Day 3

Where to start....wow.

So...last post we had been to Cathedral Barcelona, and Parc Güel. We had tried to visit Sagrada Familla that morning, but arrived too close to noon and the line was around the block. We suspected this would happen, Mr. Travel Book had informed us that the best time to arrive, is first thing. So change of plans and we went on.

Thursday morning we attempted the Familla again. This is Gaudi´s masterpiece, according to him. It was started forever ago and is still in construction. It´s a weird looking, huge church that is very classic Gaudi style. The book best describes it as wedding cake in the rain. That´s pretty accruate. It´s so over done and then looks like it´s melting. The whole outside of the church is depictions of the life of Christ. In a very modernistic, abstract way. Interesting, but odd. We arrived right at 9, but it was Good Friday and there was a service going on outside the church, inside the gates. So we had to wait until 10 to go in. Toured the small school that Gaudi built for the children of the workers, and the museum under the church...showing the stages, progression and construction era´s the church has been through. Sat outside the one side, where the benches have been set back so you lean back to take in the whole buiding. Then up the elevator to the top of one spire. Then you go round round round the stairs all the way down. These little stair cases are not made for the chubby, the easily dizzy or those tending to have vertigo. Wow, tight and steep. But very worth the scare. You´re way up, so also not for those afraid of heights. You finish in the main cathedral, very much under construction and covered in scaffolding. And for me, disappointing. It´s huge, and when finished will showcase surround stain glass, but really wasn´t to my liking. Very interesting, Gaudi definately had a vision far beyond his time. But we prefer the Gothic look for churches. Would not have missed it, worth the trip and the fee to enter....but not awe inspiring like Cathedral Barcelona.

We went on walk through the shops around the block. Very little was open. Good Friday is a holiday, of course, and nothing is really open. Maybe some restaurants. They eat on their holidays, not shop. We sat at a cafe in the square next to the church, had squid and fried mushrooms. Soaked up the sun, it was quite nice...and watched the locals.

Back on the subway and on to Montjuic...the Jewish Mountain. Take the subway, then transfer to the Funicular. Sort of a subway car that slowly goes up a hill, but didn´t have a view, so not that great.

At the top, that area is quite large and you basically walk where ever, seeing the gardens as you go. We wandered down through a big water fountain, that led into a Greek Garden, which had an amphitheatre. There was a 2 year old having a tantrum there because her dad was playing soccer with her brother at the bottom, the acoustics worked well. Could hear the crying all around, surround sound.

We were in no rush and wandered where our feet took us. While walking we saw a big castle looking building in the distance and decided to wander that way. It was also huge, everything seems to be huge here. Way up on another hill, so the outdoor escalators are handy. These are most everywhere, and very nice. We could hear Spanish Guitar music in the distance, and noticed a crowd. We had found the Catalan Art Museum. Outside is where Gaby is the busking king and plays a mean Spanish Guitar. It was delightful. Sit with at least 100 other people, on the front steps of the museum, in the sun and light breeze off the ocean...listening to the beautiful Spanish Guitar. This is what I wanted this trip to be. Hard to make your brain stop and enjoy the moment. Casey wandered off to take pictures and returned with an ice cream for me...what a guy. Sat there for over an hour. Gaby makes a decent living busking at the museum. Between his CD sales, which sit in his open bag for donations, he also takes tips. We suspected he makes over 300€-day. Not a bad living to do what you love, and get a tan to boot. We bought one of his CD´s...can´t wait to make dinner at home to the sounds of Catalan Spain.

Our feet are way done by this points, have walked them off our tired legs. As we head toward the subway, which I must point out...we are pro´s at by now. We find that the front area of the museum goes on for blocks and blocks, down down down in different layers of large fountains. They are not on today, as it´s a holiday, but at night they are on and lit up...we´re coming back tomorrow to see that.

Subway home, rest for 1/2 hour and then off again.

