Finally, El Camp Nou! But before that, I just had to take some images of some pretty cool graffiti near the station of Tarragona.

Graffiti near Tarragona

Graffiti near Tarragona

Graffiti near Tarragona

Ok, so after getting to the stadium, my father and I bought tickets for the tour. The tour began with a short 3D movie featuring a “friendly” game between F.C. Barcelona and Boca Juniors (Buenos Aires, Argentina) that occurred last year (2008). The movie had highlights of the game, mixed with trance music and some 3D graphics.

After the movie, everyone headed to the dressing room of the visiting team and then out onto the field, right where the players sit during games. Unfortunately, there was a concert that would be going on in a few days, and a team of workers were constructing the stage and lighting for the show…so the field was almost completely covered, no green grass

El Camp Nou - Field Level

But oh well, I was already there, so I took advantage and still took as many photos as I could. After taking photos and taking in the scene from the field level, we followed the signs to the press room. I can only imagine the questions that have been asked over time…one of the more current questions, “What will Barcelona do in response to the recent signings of Ronaldo and Kaká…and rumors of more to come in the near future?”

In the press room

Following the stairs upward, we were taken out to seats at the mid-level of the stadium. A wonderful vantage point that gave me a sense of what a typical fan could see all around them. After taking a few pictures of the fun, I began having fun with attempting to take some more stylized photos, featuring my father and I staring into the greatness that is El Camp Nou.

Starring off into the vastness of the stadium

just had to take a photo like the one in Madrid

The Nike Swoosh

After that, we were lead to the press boxes. These seats and rooms sit at a higher level above the stadium, but are a great opportunity to see the whole stadium in one glance. There were at least some 60 seats up there in the press area, I can’t imagine the frivolous yelling, writing, and typing that goes on in those rooms as the games go on; all of the members relaying their messages to their listeners or planning their review of the game for their blog, paper, or television program.

The press box above the stadium

The museum featured countless historical items such as previously worn jerseys, old ticket stubs, season passes, and a lot of information to read relaying the story of the club. My favorite part of the museum was the opportunity to take a photo in front of the 3 Championship cups that the club won this past year: La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the 2009 Champions League. This trifector of championships has been dubbed the “treble” by many soccer fans. I waited a while for a chance for a very quick snapshot of myself in front of the trophies, but it was so worth it. Another great experience was to take my picture in front of a worn and signed #10 Diego (Armando) Maradona jersey that he wore during the 1983-84 season.

Old ticket stubs and season passes

Scarlet and Blue Fifty Years On

The trifector: La Liga, Copa del Rey, 2009 Champions League

Worn and signed #10 Diego Maradona jersey (1983-84)

After the museum, we headed for the team store that was located just outside the stadium. If you want anything Barcelona F.C. (FCB for short) then you can find it here. Seriously, they even had AA and AAA batteries that had the team colors and insignia on them. Some of the merchandise included, jerseys, shorts, shirts, shoes, scarves, banners, etc. I kind of went on a short shopping spree, hahaha. And no, I did not buy the batteries

The line of player jerseys great you at the door

After our tour and shopping spree, we stopped by the hotel to drop off the merchandise and rest up a little bit. We then headed for the La Plaça de Cristóbal Colón. We stopped to take some pictures of Port Vell and then did a little shopping at a mall nearby.

La Plaça de Cristóbal Colón

La Plaça de Cristóbal Colón - with a friend

A small harbor in Port Vell

Because we were so close by, literally you just cross La Plaça de Cristóbal Colón on the way back, we headed to Las Ramblas to find a place to eat. We wanted something quick, so we stopped in a place called Pit Inn. They specialize in Pitas, Bocadillos, Falafel, and Shawarma. So you ask for a pita, they stuff it with meat, if you choose, and then you walk down the vegetable bar to fill your pita with whatever you’d like. Oh, you better believe that I stuffed the heck out of my pita. It was so stuffed, that any more, and it would have certainly ripped; I mean this thing was bulging at the edges. But it was very good, but one thing was missing…dessert.

The line of vegetables to stuff into your pita

Everyone's pita is different...that is the beauty of it

Your pita, your way

As for dessert, we stopped by Sweet Gaufre, a small independent gaufre (waffle – French origin) restaurant that offers gaufres with toppings, gelato, cakes, other desserts, and coffee. We wanted to keep it simple, so my father ordered a gaufre with sugar sprinkled on top while I ordered a gaufre smothered with Nutella. Sure, you can get Nutella in the United States now, but in Europe, I’ve noticed that the Nutella is slightly creamier and much better spread, more like a crème versus the consistency of peanut butter. Wow, these were spectacular, especially because they were warm…and the Nutella had been kept warm before spreading it on the gaufre, SO GOOD!

Just too good to resist

A gaufre slathered with Nutella

Finally, on our way back up to the metro station we stopped for a bit in La Plaça Catalunya. We took some photos and also got to hear some music played by indigenous people of Latin America. The music was told a sad and then uplifting story. The music reminded us of Cusco, a German band named after the Peruvian city, that helped develop “new instrumental” or “new age” music back in the 1980s. Their style focused on ancient South American flute sounds and melodies.

A group of indigenous musicians

La Plaça Catalunya @ night

Filed under: Travel by Giancarlo Deleon