and without hurry. Entire families can be seen making their way along the wide sidewalks with grandparents in tow, or just the grandparents will walk slower than you thought was ever possible, taking in all the sights. Sunday is also a day when the streets are full of musicians. I saw at least three bands today, and that was just on one side of the Plaza Catalunya. One outstanding group played Latin rhythms, mostly salsa. A second group farther down played old-timey Cajun music, complete with banjo and a full-size upright piano (on the street!). Another group played an eclectic mix of cumbia, reggae, and dancehall beats with a Manu Chau-like tone layered over the whole thing. And they even had a cajón player. The cajón, if you aren't familiar, is basically a box with a whole in the back that the musician sits on and plays like a drum. It's simple but it adds a cool sound to the music and is common in flamenco shows. Their guy selling CDs had a Fu manchu style mustache, a bamboo Chinese peasant hat with a chin strap, and was called Mr. Miyagi.* Clever (or possibly offensive, depending on your 
point of view). Despite their gimmickery, they were quite good and definitely fun to listen (and dance) to outside on a beautiful sunny day in Barcelona. A cup of cookies and cream ice cream completed the perfect afternoon break from grading essays.*Sorry there's no photo of him. I didn't bring my real camera and the iphone camera just isn't that fantastic.
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