Posts Tagged ‘barcelona’

La Familia Sagrada

Thursday, October 6th, 2016

If ever architecture was an act of worship, it’s Barcelona’s Basilica by Anton Gaudi.

Pillars that branch out like trees hold the vaulted ceiling and stained glass mimics the colors of sunrise on one side and sunset on the other. And the outside of the edifice is as enthralling as the inside with all the bible stories that are depicted beneath the 18 bell towers. Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus is scripted above the passion of Christ sculptures revealing the alpha and omega of our faith.

Tickets have to be purchased in advanced online because everyday they are sold out before they open. Though still under construction, a completion date of 2026 will honor the 100th anniversary of the architect’s death.

To experience the Sagrada is to be swept up and drawn a little closer to heaven!

Selfie Stick Improving

Selfie Stick Improving

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Posted in Camino de Santiago 2016, Spain | 1 Comment »

Now What?

Monday, September 26th, 2016

We are ahead of schedule from our Camino and ready to do some exploring! Tomorrow we leave Santiago by train to Madrid for three days then on to Barcelona for four. At that point we board a re-positioning cruise that will make stops in Spain, Portugal, and Bermuda as it crosses the Atlantic to New York!! It’s the Sirena from Oceania cruise line. These cruises are dirt cheap–relatively — and pop up twice a year. Our Alaska cruise back 25 years ago was also a cruise like this

In Barcelona we will buy some presentable clothes and maybe a suit case!! This is kinda a “pinch me” I’m dreaming kinda thing. 14 day cruise gets us to NYC on the 18th. Wifi available we think. Then we’ll figure what comes next.

Homesick but loving the exploring!

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Posted in Alaska, Bermuda, Camino de Santiago 2016, New York, Portugal, Spain | 1 Comment »

El Diada

Wednesday, September 11th, 2013

It’s a national holiday in Barcelona today. Actually all of the state of Catalonia. Back in 1714, this area of Spain lost the right to govern themselves (War of Spanish Succession). And they are fiercely independent folk.catalunya protest

Next year, in fact, they are voting to secede from Spain and be their own country. The Basque area is also hot for independence. Spain is a country that has 7 different dialects and lots of deep traditions and flags and customs. They just aren’t unified. Sometimes our differences can make us stronger but not here. It just makes them critical.

So nothing is open on our last day in Barcelona and there is to be demonstrations and a large human chain throughout all of Catalonia. It’s suppose to be peaceful, but we’ll see.   (it was, and very impressive/ a human chain of millions stretching across the entire state.)

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Posted in Spain, Spain Ireland 2013 | 1 Comment »

On My Own

Monday, September 9th, 2013

DSC01097_smWe are in Barcelona and Steve has to work 8-5. That’s ok because that’s what got us here and is what’s paying for it, but I am now the solo tourist.

Barcelona is the capital of the Catalonia region of Spain. If they’d have their druthers, they would be an independent country. They speak castillian, a version of spanish, and all signs must be printed in castillano,then espanol, and sometimes english. Example : exit=salida in spanish and  saltida in castillian.  

This is the land of Antoni Gaudi; famous architect and artist (more later), a shipping hub on the mediterranean, tourist mecca, and gastronomic heaven. People come here just for the restaurants.

So I organize my maps and hide all my valuables on my person — multi -pocket pants, credit card in the bra etc — think thru my game plan and off I go!

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Posted in Spain, Spain Ireland 2013 | 1 Comment »

Blessed Assurance Sept. 6,2013

Saturday, September 7th, 2013

We are back traveling the friendly skies, and for those of you who know me, know that I am a white knuckle flier. But it doesn’t keep me from going anywhere, it just makes me a nervous wreck. However I had the most amazing experience this time.

As the plane was backing away and headed for the tarmac in San Diego it started to rain. Mind you we are having a heat wave and it’s 6 a.m.! As we took off it was under the most beautiful rainbow. How many times does THAT happen?  

Well the flights to Newark and then Barcelona were beautiful and peaceful and I truthfully can say I enjoyed them. Praise a wonderful God who calmed my trembling heart.

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Posted in California, New Jersey, Spain Ireland 2013, Travel Challenges | 4 Comments »

Football Fever

Friday, May 29th, 2009

soccerbanner2Barcelona 2, Manchester United 0

soccerfansJust us 6 in Rome and 1000,000 of our closest soccer fanatic friends for the European Champions League Final (think SuperBowl)!

Mobs of chanting fans filled every imaginable street and sight (‘ cept the Vatican)  and were really quite charming and friendly to us.  No alcohol was allowed to be sold the day of the game, so only unbridled loyalty to their team fueled their enthusiasm.  Andy and Lisa nearly scored last minute tickets, but ended watching it, like most of the world, on TV.

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Posted in Europe Trip 2009, Family, Friends, Italy | No Comments »