Rambling on Las Ramblas

My first 2 full days in Barcelona have comprised a great deal of walking, wandering and looking up. I have been walking everywhere - using Las Ramblas as a landmark I pretty much go down any street that catches my fancy. I suppose I should describe Las Ramblas for those of you who have not yet experienced it's craziness. Is is a long avenue that is one of the world's largest tourist traps. In the centre is the main walking (and tourist trapping) area, it's around 20 feet wide, bordered by 2 lanes of traffic on either side and then buildings reaching up and blocking everything in. There are numerous smaller streets (really just large alleys) going off in all directions. But on the main strip you have a consistent jumble of sidewalk restaurants, !Hola! stands selling papers, magazines, postcards etc., flower stands, people selling a mulititude of birds and small furry creatures in cages and then the statue people. It is beyond crowded in some areas and can be frustrating to walk through, but if you just ignore all of the touristy stuff and look at the buildings and go down one of those little streets you will stumble across wonders. My favourite has been the barri gotti (gothic neighbourhood) - wonderful old churches, the old citadel...of course this is all still very touristy but the further you get from Las Ramblas itself the less touristy it gets. You can find cafes & restaurants where locals actually go. I have been walking everywhere - haven´t really wanted to get on the Metro as you start walking and don't even notice how far you've gone as you're busy looking at all of the amazing buildings everywhere...This is why I love Europe - the history in the cities isn´t confined to the castles or the old churches, it's in the buildings that make up the apartments, businesses and general government buildings. Everywhere you look you see just incredible stonework and detailing. Sadly outside of Quebec City you just don't see that in Canada - it's not our fault that we're a young country - maybe in 100 years? Although I can't look at it objectively as all I see are glass & steel, nothing to inspire wonder. Again Toronto is a young city in a young country - some of the older cities like Ottawa, Montreal etc. may have a better chance of inspiring that kind of awe in the future. However, having said all that - every city has it's hidden gems, go for a walk in your city sometime and see what you discover.