Viaje - Barcelona Sand

As I mentioned in my first post of this road trip, one of our goals was to get some sand from Barcelona to add to my collection.  Although we visited Barcelona in 2011, we failed to pick up any sand!  This visit was a quick one of only a few hours - mostly for sand :)

This is just one of the marinas in Barcelona.

This is the Peix designed by architect Frank Gehry.

Winslow wasn't welcome on this beach so Jim went out to collect some sand.  It was actually a bit chilly and even rained a little while we were there.

This is the L'Estel ferit by artist Rebecca Horn.

Of course we made time for a drink in the Barceloneta area - our favorite area of Barcelona.

A typical cafe in this area - they were disappointed we only wanted a drink and none of their food.  Jim finally relented and ordered a recommended dessert and it was delicious.

This is a typical street in Barceloneta.  Laundry hanging everywhere.  Kind of like Naples only slightly safer.

Not only laundry, but satellite discs and football (soccer) flags.  The Spanish may be the worst of the Europeans for their love of soccer.  They're actually dangerously in love with it.

So, with sand in hand, we headed inland toward our next stop.  About 30 minutes into the drive, there was a "ding" which indicated we had a flat tire.

Someone had deliberately slashed our tire with a knife.  We had no idea why.  Our license plate clearly indicates which country we live in, as all European license plates do.  We speculated it could be any one of several things - someone who hates tourists, someone who hates Belgian tourists, someone who hates the Belgian soccer team.  Seriously, football (soccer) is serious business over here. 

So Jim pulled off at the next exit and into the first gas station.  Although they weren't able to help us, they directed us to an auto repair shop just down the street.

The guy wasn't a bit surprised at our situation, but not speaking Catalan (in addition to every other language that's not English), we didn't get into a discussion as to why he thought we were targeted.  We were just grateful we hadn't had a blowout on the interstate!

So when we got home, I googled it.  Turns out it is a scam.  No surprise there.  Criminals work in teams, first slashing your tire then following you and throwing a rock or something to get your attention motioning that you seem to have a flat tire.  When you pull over, the other "team" comes in to offer help.  While you've got your trunk unloaded getting the spare out and/or your car door open, they make off with whatever they want.  Usually a purse with your passports in it!

We considered ourselves very lucky that our flat tire stayed intact for nearly half an hour.  We figured the thieves gave up on us.  I guess we'll have to add Barcelona to our list with Naples and Rome of places it's best not to visit again!

Acquiring Barcelona sand turned out to be quite the ordeal.