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We meandered the nearby streets until we found a local for breakfast. Then we wandered even more trying to find our way back. The streets are labyrinths of shops, cafes, and sights. Wonderful.
Fuelled up on coffee and cake we braved the metro and armed with our T-10 pass we negotiated the subway to Sagrada Familia. This was essentially a trial run for later that day and to try and book tickets. With a queue hundreds of meters long we were told to book online to avoid the queue. This didn't work in London but it would work here. We went back to the apartment for lunch and to book tickets. We then found out you can't book on the day. So Debra and M went back after a siesta and Sally and Tony stayed and waited for Carmen (Tony's cousin from Italy) to arrive.
At 4.30 we all met up with tickets and went and had a beer. Carmen and Nicola went into the Basilica while the rest of us met with Jane and Mark Burry, kiwi architects working on the Sagrada Familia. They took us on a behind the scene tour and we were blown away.
First the model room with the latest models of the project as well as some of the earliest. Up some stairs to look down on the Basilica floor and jealous tourists. Then up and out to the external walls. Then up workmen lifts to the now empty work site, workers having finished for the day. Then up again, and up again to scaffolding at the very top and unbelievable views. After that down to the design room filled with the latest models, and 3D computer rendering of the current mini projects.
There will be a photo album totally dedicated to this!
All the time Mark and Jane answered questions and told us about the construction, the planning and implementation of this 100 year construction project. This 2 hour private tour was, is, and will be the highlight of our trip. We can't thank Mark and Jane enough for organising it for us. You guys are awesome.
Still dazed we were then whisked off to a seaside restaurant with M&J and some other friends of theirs. Here we ate brilliant food while Miranda and Tony took in more stunning sights. Namely the hunky Spanish guys and girls out jogging during sunset.
Exhausted we hit the sack and dreamed of falling. We were quite high up after all.
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