A few random street shots… while walking through the Barri Gotti (Gothic Quarter), we came upon this wedding reception. these for-rent red bicycles were everywhere the building fronts were so, well, european (for lack of a better word) a clothes rack in the apartments across from us peering down from the apartment bicycles in high places
It was the first time that Spain won the Euro Cup 2008 in 22 years. (And the first time in about the same number of years that I watched a soccer match.) The game was in Austria, so the viewing location was a bar in the Barri Gotti. The celebration in the street afterwards was particularly memorable… and also where I learned the life skill of operating an SLR with one hand, while have a beer in the other. folks were lined up on the street to see in… …and the celebration starts friendly …
Unfortunately, I was only able to see Casa Batllo from the outside this trip (it was closed when I tried to go). It’s one of my Gaudi favorites.
Yesterday was my first full day in Barcelona. It was a fabulous. My friend Chris and I started at Museu Picasso. My favorite part of this museum is Picasso’s Las Meninas study… (He did several interpretations of Vellasquez’s Las Meninas, which I saw in Madrid a few years ago.) The current temporary exhibit displays the work of several other artists who have done Las Meninas interpretations. It was great. Next, we headed to Gaudi‘s Parque Guell, took pictures and had lots of sangria. At night (and this was the coolest part), we went to Gaudi’s La Pedrera for a rooftop …
On the plane to Spain, I read that there are sometimes nighttime concerts at La Pedrera, one of my favorite places from my previous Barcelona trip. After asking around, we got tickets for “Noches de verano en La Pedrera.” The musician that night was Marc Ayza – he & his band were fabulous. All & all, it was just a wonderful experience: great music & good cava in the surreal surroundings of Gaudi‘s La Pedrera rooftop.
ark Guell is Gaudi‘s outdoor barcelona park. It’s relaxing, picturesque… and a great place for a pitcher of sangria. barcelona skyline from the top of the park. (see the large version.) the main part of the park dragon euro smiles mosaic there goes the bride ready for my sangria!
On Thursday, I leave for a week and a half vacation to Spain. This will be my first "first world" international vacation in a while… (Actually since I went to Barcelona & Prague four and half years ago. ) I’m looking forward to simply relaxing and enjoying the beauty (and wine) of Spain. On the other hand, I’m so NOT looking forward to the dollar <-> euro exchange rate. The plan is split time between Barcelona and San Sebastian, with a side trip to see the Guggenheim in Bilbao. I’m also making planning on taking a lot of pictures. …
Unfortunately, the arrival home – while appreciated – wasn’t quite pleasant. Monday, my, um, digestive system started to go down hill. After dinner, it was completely shot. I had a 101.5 degree fever, major cramping, dehydration, swollen stomach, and a migraine that went through the roof. Tuesday, I laid curled in my hotel bed until 5pm. I had 2 pieces of toast and 8 soda crackers…. and somehow managed to go to the bathroom about 10 times (only slight exaggeration). However, in the evening, we had to make the journey from Arequipa to Lima to Houston to Seattle. It was …
In the highlands of Peru, I´ve been drinking a lot of coca tea to help with altitude sickness. I think it has actually helped (though I was told chewing the leaves was more effective). I´m in Cuzco airport right now waiting for a flight to Arequipa. We just flew in from the jungle, so the altitude is bothering me again. I ordered some mate de coca (this time in a tea bag and not just the leaves). The package lists the ¨properties¨of coca tea: Restorative and energetic Excellent for diet. Digestive. Anti-diarrheac action Acts against fatigue and alitude sickness. Relieves …