I must say that although I’ve been dreaming about going to Barcelona since about 1994, it has become a bit of a running personal joke at how impossible it has been to organize. There have been so many times that I’ve almost gone, most recently as a destination for Spring Fling 2010 with “The Gurlz” ~ abolished by the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajokull. So when E announced his accumulated air-miles surprise was Barcelona, I was floored. Pretty much in disbelief. In fact, it only felt real once I entered Gaudí’s Casa Batlló and started drooling all over everything.
We had a wonderful time. We ate, slept, toured, ate, walked, explored, ate, met with some friends, ate…. It was really nice, easy and relaxing. We did a lot of stuff at a reasonable pace, and filled our time so richly and easily!
I did some exploring on my own while E worked, but had no problem navigating the metro system. Once I figured out that the entrance I go into matters, it was sorted out. The buses were pretty good too. I liked the system more than the Paris Metro, easily. But mostly, E and I toured together.
Gaudí*. There are not enough words to describe this man’s work. I was listening to a headset tour guide in Casa Milà (La Pedrera) that said Gaudí’s university professor “was not sure if he was giving an Architectural degree to a Genius** or to a Madman”. And as E described it, “Dalí was the mad man, Gaudí was the genius”. I totally agree. I took in as many of the subtle and not so subtle details of Gaudí’s work at Casa Milà, La Pedrera, Sagrada Família and Güell Park. No matter where I was, I felt so totally comfortable as an integral part of my surroundings and that I could always trust where I was, in such a way I have never felt before. It was natural. Oops, with one exception: atop the tower at Sagrada Familia (my virtigo = wobbly legs (a tragedy on stairs) and a desire for repeated mini-barfs as my guts dropped as if on a rollercoaster…). Ultimately, Gaudí’s work comforts and inspires me immensely; I couldn’t have imagined how happy I’d be while in his spaces. I am a fan through and through and I totally respect him and his work.
We toured so much! Around various city neighbourhoods (Barris Gràcia, Gòtic, La Ribera (walked along La Rambla), Montjuïc, Barceloneta, Port Olímpic and Port Vell). We gawked up the Monument to Christobal Colon, gazed at Gothic and Art Nouveau buildings, visited the Barcelona Cathedral, saw a couple get married at Església de Santa Maria del Mar, toured around the Roman ruins, Hospital de la Santa Creu I de Sant Pau, inside the chambers of old City Hall, listened to the organ at Palau de la Música Catalana while taking in the beautiful ornate decor, explored Park de Montjuïc, peeked into various courtyards, the Olympic stadium, saw the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya and of course, the modern Architecture and sculptures including Gehry’s*** fish sculpture at the beach.
We peeked into funky shops and restaurants, designer and rustic alike, and ate all over the place. We ate breakfast at Mercat de La Boqueria, had drinks near a decommissioned old market, had awesome Tapas in a couple of local Tapas bars; one of which was set in an old garage – minus the cars, motor oil and tools. We ate piles of desserts (fig and chocolate pie etc.) at a posh little boutique place (where I chatted with a woman in Portuguese) and gorged ourselves with the most delicious seafood paella ever in Barceloneta.
In summary, we had a wonderful time in a wonderful city. This trip was long overdue and I loved it immensely. I plan to continue this great adventure and explore beyond Barcelona next time!
**A definition of “Genius” that I agree with: http://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html
***Gehry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Gehry
