Barcelona--Day One and Two

I wanted to blog about our trip to Spain--
but when I looked at my 1000+ photos
I was overwhelmed...
How can I blog about this trip and only show
one photo of each of the amazing sites...
So am I going to break it down a bit..
and if you don't enjoy a travel blog...skip these!!

But for the ones who love me and endure my photo-taking
I hope you enjoy Spain...we loved it!

We flew Air Canada and were able to upgrade to exit rows for $75 for all 4 flights..
the BEST deal in the air!!
We flew out of Seattle --to Toronto--to Barcelona

Ron was able to sleep--unfortunately I wasn't ...

So I was wide awake when we saw our first view of Barcelona...

The airport was shining, clean and Empty!

We got our one checked suitcase...cleared customs

And took the Aerobus to
Placa de Catalunya the Square at La Ramblas
where our hotel was.

We pulled our suitcases down La Ramblas
the famous esplanade of
Barcelona--
we traded our timeshare points
to hotel points to stay at
the Le Meridian....

Very nice rooms...loved the red accents..
and we were able to check in at 9am --YES!!

and an upgrade to a room overlooking La Ramblas!

We were able to take a nap -(only for 2 hours)--
everything was closed that early anyway
then at noon strolled La Ramblas down to the
Columbus Monument


Then we went to the Picasso Museum...
where I saw that Picasso could REALLY draw...EVERYTHING...
and then he was able to copy every other style...
he then started the abstract style that I don't really enjoy...
but now I appreciate it...because he lived long enough to
draw in every style!!
Ron had his first paella at a sidewalk cafe on Ramblas...

I had a margarita..... pizza
(reminded me of Italy)
In fact Barcelona was a surprise...
I wasn't expecting such a European City...

Next on the agenda...the Cathedral...
This is part of the cool architecture around the Cathedral--
Bisbe Street that connects the Cathedral with Placa Saint Jaume

Placa Saint Jaume
and the Palau de la Generalitat de Catalunya
(city hall)

During the weekend there were demonstrators in the city--
protesting the economy and the government--
they circled the city and were loud...but we never felt unsafe..We had managed to stay awake all day
but we were slowing down
so by 9 pm it was time for dinner...

Earlier we had wandered by a
a small courtyard cafe by the Fredric Mares Musuem

so we returned for dinner

Our first Spanish Tapas!!

Monday....
The day we fell in love with all things Gaudi...

We bought our T-10 Metro ticket and figured out the subway system

And arrived at La Sagrada Familia..
the Cathedral that was started in 1882...and is still a
"work in progress"

Because I had purchased our tickets online
before our trip...
We were able to walk past the hour-long line
and go directly into the Cathedral...YES!

The exterior has three fronts showing
the Nativity, the Passion and the Death and Resuurection of Christ

The interior is a wonder of nature

and the contemplation of the purpose of man..

The soaring columns that look like trees

The audio guide was really informative...
even though not stylish headgear!

The stain glass was beautiful

Every detail was stunning

the detail was amazing

It's hard to see the tops that have clusters of fruit

Look at the "evil creatures" running down the sides..
fleeing the spiritual...
(at least that's what the guidebook said!)

After we spent hours inside and outside
we decided that we had examined as much as we could...this trip
so we went in search of food...
we found a sidewalk cafe...
this was my favorite lunch --spanish flauto--
spanish ham (jamon) with cheese on the best crunchy, chewy bread
(I had it almost every day!)

and this was our view as we ate!

We took the subway back one stop to see another Gaudi creation,
Casa Mila or La Pedrera
(the melting ice cream house)

The tour started at the rooftop...
fantasy...

These are chimneys!

You can see the Sagrada Familiar from here...

here's the rooftop and the open courtyard

I love this man
who takes me to these amazing places!

on the 4th floor apartment we saw the furniture
that Gaudi also created...
and we were allowed to sit in!
(of course it was a copy....I think)

the interior was so whimsical

and Ron's favorite...the parabolic arches in the attic...
an engineering feat!

We took the subway back to Placa de Catalunya--
and got ready for dinner...
We were so exhausted from walking, standing
and being"wowed"--but the night
was not over...
we wander in the Barri Gotic
through the narrow cobblestone streets
and came upon the
Placa Reial--
a very Neoclassical square
that was ringed with restaurants....

We tried the one with the longest line...
Les Quinze Nits
great food and great prices
In Spain they never rush you at dinner...
you can sit there all night
and they won't give you your check until you ask for it


So we sat and ate and watched the world walk by...
pinching ourselves that we were really here....

(more to follow...hopefully soon)