Ponies at the Zoo in Barcelona

The Jewel in the Crown of Barcelona

Once again, another experience that defies words.
The Basilica of the Sagrada Família.

I was wondering if we'd ever get to see this curiosity. It certainly is the definition of Barcelona, but suffering from tiring colds, we wanted to save it for a day when we both felt well enough to cope with it's vastness. Luckily we did. There are no words that can adequately describe the wonder that is this fantastic structure. Even the photos are incapable of transmitting the essence of this sacred place. I have chosen only a few to give you a peek. You must go.








The Passion Façade





The play of the light in all the spaces makes this a total marvel. The vastness of the space and towering edifice is just all too astonishing.














The Nativity Facade



Final details suggesting the passing of time.

Paradise XXVIII 52-51 by Dante

Hence, if in this wondrous and angelic temple,
That hath for confine only light and love,
My wish may have completion I must know

In the arms of the angel...indeed

Spain is such a complicated country. On one hand you have the quick-to-anger and just as easily quick-to-smile Flamenco temperament. You have the spicy tapas tastes and the calm of the cooling bubbly Cava's. You have the vibrant colours in the genius of Gaudí, and the areas of total ordinary grey urbanity. At the moment there is utter contempt for the government and outrageous joy over the latest "football"...soccer championship. Spain is anything but just another country. It's enormously difficult to put into words..you just have to "feel" a country like Spain.

What did we eat???

"Pernil" from our local butcher


I have never seen such a wide variety of tomatoes






This is a seafood crepe in Cava sauce...what else!


At least a half a lamb. Also Mark's idea!






Very interesting Tapas...Bacon, cheese and dates



Oddly enough, this was also Mark's idea! You can stand your spoon up in this chocolate drink.



Green Pepper things...Mark's idea








The Cava was always my idea. It was a good one!



Lots and lots of Agua

An unexpected uphill find

Some days, you just stumble upon an area that you were not expecting to see. One entire block was taken up with these two massive villas. We were off the beaten track chasing down a restaurant half way up to Tibadabo when we came across this very "residential" area.

















How much fun would it be to slip inside this little gate for a closer look?