Spain and Portugal in Depth--Day 3 Barcelona

Casa Grande, AZ

Breakfast began at 7 am and I was surprised to see so many of our group up and at 'em.  Our walking discovery of la Rambla started at 10 am.  

Jaume guided the group the short walk over to the la Rambla.  It's a tree lined walking area that is perhaps 5 or 6 lanes wide.  Jaume showed us where the terrorist attack began by driving down the la Rambla and running over people on the la Rambla.  


The light poles have water fountains where everyone stops for a drink.  The legend says "if you drink water from this fountain, you'll return to Barcelona.  I was thirsty, so I had a nice cool drink.  Do you think I'll be able to return?

I don't know if the designs for the tiles in the la Rambla will show up but every corner of the tile has a different detail so they have to be laid perfectly.  Artist Gandhi had so much influence in Barcelona.  Closer down by the sea the tiles get wild and wavy.

Jaume took us down to show us where the Roman gates to the city were.  Here's another ancient water fountain.  Walking down the la Rambla if a light fixture has 5 lights, it was where the city gates were in Roman times. 
Here, he discussed the fact that early residents could not read, so pictures were used to communicate and learn.

He also took us in the city market and showed us how the local people shop.  The open market had breads, fruits, vegetables, fish and meat.  He showed us a ham that costs $200 per pound.  

Everyone went their own ways to visit places.  The Erotic museum seemed different but we decided to walk down to the sea and take a photo of Christopher Columbus.  We had lunch with Ken, Betty, Sue and Hal.  By the time we walked back to the hotel we'd walked a few miles.  It was just about time to leave for our afternoon adventure.  

While we still had Jaume for our program director we had another local guide to tell us about Barcelona.  Our first stop was the wooded slopes of Montjuic.  We saw the sites of the World's Fair and also the 1992 Olympic games.

  

Santiago Calatrava designed the Olympic Needle.

We then rode down to the sea and saw how the beaches were added for the Olympics.  It's amazing how much a city can change when they know they are in the spotlight.

The best was saved for last.  The group had to walk a few blocks as buses were not allowed near the Sagrada Familia.  I knew it was going to be spectacular but this was so much more than we could capture in photos.  

I thought our tour company did a great job of the timing for our visit.  The evening sun was shining through the stain glass.  The only problem was the battery died on one camera, the Nikon newer camera quit and I left the phone on the charger in the room.  One of the few places where you could take photos anywhere.

Our local guide told us so much about the basilica.  Every nook and cranny had some meaning.  

Here's what our itinerary had to say:  "The massive UNESCO World Heritage Site is the unfinished masterpiece of Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi.  While construction of the church began in 1882, the colossal structure isn't scheduled for completion until 2026.  Originally started by architect Francisco de Paula del Villa, Gaudi took over in 1883 and then devoted his entire life to its construction.  When he died in 1926, after nearly 43 years of work on the basilica, the project was only 15 percent completed.

At first blush, the breathtaking mixture of Gothic and geometric Art Nouveau forms appear to be dripping in melted wax, but closer inspection reveals a meticulous stone tapestry depicting the life and acts of Jesus Christ.  Once completed, the church will accommodate some 13,000 worshippers." 

I didn't even mention the bull fight arena or the Catalonians but it will have to wait another day.

Turtle Safely........