DAY 20, OCT 26^TH WEDNESDAY, DAY 2 FIGUERES:

Partly sunny at daybreak going up to 77F today. The day actually began at 0545 with the blaring fire alarm! We opened our door and found a few people sticking their heads out and one family had their shoes on with their pjs! There was  no announcement or anything and after just 2 minutes of the screaming alarm it suddenly was quiet and everyone returned to slumber again. Paul asked the front desk as we entered for breakfast and was told that the setup crew for breakfast had caught a piece of bread in the toaster setting off the alarm throughout the hotel.

We arrived at the Dali Museum at the appointed 1030 timeslot to retrieve our tickets and enter without a line. By 1100 AM the place was full to capacity. There were 16 different numbered stopping points throughout with explanations and description of the works. Dali really was a master of angles and depth perception. The central hall had a huge painting at least 40 ft tall. Another in that hall looked to be layered blocks of different objects when viewed as a whole was a man’s head, was it Abe Lincoln? Another in the same hall looked like random blotches but also as an outline of a man’s head, JFK perhaps?? Just outside the soaring central hall is a courtyard with a 47 Caddy taking pride of place!

 It is called the Dali Theater/Museum because it occupies the site of the original theater which was destroyed during the civil war. Dali was born just down the street and his church is also close by. He felt it was the perfect place for his legacy and it is. It is not stuffy and straight laced, it is alive and fun and a terrific experience. So glad we came to see this.

We even went through the Jewelry collection as Dali like so many painters did not restrict himself to just painting but did jewelry designs as well.

We refreshed and then wandered about the streets looking to purchase typical fan for Jane’s hairdresser friend. Two shops later and many lengthy conversations with shop keepers we had the perfect fan and carry box with a protective velvet sleeve, too. Mission completed we next looked for our lunch place. Paul had spotted another Lizarran for his lunch and so we found a table and ordered. The chef treated Paul’s request with indifference so that his al punto steak arrived very well overdone. It was returned for another attempt. After another lengthy wait the steak returned properly cooked this time, however same French fries and vegetables accompanied the steaming new steak but they were stone cold. Paul said nothing to our waiter but complained to Jane. Ultimately the server noticed that Paul was finished but that he had not touched the potatoes or veggies, he explained that they were in fact the original set having been dispatched on the same plate. She said that he should have spoken up. As it was she took half the steak price off of the bill and apologized profusely. Paul told her that the Cook just had a BAD day.

On the way back for siesta time, Paul found a shoe shop holding a sale, a pair of little girls golden sneakers in MacKenzie size for just 11 euros. So cute.

 After siesta we set off to visit the same eating establishment as our first night because it was so good, Paul said it was all downhill  so we would eat and take a return taxi back up the hill to the hotel. Well the best laid plans of mice and men. We found a restaurante not two blocks from the hotel on our way into town with dark wood trim and lights that reminded us of Café Iruna Pamplona where Hemingway hung out. The food was good and Paul had another rabbit. In fact he mentioned that he has had more rabbit than we have seen bulls along the highway on this trip, he is now up to 4 rabbits.

Early night and off we went. Travel day tomorrow down to the Med and coast.