Other notable Gaudi

While I didn't have the opportunity to go see everything Antoni Gaudi had done during his life in Barcelona, you can see that his influence is everywhere you walk.  Most notably on Passeig de Gracia.  A major commercial street (similar to 5th ave in NYC), every high end store can be found here - from Jimmy Choo to Tiffany & Co.

(Not Gaudi but still art in my book)

What's interesting is these high end shops were build around two Gaudi buildings, as you can see below.

Below: Casa Mila.  Notice the wrought iron balconies and the architecture on the roof.

Below: Casa Batllo which is said to look like it was built with skulls and bones (the skulls the balconies, the bones which hold the balconies).

Off of Passeig de Garcia and just northeast of Familia Sagrada is another Gaudi site which, unfortunately when I went to visit was closed for restoration.  Up until 2009 Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau was a functioning hospital; restoration will turn it into a museum and cultural center.   I highly recommend you google pictures of this so that you can see how gorgeous this building was prior to restoration.    

Park Guell

In the 1890's Antoni Gaudi was commissioned by Count Eusebi Guell to design a garden city of the Guell family estate.  While only a fraction of the park came to fruition, what is seen here is what was completed between 1910-1914 and opened in 1922.

The gingerbread- style house is at the entrance of the park and where Guadi lived from 1906-1926, was built by Francesc Berenguer.  Inside are drawings and furniture by Gaudi.

The following are pictures of sights as you walk around the park.

Below:  a view of the city from Parc Guell.  As you can see just off center to the left is Sagrada Familia.

Below: Gran Placa Circular - an open space with a winding balcony of colored mosaics.  It is said to be the longest bench in the world.

Below:  the stop of a flight of steps leading from the Room of a Hundred Columns.  The animal heads are ceramic and as you see resides below the Gran Placa Cirular

Below:  The Room of a Hundred Columns is a covered market hall with 84 crooked pillars and is brightened by glass and ceramic mosaics.

Below:  Probably the most associated sculpture of Antoni Gaudi resides at the entrance to the park.

Que rico!

So as I returned this evening to my apartment I heard the door in the garage closing.  I frantically pushed the elevator button (yes, I finally learned how to use the elevator) to avoid whom ever would likely be calling the elevator after me.  Why, you ask?  Because I'm a chicken shit and am here to practice spanish but freak out when I actually have to speak to anyone.

Alas - so much for the best laid plans.  The elevator first grabs me, then proceeds to the basement to fetch an older gentleman, who just happens to live in the other apartment on my floor.  I believed he said six (6) to me in english so I ask, in spanish, if he speaks english.  He says no and then asks if I speak catalan or spanish.  I won't bore you with the details but suffice it to say the painfully slow elevator ride was actually enjoyable and filled with conversation.... in spanish!  How great!

And the reason from which I was returning was I had decided to enjoy a glass of wine in the early evening and read my book.  During this a gnat, not a fly, decided to partake in my chardonnay.  I initially felt compelled to smash him but then realized he just wanted a quick sip and to fly (sideways, I imagined) back home for a good nights rest.  

Oh how perfect days can created by such simple things.

I hope the post title makes sense!  :)

Same time, every damn year!

So to satisfy the blog appetite, here's another post for you all to enjoy!  Let's be serious - you all LOVE it because it's a distraction from work.  Not judging - just saying....

Today was a continuation of yesterday's "beautification" theme.  For those who know me, a big day of effort into my appearance is blow drying my hair (why bother, I have to pull all 100lbs of it back to actually do anything and humidity????? fegettaboutit!).

Anyway - today was Spa day in Spain!  Not a national event or even a promotional one like Spa week in NYC or DC.  It was just a chance for me to enjoy a day of pampering in the form of a massage and facial.  Let me just say it was wonderful.  It seems, however, that quitting your job in a down economy and deciding NOT to look for employment, rather travel the world, is stressful!

My masseuse, who was polish just could not contain herself upon hearing my last name because, I believe, she thought I spoke polish.  I don't.  As she begins the massage with what appears to be EVOO, she asks "did you say that you've been here for 6 weeks on vacation?" I tell her yes, to which she responds "you're too young (SCORE!) to be this stressed especially on such a long vacation".  Wow - who needs fortune tellers or palm readers?  Go get your back massaged!

After being completely de-knotted, it was time for a collagen facial which they say "improves facial texture and replenishes collagen lost [after a certain age]".  I really have no idea what that means but after 6 long weeks of daily SPF 30 sunblock application, your face really does start to appear abused.  By the time these two wonderful ladies are finished, I walk out onto Pasage Garcia (the equivalent of 5th ave) a complete grease ball with the inability to form a single sentence.  May I reiterate, it was WONDERFUL.  I am so relaxed!

A side note to all this - when they massage you with EVOO your skin really does glisten and take on an appearance usually reserved for Mediterranean goddesses, like Sophia Loren (hell, she's gorgeous even now when she's in her.... what 80's or something?).  However, in 1000% humidity and oppressive heat you take on the appearance of a heavy set man who's just run (maybe walked briskly) through the airport trying to make his flight.  You know the one.... he enters the plane drenched and just slightly less wet than a tsunami and you know he's about to sit in the middle seat locking you in between him and the window.  Yea, ain't pretty.

