Day 58 - Barcelona Sights, Sounds & Smells

Barcelona is a city that grabs and immerses you in its vibrant pulse. It’s loud and brash. Sirens blaring, taxis and motorcycles buzzing and the big wide footpaths are pathways of people either going with you or against you. People speaking load and fast and seemingly not making any sense and always with such passion and animated gestures! It’s really in your face. I just wonder why so many people are out and about and not working or at school - then I think well a lot will be just like me - tourists or visitors etc. I know it’s like this in any major city - I guess for me it’s something I’ve never had a lot of exposure to - so it can be a bit overwhelming. But I just press on and go with the flow - trying to sync to the pulse.
My Park Guell entry isn’t until 1pm so I’ve got time in the morning for a fast walk to the Museu Nacional D’Art De Catalunya in the Montjuic precinct. A most impressive building on top of a hill and showcasing a very high calibre mix of art. Great views of the city and a beautiful series of waterfalls and fountains cascading down towards the city. I followed the water features downtown to the nearest metro and easily within a few minutes had directions/instructions my ticket and on a train that in 8 stops would have me diagonally across the city and within 10 walk to Park Guell. Easy peasy!!
Park Guell is another tribute / creation inspired by Gaudi. It’s basically a big garden with paths etc and an area where Gaudi’s signature architecture and art and sculpture meld into unique structures where you won’t find any rectilinear forms. All shapes of walls, columns, windows, roofs - every structural and built element - there’s not a 90 degree joint anywhere. This is his interpretation of nature - where supposedly the same rule applies. I haven’t fact checked that yet. So again a nightmare to construct - but beautiful to look at and certainly aesthetically appealing - seems nature figured that out eons ago. The place was busy with tourists and guided groups. It was a little disappointing in that much of it was closed off - significant upgrades to drainage systems by my observations. The Park is on a hill and has fantastic views over the city and the coast.
I stayed for just under a couple of hours then made my way back to the city on the metro again. I’m now parked up in an Irish Pub having another IPA. Yesterday woke the bear in me haha. I’m in the “Gothic Quarter” of the old city. Pretty groovy and nice vibe. Went to the local market and tasted some local foods. I wasn’t too exotic in my choices - but enjoyed the freshness. I had a savoury pastry filled with mushrooms, olives and cheese then washed it down with a Dragonfruit and Coconut fresh juice.Read more