We had over heard a guy in line at Sagrada Familla say that there was a Catholic procession going on at 5 from Cathedral Augustine. It´s Easter weekend after all. So we head out to see what that´s about. OMGOSH!!!! We found the right place, there are thousands of people in the square and lining the streets. Nothing is on yet, but there is definately something about to happen. We find the best spot we can, the crowd is 5-6-7 deep in spots. Casey is ready with his camera, and we hear the drums and the crowd cheer. This processions is beyond anything I´ve ever seen, only when we upload the pictures will you be able to see the amazement that is a Catholic celebration of Easter. Costumes and drums, incense and candles, huge float type contraptions being carried by men underneath. The first one with a Christus carrying the cross, the next one of the virgin Mary. The floats, though that´s not at all what they were, but the closest I can compare them too, are wider than the space allowed by the crowds. So the police line the side and make everyone back up when it goes by. It´s quite slow, and in over an hour that we stayed, it progressed only a block. The white horses at the front are supposed to ´make way¨. But they don´t do it quickly...but this is Europe...nothing is done quickly.

When this proccession is finished we go into the church where it started. It was nothing special, big but not impressive. They were about to start their Easter Service, so we took a bench. This church was attended by what looked like mostly a Philipino congregation. All in Catalan, and very slow. No mistaking the ¨let us pray¨....they all went down on a knee. We did as well, since we had sat right in the middle and felt we should be repectful. On bended knee is ouchy, I must say...I got tired of it and slid my bottom up on the bench again. Casey toughed it out.

Walked home, had a small dinner and stayed in for the night. Our legs and feet are revolting and we cannot walk any further.

So, more points to ponder about Spain...

If you are homeless, with the cardboard sign asking for donations and Mucho Gracias...you might also have an Ipod under your blanket.

Nakedness is not a problem, it´s not illegal and can be demonstrated anywhere as long as it doesn´t cause a distrubance. Huh? How can it NOT cause a disturbance?

There are condom machine´s on the walls of the building...likely because of the ´nakedness is not a problem´

The condoms say... I love Barcelona. Alrighty then...

Peep shows are available and advertised. Though if nakedness is not a problem...why do you need to peep? Just go outside.

That being said, we have not seen any naked live people...the statues though, they are of the opinion that if you are a statue you do not need clothes. They are all...ALL in one form or another of undress.

Catalan is different than Spanish, if only slightly. We have noticed a sort of lisp on some words. C´s are Th...as well as Z. V is a B sound. So instead of Gracias por Favor...it´s Grathias por Fabor. Slight gay sounding, to be frank.

This is then accentuated by scarves. If you are European you have a scarf. I understand this, I own a few scarves myself. Quite like them, trendy fun and colorful. Everyone wears them...everyone. Old, young, men, woman. You have a scarf. Casey has a pink sparkly one now...

The temperment of the people is very even. Don´t really get excited about anything. There´s not a lot of honking or road rage, no one is in a rush, seems to always be sauntering where ever they go.

The women are very exotic looking, and very natural. Very little makeup and hairspray...they show their personality and style with their outfit. Very classic, Casey´s pretty taken with them.

They are not annoyed by our lack of language. Try hard to understand us, and help with what we need. Some have a little English, some none, we get by.

There are not distinct offices, everybuilding is 7 stories high. High enough for business at the bottom, residence at the top...but not too high that you need an elevator.

Cell phones work anywhere, even in the subway. Likely due to the mondo cell phone towers on the hills.

Condiment stations in a restaurant, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper.

Liquor, yes...anywhere anytime. Sat with a guy at Parc Güell that sat down, took off his shoes and socks, took out his sandwich and rather large bottle of wine...and settled in for the afternoon. There is red and white wine on tap in our 24 hour buffet.

There are huge road side recycling bins on every street. Garbage cans every 50 feet, constant sweeping and road cleaners. A clean city for sure.

This country has Chocolate Tree´s. CHOCOLATE TREE´s!!! More to follow on that, it needs a picture.

The climate is even and predictable. Cloud and muggy in the morning, sun comes out at 1. The breeze starts around the same time and stays just like that until 7 when the sun sets. It´s not overly humid, I´d say about 2/10 on the frizzy hair scale.

Today we´re having a slow day. It´s our last full day in Barcelona. Found a laundromat this morning and did a load. Talked for a 1/2 hour with Sabina from Montreal who was also doing her laundry. She´s on a three month sabatical, touring Europe by herself.

Home for lunch and a feet rest. Plan on some shopping this afternoon. Tonight the travel books says there might be a traditional Catalan dance in front of the Cathedral, and then we´re going to see the lit fountains at the Art Museum.

When we were looking for the laundromat this morning, it was funny how we just wander now. We have our bearings and know pretty much where we are.

Barcelona Spain - check!