Barcelona, Spain

Today we had another bright and early morning. We had breakfast at the hotel. Little did I know then that I had forgotten my camera battery in the charger in the room. I only realized this once we had started our walk to the metro station about 3 blocks away. So, here I was, in my favorite Spanish city, on my way to Antonio Goudi’s unfinished masterpiece Sagrada Familia, with a nice camera and no battery. I was BEYOND upset. God love our guide, Hugo, he tried to stop at every place he could to find me one but no luck. I had my back up camera and my iPhone 6+ but my intention of buying the camera the month before was to use it here in Barcelona. *heavy sigh*.

So, we moved on and made it to the metro line we needed and headed that way. Despite my hiccup I was excited. It has been 6 years since I saw the church. I was once again mesmerized at the site of it. The students had that same “ahhhh”  moment as well. It looms so tall and sprawling into the area with it’s towers (and construction scaffolds) it just amazes you to speechlessness. Hugo gave us a few minutes to enter the gift shop and then left us at the entryway (the opposite one I entered in 2009) and went to sort out our group tickets. He left me in charge (so to speak) of the group lining up in the group area. He knew how much I was looking forward to revisiting this place and i think he felt bad because he couldn’t find me a camera battery. He put me at the head of the line and had the students line up behind me and the teachers/parents behind them. I had a front row “seat” at the base of the (back facing) steps for group entry. My immediate view straight up and in front of me stood this awesome structure. Religious or not, Catholic or not, this is something you have to see in person to grasp the weight (and importance) of this place in the Spanish and religious world. It’s almost unimaginable to think as big as this cathedral is, it is not the largest one in Spain or the world.

It took Hugo quite a long while to get us set up. Apparently. as I had thought just by observing where we were entry wise, things had changed since he was last here. I did not really notice the time  honestly. It was a gorgeous, sunny day and I was standing in front of a artistic masterpiece in the works. I was in Spain, not working and enjoying my luckiness.

Finally, Hugo returned and we got set up with headphones and our tickets. The journey began. I tried to initially listen to the audio but my eyes were on fire with the details up close. Once we made it inside, I found out that Madison couldn’t hear her audio so I gave her mine to listen to. I was busy snapping photos on my phone.

The changes inside was amazing. I had looked up pictures before leaving America but seeing those changes from 2009 to 2015 was entirely different. The inside is almost completely finished except for a few small details and scaffolds in some areas. In 2009 the entire middle was roped off and workers were there and we walked around the outside of the area under scaffolds and fences to view the ceiling and windows. Today the floor is finished, there are some temporary folding chairs and the altar and some permanent benches are completed.

Sagrada Familia ceiling 6 years apart

I snapped a lot of photos with my camera and phone. Eventually I had to follow the flow and leave the interior. We went out the front doors (as these doors where where I entered in 2009 and I exited where I entered today) They are now actively working on this section including the towers (I still wasn’t able to go up the towers) We hung around for a while, walked through the mini museum underneath/next to the main church. We wandered around the church grounds and while headed to our cafe, a man and his family stopped me because they saw my Columbus Crew t-shirt on. They were from Columbus. We did the whole OH-IO and agreed we were Reds fans too. That was a nice meeting right there. Always can find Buckeyes in the world. So, moving on we ended up at our cafe called Ardevol for our churros y chocolate. It was a quaint place and a welcomed rest. After our break we took the metro to the Parc Guell area. We still had quite a walk to tackle (the back way rom which mom and I had done in 2009). We were running late because of the late start we had at the group entryway of Sagrada Famiia. The steep streets did have some escalators and a dirt path at some points but the view from the top of the “mountain” out to the city was spectacular! We got started on our tour of Parc Guell. I had been here in 2009 but i did not get to see the natural seating area on top of the main building. This community also was a creation of Antonio Goudi like Sagrada Familia.  The buildings look like gingerbread houses with colorful ceramic tiles and a lizard fountain at the base or beginning of the park. We wandered around the top for a while and then down to the marketplace area and then out to the front where the gift shop was. There was a line for that and I had already been in it once in 2009 so i just took pictures. Once we had all finished we met at the front gate and waited for Hugo then started down the hill to walk back to the metro stop. We walked along the Passeig de Gracia and gazed upon another of Goudi’s works, Casa Mila. After this we stopped for lunch/free time. Hugo led myself, mom and two of the students up to FC Barcelona’s Camp Nou Stadium. We took a metro up, about 7 stops and then walked down the lane to the stadium. Mom stayed with Hugo while me and the guys took the tour.

