I'm going to Barcelona next week for work, traveling alone and a little shy. Any advice on the September festival? Markets and shopping? And also where to hang out to eat tapas and just people watch. Thanks.

The first and last things I would suggest regarding your trip to Barcelona is to download a free copy of Maribel's Guide to Barcelona (http://maribelsguides.com). Another thing I would suggest is that you check out some of the messages already posted on this site regarding Barcelona and enjoy get ready to yourself.

There seemed to be lots of solo travelers when I was in Barcelona in May, so you shouldn't feel intimidated. The restaurants in the Eixample seemed to be more placid and relaxed than those in the Barri Gotic or near the Ramblas, so they might be best for solo dining. (Then again, I suppose some could see that in reverse - the busier the better for solo dining).
There didn't seem to be that many great tapas places in Barcelona, certainly not like in Madrid or Seville, but quite a few restaurants had small tapas bars.
For people watching, the Ramblas is one of the greatest places on earth for that activity.

I'm in a hurry to leave work (going to Spain in the a.m.!) but you'll have to trouble in Spain as a solo female traveler. Just be cautious as you would in any large city. I don't carry my nice camera or daypack when I'm in Barcelona or Madrid and have never felt like I was unsafe. Maribel's guides have great restaurants - I loved CalPep for the informal, fun atmosphere. The El Born area was where I spent alot of time. There were lots of restaurants/cafes and it was safe to walk around there at night since people were all around. The festival (Merce) is great! You'll see parades of giants, and the groups of people who climb up onto each other like human towers (the name escapes me as I'm in a hurry). Go to the tourism office and pick up a schedule of events. There was alot going on in the Gothic quarter where I stayed.

Don't be shy, and just jump right in there and have a good time!

thanks to all of you. it sounds like you can't go wrong.

Barcelona Festival: la Merce
I recomend you this concert
- Pastora (Barcelona, electronic pop). Rambla del Raval, Thursday 23, 10.30 p.m.