New Year's Night

Half an hour after the noisy New Year's Eve celebration, La Ramblas began to empty rapidly. The crowd spread out along the side streets, some going home, and others continuing the celebration in the countless cafes and bars of the Gothic and Raval neighborhoods.

The cafes on the Ramblas itself were also not empty, although there was no full house, many tables remained empty. Despite the very warm night (+17 Celsius), most still preferred night gatherings in more comfortable conditions.

Some people continued the fun in a somewhat dubious way-breaking bottles. This traditional New Year's hooliganism is quite organized - the audience stands in a circle, clearing a large space, where empty dishes fly. In this case, the risk of getting a bottle on the head is reduced to zero.

Well, I went back to the Portal de la Pau Square, where I admired the night illumination of the Columbus Circle monument.

Then I went to the Seaside Boulevard (Passeig Marítim de Barcelona), where the old port authority building is located.

Several romantic couples sat quietly on the steps of the pier where the ships of sea excursions are moored, sipping champagne.

I also spent some time contemplating the sleeping mirror of the Old Port's water. Only at the terminal of the Balearia ferry company was there any sign of activity.

This was the end of my last day of 2012, which was so full of interesting events. At one-thirty in the morning, I went to the hotel, as I had planned an early departure to the monastery of Montserrat.