WOW. I actually have been in the Camp Nou. I’ve watched many a matches and here I was in the stands, in the lockeroom and on the field. I had my picture taken and ended up buying it. $55 and a commemorative book. Once in a lifetime feeling right there. I loved it. After looking around in the team shop I met up with the guys and we went looking for my mom and Hugo and they grabbed a bite to eat. It was getting late so we booked it (we did stop a few times on the way back to the metro stop for mom (it was up hill going back) and headed back to meet the students, parents and teachers.

We made it back to our hotel and changed for dinner. After dinner  headed back out to Palacio del Flamenco. I have seen two other flamenco shows and this was the second best one I have seen (the other was in Sevilla in 2013). This was like a sophisticated lounge and very nicely done. The adults sipped sangria and enjoyed a spectacular show! I love watching the movement and concentration of these talented people! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!

This was our last dance in Spain for this trip. We walked back to our hotel and had a good time stopping along the way to look at shops. I am sad it’s ending yet at the sometime I miss home, my dad and my dog. Before we turned in Madison and I took some pictures together and then i let her borrow the memory card to keep some pics. Tomorrow we pack up and head out for home.

Until we meet again Spain. Amor! ❤

Montserrat & Barcelona, Spain

This morning we had our last breakfast in Valencia. As I savored my last glass of truly wonderful orange juice (Valencian Oranges!!!) my thoughts turned to the bus trip to Montserrat and Barcelona. It has been 6 years since my first time there.

Brad gave mom and Dianna the daily pain medicine. We wandered back upstairs to grab our bags. Goodbye Valencia and hello Montserrat. We walked to a block down to the main street to catch our motor coach. The street where our hotel is was too narrow to come right up to the hotel. We left the city and soon began to see the blue Mediterranean Ocean. Port Adventura Amusement park was visible at one point by the roller coasters on the skyline. That was nice to see. I had heard about it it but obviously never seen it.

We stopped at a bus stop on the highway. These are much more than just roadside rest areas like we have in America. They more closely resemble the large truck stops like Love’s or Pilot but even then they do not compare. They are larger and are much nicer. Dianna and I ended up buying some Sangria here for later. *wink wink*

We headed first to Montserrat. This is a monastery that is literally built on a mountain. The road up the mountain is pretty breathtaking besides winding and steep. If you have ever been to Sedona,AZ it is like that only much higher. While climbing to the top you are treated to the view of the Pyrenees Mountains which create a natural boundary between Spain and France.

As you can imagine, the streets and parking area up there is pretty narrow. That being said, there were at least 7 motor coach buses there besides regular cars. We were let off the bus and made our way to the main building for a bathroom break. The building was being worked on so some areas were not open. Hugo led us down the rather long bridge to the actual monastery. I am not fond of bridges but I did not mind this one. The view of the Pyrenees, the tram train and the monastery itself. Once we reached the small little community as I called it, we stopped for lunch in the cafe there. Ah, memories. While mom, Dianna, Juanita and I were eating, one of them said the man sitting at the next table looked like Barney Fife. Sure enough, he did. It was creepy!! That was pretty funny. After we ate we watched an educational video (geared to smaller children I think but interesting none the less. The museum depicted the history of the monastery with videos, photos and relics from the past. We wandered up the stairs to the courtyard and the actual monastery. This monastery where the “black virgin” is housed. The statue has been blackened over time by the candle soot. This is Catalunya’s most revered religious symbols. She holds an orb that people can touch and it is said they are blessed if they touch it. You are not allowed to speak in the monastery either. Once we left the monastery we had a wine tasting in the gift shop for the adults. Hugo did not like the way the lady administered the tasting. I guess she acted oddly. I did not catch what she said since it was in Catalan not Spanish. Either way it was a nice experience. Shortly after that, we headed back to the main building and back to our coach.

We headed back down the mountain and headed to Barcelona. (YAY!!!!!)

