POSTCARDS from BARCELONA

Good Morning on a gorgeous day in the seaport city of Barcelona Spain. Our fast train from Madrid yesterday was not quite as fast as we had hoped for, as because of traffic snarls in Madrid we missed our scheduled train by 2 minutes and had to wait several hours for the next one. Once on our way, it was fast and quiet as we blurred past scenic rolling hills. It was a good time to catch up on some rest, relaxation and reading.

So here we are for a whirlwind day touring Barcelona from the open air double-decker Hop On Hop Off red busses, ear buds plugged into narration, guide brochure in hand, holding onto our hats, snapping photos, hopping off, but mostly staying on, and wishing I had a few more days in this beautiful city.

The statue of Christopher Columbus pointing out over the Mediterranean sea towards the new world he has just found in 1492 - OUR world. Thanks Chris!

Barcelona was founded as a Roman medieval city but today is one of the world's leading tourist, economic, trade fair, and cultural-sports centers. This contrast of ancient and modern eras is vividly depicted in the architectural designs blended throughout the city. It was hard to take in the detailed decor as we kept motoring along. In the evening we enjoyed dinner on the seaside promenade and walked along the busy tree lined pedestrian mall street of La Ramble with its many street cafes, shops and living statues, which were a little creepy. Oh, just too much to see in one day.

The Gateway to Montjuic was the entrance to the 1929 World Fair

The creative architecture designs of Antoni Gaudi (1852 - 1926) are highlights in Barcelona. Casa Mila, pictured above is a private residence constructed around 1906 with its stone facade depicting the movement of the waves against the seaweed like wrought iron railings. Just a glimpse of Gaudi's eclectic or gaudy side as we saw in his unfinished Sagrada Familia church.

Barcelona Cathedral, a work of Gaudi.

Sagrada Familia, the great unfinished work of Gaudi has been under construction since 1882, and after Gaudi's death in 1926 was continued with the detailed plans he left. It is hoped to be completed by 2026.  It was hard to capture the immensity of this monstrosity with both it's beautiful and garish design. And this was only the exterior as we did not have time to stand in lineups to gaze at the interior. 

I think Barcelona needs to go on my bucket list for a week long vacation. Tomorrow we begin our 12 day Mediterranean cruise. Oh, so much more adventure!