Barcelona, Day 4

This day began as all others, with coffee at our outdoor cafe. We went our separate ways, with Keri attending an exhibit on Post-Capitalism at a Museum on Los Ramblas, and I braving the crowds at the Picasso Museum to catch a glimpse of Picasso's early work. My favorites included his "naughty" sketches and his cubist interpretations of Velasquez's Las Meninas.

We met up later to go to the beach together, and ended the evening with dinner at Vegetalia and drinks at a couple different bars, including Siddaharta, which has a lovely "red" thing goin' and the most enormous hookah I've ever seen!













The true highlight of this day though, was after our drinks, as we meandered back for our last slumber in Barcelona. We began to hear strains of "My Funny Valentine" on trumpet and saxophone. We began to follow the sound, weaving in and our of the tiny cobblestone streets of the old city, until we found ourselves near the Cathedral, where we saw 2 young men playing their instruments. We settled down on the street to observe, loving the cavernous sound of the music echoing in the stone. They then did a stunning interpretation of "All Blues" followed by other tunes.

Keri had her audio recording equipment with her, and afterwards we listened to part of it - gorgeous! The photos are a bit dark, but I think they convey the eerie, romantic, 2am feeling well. You may have to click on them to make them larger to actally be able to see.

Ghostly light

















They arrived on bike

















Cathedral

Barcelona, Day 3

Monday was the day of Gaudi mania! We started at the Park Guell, built in the early 20th century, with candyland type design:














and stunning mosaics.













Next was La Sagrada Familia, Gaudi's unfinished church that is the world's most visited contruction site. It is still very much under contruction, and entrance fees are considered donations toward the construction of the monument. This was one of the highlights of the trip for me.

Construction













Passion Facade














































Front Side


















"The architect of the future will build imitating nature, because it is the most rational, long-lasting, and economical of all methods"














Stained Glass

Barcelona, Day 2

We started our morning at a cafe where we would enjoy coffee each subsequent morning, next to La Boqueria, from which fresh oranges were purchased to squeeze orange juice to order. I lke how the orange juice matches Keri's sweatshirt!

















We then headed over to the Esglesia Catedral de la Santa Creu, to catch the traditional Catalan dance, the Sardana, which is performed outside the Catedral each Sunday after mass.














Next was the Parc de la Citadella, where we rented paddle boats in the lake, and sat at an outdoor cafe admiring Gaudi's Cascada Fountain.













Coffee and churros at the famous Cafe de l'opera

















The night was completed a Casa Almirall, Barcelona's oldest bar, with Absinthe and conversation.

Barcelona, Day 1

Before I moved back to California, my neighbor and friend Keri and I took a quick jaunt to Barcelona, Spain! What a marvelous spectacle of colors, sounds, tastes and sights. After dumping our stuff at our hostel, we set out to explore nearby Las Ramblas and La Boqeria, an amazing fruit, vegetable and meat market.
Here is a shot of one of the myriad fruit stands. Yes, it really looked THIS GOOD!













Here is an interesting new fruit I tried - dragonfruit!