It is only about 25 minutes south to Barcelona. I knew when we were coming into the city. I recognized things. Though, when I was last in Barcelona, I approached from the southern part of the city rather than the northern part. We came in by the port of Barcelona and Castel Monjunic (A fortress on top of a hill, near the Olympic Stadium). Our hotel was relatively close to this area. We were dropped off at the hotel, got checked in (and let me just say, being in Spain, my last name is NEVER mispronounced.  I love it!!) My room was a front facing room and with a very nice view of the city. We cleaned up and met down in the lobby and headed off to La Ramblas. We had some free time once Hugo pointed out the Christopher Columbus statue at the start of La Ramblas. Mom and I walked with Juanita and Dianna, bought some souvenirs and I looked for some of the places I saw in 2009. I just love that street. Vibrant, bustling with life and entertainment. I pointed out La Poma, the place me, mom, Stef and Donna ate at our last night in Barcelona in 2009. Ah, memories! I felt like wonderful and so happy to be in Barca.

We met Hugo at the end (or beginning depending on which end you started at haha) near the Gran Via (a block down) and near The Hard Rock Cafe. I asked  Hugo about a few streets so I basically knew where I was. My last hotel was on the Gran Via so it wasn’t too far. We walked back to the hotel and after some mingling and socializing we went to bed. Mom and I ended up in Dianna and Juanita’s room. We had ourselves some sangria! Madison came in, had a taste and we had a good time giggling.Good times!!

Tomorrow the long awaited Sagrada Familia Cathedral. SUPER EXCITED!!! to see the changes in 6 years!

Viaje a Espana – Coming Soon!

I have an upcoming trip to Spain coming up, March 21 through March 29th. I hope to live blog while touring the country. I do not want to blow out my data usage but I want to blog my experiences. I may actually blog it first at my LiveJournal site and then copy/paste and modify over here after that initial post.

I will have a brand new Canon Rebel to use in my journeys so I am uber excited!!!

My (tentative) Itinerary is as follows:

1. Saturday March 21, 2015, departure from Ohio en-route to Madrid
2. Sunday March 22, 2015 Arrival Madrid, Spain
   1. Visit Palacio Real  & Garden – The Royal Palace
   2. Visit Plaza Mayor
   3. Puerta del Sol/shop
   4. Free time
   5. Dinner
3. Monday March 23, 2015 – Madrid –
   1. Visit The Prado Museum (Art)
   2. Visit The Retiro Park; Crystal Palace, The Alfonso XII Monument
   3. Visit Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas (Largest Bullring in Spain)
   4. Visit Taurino Museum
   5. Shopping/Free time in Cheuca area
   6. Dinner
4. Tuesday March 24, 2015 – Excursion to Toledo
   1. Visit Sword Maker
   2. Local guide provided to tour Cathedral de Toledo
   3. Visit The Church of Santo Tome – Which houses El Greco’s Burial of Count Orgaz
   4. Free time
   5. Dinner/Return to Madrid
5.  Wednesday March 25, 2015 – Ave Train to Valencia
   1. Walking tour (with guide) of Valencia
      1. Barrio del Carmen
      2. The Cathedral (said to house the Holy Grail Chalice)
      3. Free time
      4. Dinner
6. Thursday March 26, 2015 – Valencia
   1. Mercado Central
   2. The Science Museum
   3. I’Oceanografic (World’s Largest Marine Park)
   4. Dinner/free time/night life
7. Friday March 27, 2015 – Bus to Montserrat
   1. Renaissance Basilica (houses La Moreneta)
      1.  Bus to Barcelona in afternoon
      2. Visit La Ramblas/Free time
      3. Dinner/night life
      4. Monumento a Colon (Christopher Columbus monument at the end of La Ramblas)
8. Saturday March 28, 2015 – Barcelona
   1. Visit Parc Guell (Gaudi)
   2. Visit Barrio Gotica (guided) and enter Cathedral
   3. Visit Sagrada Familia (Sacred Family) Cathedral (audio guide)
   4. Free time (I plan on going to El Camp Nou – Home of FC Barcelona – Futbol Club)
   5. Dinner and a flamenco show/night life
9. Saturday March 28, 2015 Return Home
   1. Depart from Barcelona arrival late evening

Travel Memories /Barcelona Spain

Ah travel memories. They are wonderful are they not? I have been privileged to have many travel memories and experiences. Photos, momentos, souvenirs, clothing, cars, people, sights, sounds and even food can remind us of times gone by while traveling.

