Anyhow, after being here for a week and trying to see and absorb as much Barcelona as possible, I decided to be a full-on tourist for a day. I rode the double decker on-and-off bus tour all afternoon to see and photograph all the tourist attractions. I even wore my camera dangling around my neck. I usually like to pretend I’m a local but today I let loose.

So after my bus tour, I decided to finish my indulgent day of tourism with a visit to Hard Rock Cafe Barcelona.

I was expecting a reasonable Spanish interpretation. After all, the Spaniards don’t appear to be the slightest bit interested in borrowing from North American culture. I was also expecting it to be relatively empty save for a few homesick Americans.

I couldn’t have been more wrong. I am surrounded by the same hardwood and brass. I’m sitting at the same center feature bar staffed by a bunch of wacky, cocky, bartentertainers. I am even looking at Marilyn Manson and Keith Richards autographed memorabilia on the wall next to me. The music videos are all classic rock. I’ve seen 2 Barenaked Ladies videos in less than an hour.

And the kicker…it’s packed full of locals and European tourists with a line-up out the door waiting for tables on a Tuesday night.

This is clearly a company that understands its brand, how to recreate it successfully around the world, and how to draw in the locals on a regular basis. Absolutely brilliant.

I’m going back to my second pint of Estrella Damm and this killer Corey Hart video now. Hasta luego!