Focusing on Gaudi in Barcelona, Spain
Late from breakfast, we had to navigate the metro system. Not a problem; even more than I remembered, the underground network is extremely efficient at the people-moving business. It's Gaudi day.
Antonio Gaudi is the pride and joy of Barcelona. I mean, consider that his contemporary compatriots included Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso, both geniuses in their own right, and recognize that Gaudi seems to be the most highly regarded. As I saw today, it is partly because so much of what he created is woven into the day-to-day life of ths city. No need to go to a museum; you can walk the Passage de Gracia and sit on his benches admiring his spectacular casas and streetlamps. And then go to the park.
Casa Mila (Pederalo sp?): This is the Stone-quarry house that flows around a popular street corner on the Passage de Gracia. Awesome tour, all the way to the roof.
Casa Botlla: a unique vision that would be a great place to throw a dinner party.
Cathedral de la Sagrada Familla: official motto "our creator died 79 years ago, but we're going to get serious about building the rest of this thing soon." I cannot believe I missed this when I was here 12 years ago. The towers are breathtaking -- yes, you can go up in them, nearly all the way to the top. 122 years and counting on the construction project. Other official motto: "well, we're not really even close yet, but we'll do it Manana . . . ." There is a heartwrenching Mother Theresa photoexhibition inside at the moment. There is also nothing resembling a roof.
Guell Park: the biggest surprise for me, because I didn't even know this place existed until our tourist board officer Monica suggested it Thursday. It's spectacular. Imagine having Gaudi design a park for himself to live, then having the city get it for a public park.
I am overwhelmed by architectural splendor. I could not imagine seeing so much. Have to load photos to computer.
Danka is arousing from a passed out heat stroke type day. Now she is making tapas, her new passion. Too bad we can't have a glass of gazpacho. I'm getting addicted.
We met a German singer in the Forum on the metro, Hilde. She had a Spanish/Deutsch dictionary, studying it carefully. Maybe we will catch part of her show.
Antonio Gaudi is the pride and joy of Barcelona. I mean, consider that his contemporary compatriots included Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso, both geniuses in their own right, and recognize that Gaudi seems to be the most highly regarded. As I saw today, it is partly because so much of what he created is woven into the day-to-day life of ths city. No need to go to a museum; you can walk the Passage de Gracia and sit on his benches admiring his spectacular casas and streetlamps. And then go to the park.
Casa Mila (Pederalo sp?): This is the Stone-quarry house that flows around a popular street corner on the Passage de Gracia. Awesome tour, all the way to the roof.
Casa Botlla: a unique vision that would be a great place to throw a dinner party.
Cathedral de la Sagrada Familla: official motto "our creator died 79 years ago, but we're going to get serious about building the rest of this thing soon." I cannot believe I missed this when I was here 12 years ago. The towers are breathtaking -- yes, you can go up in them, nearly all the way to the top. 122 years and counting on the construction project. Other official motto: "well, we're not really even close yet, but we'll do it Manana . . . ." There is a heartwrenching Mother Theresa photoexhibition inside at the moment. There is also nothing resembling a roof.
Guell Park: the biggest surprise for me, because I didn't even know this place existed until our tourist board officer Monica suggested it Thursday. It's spectacular. Imagine having Gaudi design a park for himself to live, then having the city get it for a public park.
I am overwhelmed by architectural splendor. I could not imagine seeing so much. Have to load photos to computer.
Danka is arousing from a passed out heat stroke type day. Now she is making tapas, her new passion. Too bad we can't have a glass of gazpacho. I'm getting addicted.
We met a German singer in the Forum on the metro, Hilde. She had a Spanish/Deutsch dictionary, studying it carefully. Maybe we will catch part of her show.