As I changed my Facebook profile this morning I was searching through pictures from my first trip to Spain 2009. I spent quality time with my mom and I won’t forget that time. What a lovely time it was! That trip was the trip of a lifetime. I had never been to Europe and planned the trip with my good friend Stef. She was well traveled, even then. I had always hoped I would make it to Spain one day but I had resolved that it wouldn’t happen and if or when I did make a big trip I would have to settle for England. I know, right? Imagine someone saying they would settle for England. Don’t get me wrong, I would absolutely love to see England. But for a woman who has the Spanish in her blood I guess it was natural. Though I was not raised to speak Spanish, I always had an interest in learning the language and learning the culture and rich history. The dream of some day being able to visit a wonderful place was at that point out of the question, or so I thought.

Stef and I had discussed places to plan a trip to and she mentioned it. When we got serious about it I was so excited. I remember thinking, “my lord, is it really going to happen? Will I really get to goto this place?” Once things were finalized and booked I was thrilled. I would finally be able to use what little Spanish I knew and see the sites of Spain.

When I stepped off that plane on Spanish soil it was amazing. Though Stef and my mom knew basics, Donna, Stef’s mom knew practically nothing of the language. I was expected to read and navigate. I think even if they didn’t expect that, it would have happened. Everywhere we went the people looked to me to translate or reply. Hmm, dark hair and eyes and the Spanish look in general must be why. (Laughs)

My true “OMG” moment was when I saw La Sagrada Familia Catedral (Sacred Family Cathedral) in Barcelona. If you are not familiar with this Cathedral let me enlighten you.

This is Antonio Gaudi’s unfinished cathedral. Construction began in 1882 (Gaudi joined in 1883) but was slowed considerably for many years after his unfortunate death in 1926. The construction relied on private donations which were slowed by the Spanish Civil War in the 1950’s and General Franco’s dislike for the Catalan area. It wasn’t until 2010 that the project passed a midpoint in construction with an estimated completion year of 2026.

For more facts about this go here to Wikipedia.

Now back to my wow moment. We had gotten on the “Hop on Hop Off” tourist bus and was headed to this site. I could see it of course before we arrived. My first glimpse of it was through a break in the buildings and trees turning a corner. I felt giddy. I believe I even stood up and gasped.
I was snapped pictures when I was able through the buildings.

We arrived at the bus stop and exited the bus. You had to walk through a little grove of trees and sand to get to the front of the building. It was like the sun poking out of a dreary sky after a storm. The trees gave way and then BOOM! There it stood before me like a giant in a fairy tale story. I snapped pictures of course. Haha, from all sorts of angles. Then I just stood there. I wasn’t aware of what my party was doing to be honest. They all knew this was what I came here to see. I stood and said [to my mom, I think], “OMG I’m really here, in Spain, standing in front of La Sagrada Familia!” I was totally amazed. Eventually we moved on and found the end of the long line to tour it. I did not mind. I was able to stand and take additional photos and hear the bells chime at the noon hour.

Here is one of my favorite shots from when we were standing in line.
Sagrada Familia – Barcelona, Spain 10/4/09

So we paid our 21€ ($25 or so) and entered the Cathedral. Again I was awestruck!

The ceiling is incredible. The natural light flowing into this place is extraordinary!

Checkout my Flickr Spain album

I mostly kept quiet while inside. Construction, though not currently being done, was evident all around inside. I snapped pics and just looked around everywhere I could. The stained glass reflected colorful rays around the place. Just stunning to stand there.We wandered around the crowds at a slow pace and made our way to the other facade. One totally different that the first. The original facade, old, blackened and very gothic. Again, the wonderment I felt seeing this mammoth structure.

Eventually we had to leave, having not the chance to goto the top of the towers because mom wasn’t up to it, the elevators, and the line. I’d have gone alone had it not been for mom. I told her next time I will do it.

A funny story about this time was after we left we wanted a drink so we stopped at a little place across the street. We never fail to have people come up to us, especially Stef. LOL. This time it was mom. A short, heavy set old lady approached us and made a gesture (at her mouth like she was eating) with her hands and said, ” pobre.” She repeated it over and over. I knew she meant, “poor”. I laughed and told them what she said. Anytime you travel you have to beware of this and pick pockets so we just ignored her but it was a funny experience.

Hopefully, next year when I return to Barcelona in the Spring, I will have the chance to goto the top of the towers. I hear the scaffolding and cranes are no longer there! :).

❤️ ¡Ten cuidado Barcelona volveré! I miss you!