Theme Photo: Shadows

It's May 1st, which means it's theme photo day again. This month's theme is shadows. The photo I've selected today is not from New York City. It was actually taken in Barcelona in March 2009. I hope the people of Barcelona will permit me to share a scene from their beautiful city on this special day.

There are many other cities participating in the theme photos. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

Postcard from Barcelona: Antique Car Show

This little boy was dressed in an outfit reminiscing the early 1900s at the antique car rally from Barcelona to Sitges last Sunday. He was one of many others who dressed in period-appropriate attires for the start of the race.

I will be heading back to NYC today. Regular programming resumes tomorrow.

Postcard from Barcelona: Churros & Chocolate

No explanation need -- churros and chocolate after visiting the Picasso Museum at La Ribera neighborhood. Art, chocolate and fried pastries -- you can't go wrong with this combination!

Postcard from Barcelona: Barceloneta Beach

This photo was taken last Friday afternoon at the Barceloneta Beach when the weather was actually not that warm. But it did not stop these beach goers from having fun. The weather got much warmer over the weekend and I bet the beach was totally packed Unfortunately, I didn't go back to there to take the photos.

Postcard from Barcelona: Plaça de Catalunya

This is Plaça de Catalunya, on the northern end of La Rambla near the hostel where I'm staying. As you can see, the plaza is filled with pigeons and that is partly because there are a couple vendors sellings bags of bird seeds to tourists to feed the pigeons. Notice the balloons? They vendors also sell them.

Postcard from Barcelona: Casa Milà

This is Casa Milà, a main tourist attraction in Barcelona. The building, located in the luxury Eixemple District, is considered one of the best examples of Antoni Gaudi's work. Antoni Gaudi is of course, the Father of the Modernisme movement in Spain.

Postcard from Barcelona: Morning Coffee

This was my first cup of coffee in Barcelona yesterday morning after arriving on the red eye flight from NYC. I checked my luggage behind the counter at the hotel -- the room was not ready yet -- and headed to the La Boqueria, a gigantic meat, vegetables and fruits market located right off of La Rambla, the main tourist street of Barcelona. The market also have numerous cafes and restaurants that serve breakfast and lunch.

I discovered later during the day that my US bank card does not allow me withdraw money from the ATM machines here in Barcelona. This is strange because I was able to withdraw Euros from Rome less than two months ago, and RMB in Beijing, China in 2007. I have contacted my bank in NYC and hopefully, this situation gets resolved soon or else I will be tap dancing at La Rambla for pocket change.

Update: After a 2nd desperate call to the bank, the ATM problem is resolved. I will not have to scrub the toilet as Sally said.