So after going home to attempt looking presentable (I'm so on a beauty roll!) I've decide to hike it on down to my favorite vegetarian restaurant - Teresa Carles (I've blogged about this on the food topic) for a healthy dinner and of course, VINO!  (My dining faux-pa equivalent to the fast food, super sized meal deal with a diet soda but I don't care)

In effect, this was my entire day today.

Oh and it's my birthday.  Damn day - every year.  WHY???!!!????  Don't ask how old I am, I'm at the age where I'll just lie about it anyway.

  

No case of the Mondays in Barcelona

The highlight of this sabbatical has been that I no longer anxiously mope around Sunday's fearing Mondays.   Today kicks off another week here in sunny Barcelona although this week is of some significance and reasons for celebration, coupled with the fact that it finally cooled down a bit, but more on that later.

Today was filled with buying a book I want to read (not work related), my favorite meal of arroz a la Cubano and vino(s) all before 1pm followed by a pampering in the form of a pedicure (and lessons in Spanish words I didn't think I'd need to know - tengo cosquillea (ticklish))  

Maybe a former high school teacher had it right, sabbaticals aren't so-bad-at-all(s).  Now back to an old film with a hollywood favorite, Cary Grant, set in the French Riviera.... from which I just returned.  Can't wait to share those pics with you all.

Happy Monday

Montserrat

Thanks to a great travel recommended by Julie Koch (Thanks Julie!) I took a trip outside the city to gorgeous Montserrat (serrated mountain).  Located northwest of Barcelona, the largest peak rises to 4,055ft and is home to Catalonia’s holiest place, the Monastery of Montserrat.   While there are a number ways to reach Montserrat, I decided to train from Barcelona and then take a cremallera (rack railway) to the monastery, the journey lasting approximately 1.5 hours (not too shabby).  

Waiting for train in Barcelona.  I do hope that's water being "spritzed" from the fans.

Views from the train to transfer station (to Montserrat).  The train to transfer station is much like commuter trains in North Jersey or Chicago to the northern suburbs.  The views at times were nice but industrial as well. 

Below:  the cremallera hugging the side of the mountain, bringing us all to the monastery on Montserrat.

Interestingly the monastery was first mentioned in the 9th century, enlarged in the 11th century and became independent of Rome in 1409.  When the French attacked Catalonia in 1811 (the war of Independence) the monastery was destroyed and all the monks killed.  In 1844 the monetary was rebuilt and repopulated.  It is now home to Benedictine monks.   

Below:  the silver line running up the mountain (center of the picture) is the funicular which brings tourists from where the monastery sits to a part of the mountain where various hikes start.   

Lunch, which was included in the ticket I bought to Monserrat.  Recommendation, buy your own lunch... this was not very good at all. 

Placa de Santa Maria leading to the monastery

Above:  maybe monks don't have to give up all their worldly possessions?  Regardless, I'm not sure the foyer to the basilica is the best place to park a car?

Below:  corridor leading to the Virgin of Montserrat

Below:  The Virgin of Montserrat is a small wooden statue of La Moreneta (the dark one) and is the "soul" of Montserrat.  In 1881, this became the patroness of Catalonia.

Below: separate room for mass down the stairs from the Virgin of Monserrat and off from the Basilica

Below: Basilica foyer looking from the basilica toward the courtyard.  

Below:  one of only two monk sightings while at Montserrat.  (4th from left)

Below:  a sign in the courtyard to the Basilica.  I get most but if you look at the bottom left, what is this?  The map I received upon arriving at Montserrat says this means "You are in a religious site and a public space.  We request you to behave and dress appropriately.  Remember to keep an eye on your property at all times".  Did you get all that from this picture?  I thought it meant maintain at least 3 feet between members of the opposite sex at all times.... guess I got that wrong.

A map of the Natural Park of Montserrat.  In the US I have a hiking partner who likes to hike with me (uhummm... Jenn) but she refuses to come to Spain so I barely saw a fraction of all this.  Maybe one day she'll change here mind : (

Below: Funicular de Sant Joan.  This is the ride to a part of the mountain so you can hike around.

Below:  As you can see - the mountain is steep and this funicular is hugging the side of the mountain.  While the mental image of this system breaking off and us shooting over the monastery in a luge fashion made me laugh, I figured we'd die and that would suck.   

Below:  I am my father's daughter.  I, in addition to the metal image explained above, stared out the window and wondered how the hell this thing was working.  So, here's the explanation.  Way too technical for me (and brilliant!).  I'm happy it continues to work day after day... and especially the day I decided to take it.

THE HILLS ARE ALIVE...... WITH THE SOUND OF MUSIC

Below:  I stopped and took a picture of this giant rock because it had the coolest nooks and had I not been in tennis shoes and a dress, I probably would have started climbing it.

Below:  seems my instinct to climb this rock was spot on; can you see the climbing hook.  You can mountain climb on Montserrat!  Who's in?????

Below: information on how to climb the mountain... I'm not kidding; I want in and need a climbing partner!  

Following are more views from the mountain.  Breathtaking aren't they?

Jenn - the trees here are just a tad bigger than the top of Mount Washington, aren't they?

Below: While the funicular was a hoot on the way up, I decided to take the 40 minute walk back down the mountain to the monastery.  Along the way I spotted the following sites (sorry to say, I'm not sure what they are really but they were cool enough to take pictures of).