BARCELONA, SPAIN

After a 22 hour flight, 11 hours waiting in Heathrow and another 2 hour flight, Pat and I finally arrived at Barcelona airport at 7:00pm on 11/08/09. It was about 35 degrees outside, a lovely change after coming from Victorian winter. Leish and Jess met us at the airport and took us and our year's supply of luggage to an appartment close to La Rambla, a very central location in Barcelona. In the apartment were also Jim and Cam, 2 guys from uni also studying overseas. The 6 of us went out for paella and sangria at 10:30pm, which in Barcelona, is apparently quite normal!!
Our first full day in Spain we did a lot of sight seeing (and walking). We saw Antoni Gaudi's amazing architecture achievements: Casa Batilo, Casa Mila, Segrada Familia and Park Guell. Segrada Familia is like nothing I have ever seen and photos do not do it justice. It is the only Cathedral/temple being built at the present and still has about 30 years until completion (there is still a lot of work to do!) It is unlike any other religious cathedral, all its elements represent nature so the design is very dynamic with undulating curves and odd shapes replacing the normal straight lines and geometric shapes. For lunch I had my first European baguette (something I will never tire of!) That night we ate tapas, Spanish food is amazing!
The next day Leish, Jess and Cam left for uni so Pat, Jim and I moved to a hostel. Erin, Pat's sister joined us a couple of days later. During our stay we also visited the Olympic stdium, the beach, the Gothic quarter, where we saw the Cathedral and the Picaso museum. We also saw Mies Van Der Rohe's Barcelona Pavilion, a building that Pat and I have studied. It was so interesting; just walking into it, you felt more peaceful and relaxed despite still being in the centre of Barcelona.
During our stay, I also caught up with Dani, a friend of Tim's who lives in Barcelona. He took Pat, Ez and I to the Gracia festival. It was spectacular-all the streets in the area were closed and all the people that lived there had created large street displays. There were paper mache mythical creatures, the universe's creation made from straws and foam, a street that had been turned into a tram, the list goes on. There were also performances including human pyramids and dancing. The effort was amazing.
We stayed in Barcelona for 7 nights. It is an amazing city!


A museum

Me at the museum

The view from the museum-Segrada Familia is a prominant landmark

Museum District

Pat and I at the Olymic Stadium

Pat at the Olymic Stadium

Olymic Stadium

Mies Van Der Rohe's Barcelona Pavilion

Me trying to imitate the statue at Barcelona Pavilion



Barcelona Pavilion

Park Guell and Gaudi's famous lizard


Segrada Familia, designed by Antoni Gaudi - still under construction


The Passion of Christ facade at Segrada Familia. Jess and I out the front

Segrada Familia, stained glass


Casa Batilo, by the architect Antoni Gaudi

Casa Mila, by Antoni Gaudi

Plaza Catalyna. A huge plaza at the top of La Rambla

This is La Rambla, the main tourist shopping strip.

Sangria and tapas with Ez and Pat

Human Tower and the Gracia Festival


Erin, Dani, Pat and I at the Gracia Festival