Hola!
Sorry I didnt update on our fun Gaudi day yesterday, but I was just too exhausted by the time I was able to sit down and write...at uh...2am...so we are going to bed "early" tonight (prob around midnight- hehe) so I can get you all updated and post some more photos. woot!
First of all, the main two things that have brought me to Spain were the Gaudi architecture I have gushed over in my art classes and the Picasso museum I have dreamed about since falling in love with him in Paris. After more research, I have been excited to see lots of things, but those two were the most exciting to me.
Gaudi has 4 main attractions in the city here, the incredible Sagrada Familia, two smaller buildings called Casa Mila and another one I cant remember the name of, and then Parc Guell which was actually the beginning of a housing project that never got finished. Each one is just AMAZING! We started at Sagrada Familia and we advised not to bother waiting in the HUGE line to get inside since it was all under construction anyway. It was really amazing because some parts are obviously old and worn since he began building it in 1883, while others look similar as they follow the design, but are made with newer materials so it doesnt look as worn. Its kind of funny. Also, it looks kind of like a mud castle you would make at the beach, but then when you get close to it, you realize its all these intricate statues! The craftsmanship and vision of Gaudi is just so overwhelming, we had to find a bench just to stare awhile. Then SLOWLY walked around the building. It was hard for me to even take pictures because it so obviously didnt do it justice. Another reason I wish I lived here, so I could go sit over there and stare at it whenever I wanted. sigh.
Afterwards, we went over to Casa Mila and the other one I cant remember the name of. Alyssa has pictures on her camera of everything (I was in a trance. Plus, I was taking video since I thought it captured the essence more:) but shes sicky (more on that later) so you will have to do with my pictures...which do not include any of casa mila or the other one. Just know that we LOVED them and loved the fun shopping street they were on too! Got to wave to my friends Chanel, LV, Hermes...just lovely. I enjoyed taking some pictures of the pretty buildings and boulevards though!
Afterwards we went to something we were both looking forward to even more, Parc Guell. Honestly, Parc Guell is like that dream in your head you wake up all happy from, but are then sad because its not real. Well, it IS real. The buildings look like gingerbread houses (only better), the grand stairs and benches are covered in mosaic tile work and are all curvey and fun like a funhouse (still better), and then the top has an entire view of the city to just die for. PLUS there are all these singers, and musicians, and a weird lady making huge bubbles that the kids chase after at the top square with the view. We had such a nice time walking around there, and then sitting and watching everyone and the view. It was so peaceful yet had an amazing energy at the same time. Told you it was like a dream!
(an example of the beautiful tile work in the Parc. One tile of MANY!)
(Alyssa in front of the pretty sign)
After the day of walking all around everywhere, we came home for our siesta and then went out for tapas at...uh...11pm. One of the reasons I love it here is how late everyone stays up, on our metro ride home from tapas at around 1am, I promise there was an entire family on the train with young kids all awake and alive. Its seriously the BEST city. So alive. So pretty.
----------------
Today:
While Alyssa wasnt feeling well today, and before her appointment, I took myself on a walking tour of the cathedral and gothic quarter of the city. I got to see Las Ramblas during Sunday too, which was AMAZING because the vendors sell pets to kids on Sundays! My favorite pets included chipmucks (yep), pigeons (uh huh), and teeny tiny turtles (so cute! and so smelly!). They also had full on fish tanks, bunnies, mice, beautiful birds, and chickens! The pigeons were the weirdest. They were in this big cage eating bird food, and the food that fell out of the cage onto the floor was being eaten by...the wild pigeons on the street...it was so weird. And made me sad for the caged pigeons:( "Why am I in here and they are out there?! I want to fly and feel the wind on my wings!"---poor pigeons. Anyway, then I spent 2 GLORIOUS hours in the...get ready for this...5 STORY H&M. THIS IS WHAT IM SAYING. 5 STORIES OF H&M AMAZINGNESS. And I know your thinking "we have H&M at home, whats wrong with you?" its ENTIRELY different here and actually has amazing pieces you would all die for. Every floor had a different "theme" and I could have EASILY bought everything in the store and been happy. Can we just take another moment for the 5 story H&M? breathe.
Ok, then afterwards I walked to try and find this cathedral thats all hidden away in the alleys that looked scary at night, but during the day are filled with shops and tons of people and families shopping and eating and being fun! So I walked around and stumbled upon little squares with fancy food markets in them...old churches...flea markets...artists...every square was a little different and every square was beautiful! Even though I missed Alyssa, I remember walking around and feeling like I would burst because I was SO filled with joy. Everything was so beautiful, I was so relaxed, I was shopping, I got to eat another chicken shwarma while I walked (sorry chickens), the weather was beautiful, everyone was so cute and happy, it was just JOY to the EXTREME! I am so blessed:) Perhaps the best part was when I finally stumbled upon the cathedral (so glad I finally did, it was indeed beautiful) and there was the antique market there which I swooned over (again, would have bought EVERYTHING there) and a band playing on the front steps. THEN there were about 50+ elderly people dancing in circles some kind of traditional dance along to the music!!! Dont you even worry, I got video.
At this point, Im surprised I did not in fact combust out of happiness.
And now, a terrible story that I am VERY sad about. Remember how the Picasso museum is one of the reasons I came here? Ok, here goes. After the doctors appointment I was rushing to try and get to the Picasso museum during the free hours from 5-8. I didn't get to leave until around 530, and it took awhile to get there. Then of course, I got lost. And ended up in the same squares I was earlier that day. I wasn't exactly "lost" I just suck at following a map and all the little streets aren't labeled and I don't have a compass and I just suck. So then this happened: I sat on the steps of the square at around 7pm (museum closes at 8) and cried. yep, totally cried. I try not to live by the "your only in this city once" mantra, otherwise Ill go crazy...but this was PICASSO. I was even excited for their gift shop because I had all these things I wanted from it. So I was a bit of a mess. I was starving because I hadnt eaten, hadnt gotten a siesta (little sleep+no siesta=no bueno), it was cold, I couldnt find the beloved museum, I was kind of lost, AND THEN IT STARTED TO RAIN. Dont worry, I didnt bring an umbrella. So after having my first pity party of 2010 (Im sure its not the last unfortunately), I gave myself 10 minutes to be upset (im still a little upset, so my 10 minutes is back) and then said to myself, "Ok crazy, you are in the middle of a BEAUTIFUL square in BARCELONA. Get a hold of yourself woman! You had a great day, and the Picasso museum will be here forever. You WILL come again. Now cut it out."
So of course, it was then I also realized I was surrounded by a sweets shop and a ton of amazing shopping I hadnt been able to enjoy because I was trying to find the museum the entire time. SO it was time for some food and retail therapy which sure did the trick...one cup of chocolate and some churros for dipping...and 3 pairs of shoes later: A new woman.
Still had another cry later about missing the museum, but tomorrow is a new day and a new city! Off to Toledo we go!
But not before some pictures from my adventures today!
No comments:
Post a Comment