iPads so we can watch movies enroute. I'm hoping for early sleep since our arrival is around 3AM Toronto time.  Dinner will be served at take off. Sadly the choices are exactly what we were offered in the Maple Leaf Lounge. 

Tomorrow Barcelona 

Well maybe tomorrow. We were just deplaned in Toronto and are waiting for repairs. Likely will leave Toronto 3 hours late. 

Barcelona

Once again we are on the cusp of an adventure. Leaving later in September we are heading to Barcelona and then Dubai. Barcelona is just a quick tipping of our toes into Spain. We plan to return for a longer exploration of culture, and WINE. But this visit is a start. And then we are off to Dubai to inhale sand and understand how our son and his partner live. 

Our trip report will follow as it unfolds