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I just realized that I haven't stepped on grass in a while, like for this whole trip. So, I am presently laying on a patch of it at the top of Montjuïc, a mountain that overlooks Barcelona. This is my last day in Barcelona and I've come here to the mountain to see the city from a different vantage point. There's something about seeing a city you have spent countless hours wandering and being lost in, from above. It reminds me of how small and essentially insignificant my existence is. However, this trip to Barcelona has been anything but insignificant for this little ant. The city is chalked full of the most eclectic and interesting city dwellers that I have seen on my travels to date. It's easy for me to see how people become captivated by Barcelona, move here and then let the city hold them for years at a time.
Alright, so, my last 2 days in a nutshell...
Yesterday I attended a yoga class, entirely in Spanish, at a little studio down the road from where I'm staying. After that I audio guided myself through Gaudi's Sagrada Familia... have you people been there? It's insane. Top church, wait a minute... top place I've ever been too. Moved my little unreligious soul to tears. In the evening I toured the Palua de la Musica, another great highlight. This small functioning theatre by architect Domènech i Montaner is the ipidemny of Catalan modernism and as with all other buildings here, it is full of stories and history. After that we (my flat mate and I) went to a show in the rehearsal room of the theatre (because it is August they are on holiday from doing shows in the big theatre). It was an amazing flamenco show with a dancer, pianist, guitar player and castanet player/dancer... castanetist?! The group was stunning and came out for an encore. The dancer's passion was incomparable.
Today, I started with a yoga class, in English this time, and then went up to see some of Gaudi's residential work. I saw the Casa Mila La Pedrera from the outside and toured the Casa Batlló, audio guide in hand. His work is so unique and I am drawn to the curious shapes that he weaves into his designs. And now, here I sit after a trip to La Boqueria market (basically a Spanish Granville Island). I'm going to take the funicular (cable car) back down the mountain and tuck into a nap at home before tonight. My flatmate and I came across tickets to the Barcelona/ Madrid game tonight and it should be a very action packed evening... so I need to rest up. This is the opening leg of the Spanish Super Cup and apparently there was an 'eye poking' incident at the end if last season... so thongs are heated. I love a good bit of sports drama!
So I have definitely settled in and settled down to traveling on my own (as you all knew and said I would). Tomorrow I leave for my last destination... the ever elusive island of Ibiza. I want nothing more that to lay on the beach for 4 days straight because I am exhausted! BUT another adventure will undoubtedly find me.
- comments
Marilyn Your holiday sounds terrific, so varied. And one to remember. I'm glad to hear about it! I wanted to tell you about when we were in Barcelona a few years ago (43). We camped on that big sandy beach near the city and a woman came and took our laundry only to bring it back clean and pressed. I kept repeating 'for 35 pasadas (sp?) she took it away. after so much camping it was the ultimate service. Oh and wine bottle refils were 25 cents.
Cedric Sagrada Familia.... best place ever, how could it be possible to imagine so beautiful church.... Difficult to found words (with my poor "english") ... So Gaudi a Genious "Naturally" :)
sara wow, that sounds fabulous! oh my. and four days in Ibiza! you planned the perfect trip
Jody Wawryk sooooo jealous of your excursion to the game. I also went to Gaudi's amazing structures, did you visit the park at the top of the city? I also stayed almost right across from that "Granville island" lookalike market, funny how they overprice everything and stack the fruit the same. Awesome you went to a yoga class in spanish, i can't wait to do that en francais :)