On Thursday afternoon we decided to go visit Sitges, a Mediterranean coastal town a few miles outside of Barcelona. We would have lunch there and stroll through the old town. We flagged a cab to the train station and confidently bought out tickets to Sitges for a little over 8 Euro. The ticket master said we should go to Platform 9 and it was leaving in about ten minutes. We got to the platform and in just a few minutes the train pulled in. We jumped on the and for once Terry did not ask if we were on the right train. Off we went and went and went blowing through several small towns. We knew it was only about a 30 minute train ride. About that time the conductor came through looking at train tickets and then Terry ask when we would arrive at Sitges. He said we passed it. This train doesn't stop until.......
He said we would have to get off there. He went on checking tickets and eventually came back and said 2 minutes and then off. We had been discussing it among ourselves and hoping we understood his limited English. There was a young man across from where Terry was sitting and she asked him if he spoke English. He smiled and admitted that he did and had been listening to our conversation. He said we could get off at Vicenc de calders and then catch the slow train back which stops at every station including Sitges. He suggested we just stay on and go to his town further up the line which he said was lovely. About this time the train pulled in to St. Vicenc de Calders train station. We decided we better get off and go back. Couldn't find anyone to ask as the ticket office was closed. An announcement came on in Spanish saying something, the gist of which I decided was a departure announcement with the city of Barcelona included. I looked out across the platforms and saw a train which said R-2 Barcelona on it. We scurried down the stairs and through the tunnel to that platform and ask a girl standing there if it went to Barcelona and did it stop in Sitges. She said yes. Ok we are now on the right train. Oh the adventures we do have owning to the language barrier. Ha.
Another 20 minutes or more later we finally pulled into Sitges a little after 200 PM. We are definitely hungry now, but it is the Spanish eating hour, so we headed down into town.
Sitges is a town about 35 kilometres southwest of Barcelona, renowned worldwide for its Film Festival and Carnival. Located between the Garraf Massif and the sea, it is known for its beaches, nightspots, and historical sites.
While the roots of Sitges' artsy reputation date back to the late 19th century, when Catalan painter Santiago Rusiñol took up residence there during the summer, the town became a centre for the 1960s counterculture in mainland Spain, then still under the dictatorship of Francisco Franco, and became known as "Ibiza in miniature".
Not a lot going on today, but it was a beautiful sunny day
The church (not open)
Defense aginst enemies from the sea
Headed down to the beach and promenade
La Sirena cast in bronze in 1965 a siren that the artist, sculptor Per Jou had modeled in the 50s and today is exposed on the seafront of Sitges. This sculpture is familiarly known by all the inhabitants of the town and is representative of the peoples affection for its author.
We wandered along the promenade and looked at restaurants that would accomodate the non fish eater, and found one to suit all. We had a nice leisurely lunch
The sculptures depicting Catalan painters Ramón Casas and Santiago Rusiñol with an easel are among the most recent pieces to be added to the collection in the square
where we ended up after walking through the old town - back along the beach
From here we walked back into town and found a place for coffee and then headed back to the train and home. We got on the right one this time.
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