Hola! Notes from Barcelona

Firstly, Happy New Years to everyone!



Hope you all had great New years celebrations and that the year has been good so far. Unfortunately, Alex and myself have been a pair of sick old people and have been hacking and sniffing all year (so far...) never mind.

So... onto Barcelona... well, when we finally got there anyways...

To start the story, we got up far too early to get to Heathrow by 0630, and managed to check in ok, found a coffee and then boarded our flight. So far so good. However, we then got to sit on the plane for at least 2 hours, because of a broken thermometer... Eventually we get shifted to another plane and took off! yah! finally on the way! only about 3 hours late... sigh.

Found the bus that went to Plaza Catalanya and jumped on. Jen and Alex very kindly met us at the bus stop and we went to their apartment.

Had a great walk about for the afternoon, walked through the Barri Gotic. Very nice to just finally be in Barcelona, hanging out with Jen and Alex, walking along Las Ramblas in sunshine that actually has some warmth in it! AND it was still sunny after 4pm! Shocking!


A picture of the Gothic Cathedral, as Jennifer's Alex said, it was probably going to be the last one they visit, for us, it was probably going to be one of the first. Very cool! The next photo is 'Coloms colon' hehehe... still makes me giggle. It is Columbus on a column... nothing to do with intestines. never mind.

The next day was Gaudi day. Starting off with a visit to Sagrada Familia. Oh my gosh! What an amazing building!!! Soooooo impressive!!! It was started in 1882 and is still not finished. In my opinion, Gaudi was one amazing guy! Very impressed with the building, I even appreciate the 'new' front that has been built. It is still very Gaudi-ish but in a much more modern and cubist way. It was also nice to know that since Jen has been there over 10 years ago, they have actually done quite a bit of work on the place. I would LOVE to come back when they finish, but who knows when that will be.




The inside of the building is fantastic! all very organic and alive. The window colors are FANTASTIC!!! I can only imagine what it will look like with all of them in there.



After lunch opposite the Sagrada Familia, we went to Park Guell, which is full of Gaudi's work, and also has the house where he spent his last years. I enjoyed walking about the park, and the views were great (including Sagrada Familia). Pity about all the annoying people who kept climbing all over the reptile...





The next day we took a trip up Montjuic, so named after the Jewish cemetary that was there during medieval times. We went up the funicular (funicule, furnicular, funiculee, funicu-LAR!) and then the cable car up to the very top. Unfortunately, we weren't allowed to play conkers with the cable cars (Jen's Alex is such a spoil sport!) The castel at the top is now a military museum. The views are unbelievable from the top, and there was a lot of modern guns (Vickers) up there.

We headed back down and then walked around the gardens and towards the Palau Nacional and Museu Nacional a'Art de Catalunya, in otherwords, a great big building. After we had found a nice pub for a sammie, we headed back up the mount (using the outdoor, yes, outdoor, escalators) to do some more exploring.

Unfortunately, the Olympic stadium was shut. A bit of a pity, as some of my students said it was a really good place to visit. Never mind. As we walked down the hill in the sunshine, I found some toi-toi. So, this photo is for mum and dad :)

After another good meal at Jen and Alex's and some really good conversation, another day was over. The next day was Jen and Alex's last :( It was sad to see them go. One of the best things about this trip was spending time with them, just hanging out and chatting.

After they left, Alex and I wandered about for a bit, had a look at some shops, went to the Picasso museum (but the queue to go in was horrendous!) so had coffee at the Picasso cafe instead! We then went and had a nosy in the Hardrock cafe, where Alex found a wall devoted to Paul Stanley from Kiss.

Unfortunately, by this stage we were both feeling sick, so decided to head to the airport and chill. Then it was home, and surprise, surprise, the plane was delayed. Not too long this time, someone apparently looked too suspicious for the airport security to be allowed on the plane. Very odd.

So, that was our adventure in Barcelona. It was fun, sunny, warm and the company was what made it perfect.

One last photo for you all. The most bizarre (and expensive) fusball table I have ever seen! All the players were pop stars. With a whole row of Kiss people, who could resist?

Love to all!

P. and LX.