‘Magic mushrooms, marzipan vegetables and maudlin fish’………

…… is quite the norm in a certain part of Barcelona you know. Not one of the usual tourist haunts, more for the locals really I suppose, but if you happen to be wandering along Las Ramblas step away from all the designer outlets for a while and into the indoor food market, St Josep La Boqueria. It will only take you about half an hour to walk around it.

It is probably somewhere that you wouldn’t bother with but honestly, it’s fascinating and really does give you the ‘flavour’ of Mediterannean food.

If I’m honest I hadn’t got a clue what some of it was but the stall-holders had set out some stunning displays of fruit, vegetables, meat and confectionery, some of which was quite unusual and eye-catching.

Many locals were buying supplies and I couldn’t help being curious about what dishes they  were going to produce with their ingredients for supper that night.

When I am in a port of call I rarely join the organized excursions, tending mainly to wander around and do my own thing and I always try to get away from the main tourist areas and hunt down the places where the locals gather. I find this gives me a much better insight into the place, the people and the culture there.

A word of warning though, always respect local culture. I once found myself in an unpleasant situation in a Souk in Tunisia. I had a sleeveless top on and had forgotten about covering my shoulders. Too late I realised the locals were not impressed and one elderly lady actually stood waving Rosary Beads in my face! A lesson learned!

Another bonus of doing your own thing is that you get away from the madding crowds of the main tourist areas. Places where the locals hang-out are always much less crowded.

Be warned though, if you do go it alone while in port, be sure to get back to the ship in good time for sailing. The ship will not wait for you if you are late and it will sail away without you.

For more information on Med cruises and particularly Barcelona please give me a call at any time and I will be happy to chat to you 0330 303 8184.