Barcelona, Spain - Better Late than Never

I write this a good two months later, so my memory may be a bit fuzzy, and we'll just have to rely on the pics and some random notes.

Spain was not originally on our radar for this adventure - Nicole and I have an addendum trip in the concept phase to visit Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. But alas, Autumn's strong desire to hear some native Spanish (even though they speak some Catalan), along with my passive curiosity of seeing some Gaudi buildings, contorted our pathway west from Milan.

Our theme song for this stint: https://youtu.be/OVO4LhrOFiY

Without much editing, there are some in progress notes I took during our stay...

- I sure am glad the family doesn't mind walking to get around. Barcelona is a great walking town and we logged some serious miles. It's too bad we didn't tote a Fitbit around with us. We would have racked up serious steps this past year.

- Barcelona, for being a legit city, sure has a lot of trees. Most streets are lined or have center walking promenades shaded by trees.

- Our home sat in front of the park along the Passion Facade of Sagrada Familia. What a splendid location to fully appreciate the Sagrada and the city at large. We could hear the hourly bells from Sagrada - melodic and light, not bold and dark.

- Why is it so darn expensive? Dumb question. Tourist trap.

- Zane says, "I like this town, it's the only old town with lots of color."

- La Boqueria, the Central Market, is really a great market. Probably the best we've visited. You know it's good when it attracts little old local ladies. The food variety was off the charts.

- Barcelona is the land of the seven story building. It is a sea of same height buildings made explicitly clear when you see the Sagrada rise above the rest like an island.

Let's talk Gaudi...
Leading up to Barcelona, all I knew was that his architecture was curvy and unconventional. Having visited several of his most notable creations scattered about town, it is clear that he was a visionary like no other.

Not a straight line anywhere. Casa Mila, and Casa Batllo.

A chimney stack can't just be a chimney stack. Palau Guell.

These two were hysterical. Autumn was trying to be so kind and not pass behind there glamour shoot. She stood there for no less than 10 minutes. 

Lounging at the Park Guell terrace bench. Again, straight lines are for losers. 

Gaudi buildings contrast magically against everything around them.

Let's talk Sagrada Familia...
This cathedral is, by leaps and bounds, the most magnificent spiritual place we have ever visited. We are not religious folk and usually feel lost and out of place in most churches. We don't understand the symbolism and often feel like an outsider in a secret club. But not Sagrada. It transcends religious dogma.  It is immediately inviting, warm, and natural. Whereas most cathedrals feel heavy and dark, somewhat forcing you to bow your head and stare at the elaborate floors, Sagrada invites you to look skyward through the forest of sculpted columns, curved ceilings, all while being bathed in brilliant light. (There's no reason to look down, the floors are barren anyway). It is tear enducing (and all those other cliche superlatives).

This is the first cathedral the children really enjoyed.

In addition to the story it tells on the outside of the cathedral (the Nativity and Passion Facades brilliantly depicts the first and last chapter of the life of Christ), the Sagrada has a story of it's own. Still in construction, Gaudi's masterpiece began in the late 1800s and is scheduled to be complete in 2026. It has survived two world wars, and a Civil War that destroyed the model that Gaudi devoted his last years to complete. In addition to death and taxes, another guaranty in my life is a return trip in 2028 to see it's completed form.

It's hard to imagine that it will grow another 50% taller by the time it's done. 

We went up the Nativity Facade. Such a fun experience.

Looking down the spiral staircase. A work of art itself. 

They are hard at work trying to finish this masterpiece. Makes it even harder when there are thousands of visitors every day walking through the "construction site". 

A view from one of the many openings looking down on Barcelona. 

The lighting is indescribably beautiful.

Like looking up in to forest....

We will definitely be back.

These are just the little details on the entry doors to the cathedral. Gaudi saw God in nature, making Sagrada a place for all living things, not just mankind. 

Sagrada is equally magnificent at night. (Thanks to our location, we were fortunate to see it change throughout the day and night)

Some Random Pictures and Thoughts:

The kids were fascinated by the tiny single person open elevator in our building.

Bryce's favorite pastime, pigeon harassment. 

Camped out on the ground behind the La Boqueria for lunch. Yummy.

Avenida de Gaudi - a Wonderful walking promenade. Had Sangria and Paella. Churros with chocolate for dessert. This area seemingly catered to the elderly, as the 1/2 mile promenade was lined with benches toting senior couples out for a chat and a bit of people watching. It was charming.

Barcelona has beaches too. A little chilly this time of year, but worth a stop.

Autumn channeling her inner Japanese zen.

Statue of the Italian Explorer, Columbus

Strikes are fairly common in Barcelona. Our trip to the Picasso Museum was thwarted by one, so we ended up making our own artwork in a random nearby studio that we happened to walk by. 

Google served up this "then and now" collage, which made me smile. 

This is a view from Bunkers Del Carmel, a 2 mile run up hill from our apartment. It was quite lovely.

All for now... Next Stop: Well, it would have been France...

PS: I left it for the PS as I don't want it to degrade from how awesome Barcelona was, but it also happened to be the place that I had my phone stolen on the Metro (the same morning of our tragic turn of events in the south of France). We will be back some day, I will just make sure that I wear pants with zippered pockets.