Spain
Eixample

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    • Day 4

      The meaning of private

      September 20, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

      We arrived to our accommodation in Barcelona to discover that private room has a slightly different meaning here. What is meant by private is "not a dormitory", so you get a door o your room but no lock. Be caèful booking self catering in Barcelona and unless the listing specifically mentions door locks the room probably doesn't have any. A quick search on Booking.com and a much better place was found and booked just 9 mins away and although it is a hotel it will do for our stopover in Barcelona.Read more

    • Day 6

      Cinque Fotografies-Barcelona Day 1

      April 19, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

      We arrived in Barcelona after a five-hour departure delay from NYC due to an electrical failure in our first plane. This was fortuitous ultimately as the flight lined up better with adjusting sleep schedules.

      We navigated airport customs and health checks without a problem, and Jim C figured out the metro system to get us to our hotel.

      After a nap, we wanted to see about getting clothes laundered at a nearby "tintorería". Initially I made an inquiry in English about getting clothes laundered. The proprietor clearly didn't know English, and I decided it was time to try out my stumbling Spanish. Her face lit up when she saw me make the effort and between us we navigated what we needed.

      We love the tree-lined streets and the cafés peppered through the neighborhood. We learned that crosswalks give a very short warning before cars, scooters and motorbikes come your way.

      We're touring La Sagrada Familia tomorrow, but we wanted to take a stroll that way and to get more familiar with the metro and bus systems. We wandered through the neighborhoods and had our first dinner.

      Our biggest takeaway from Day 1 in Europe is that we're going to embrace the luxury of getting to learn about the culture and the people, and we'll dare to make an effort and risk making mistakes. We don't need to fill the days with bucket list scheduling. The treasure of this experience is to just be and get a sense that we're one.
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    • Day 7

      Cinque Fotagrafies-Barcelona Day 2

      April 20, 2022 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 13 °C

      We toured La Sagrada Familia today. The experience is so amazing to witness the vision of the famous architect Gaudi who worked on this masterpiece for over forty years of his life that ended in an accident. He is buried in a crypt below the main floor of the church.

      We saw workers carrying forward the dream of this masterpiece, a completion that hasn't occurred over 140 years later.

      As we learned about Gaudi's life, I was left to wonder what it's like to act on a dream whose completion he wouldn't see. Yet, I'm reminded that parents and teachers often commit to that kind of vision: to commit to a future that they may not witness, but those who do well make a difference without knowing what the future holds for those who live beyond them.

      My takeaway is that perhaps it's good to remember that investing in the common good may not transform into a better world tomorrow, but who knows the difference it could make 140 years from now. I think it's worth a go. Hope.
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    • Day 17

      Day 14 - Barcelona (post Camino)

      October 10, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

      What a day! Today, I experienced La Sagrada Familia (the Holy Family) and Casa Mila, locally known as 'La Pedrera' (literally 'the stone' but named as such because the locals thought it looked like a quarry). I also walked around the Gothic quarter at a little bit but had to return to my room to recharge my phone (after having taken so many photos)! My eyes flooded with tears as I saw the exterior of Gaudi's genius for the first time up close. No pictures could prepare me for the brilliance of his work. Once I got inside, I was overcome by the sheer magnitude of the structure. But more than that; I have never been in a church more fit for purpose - the glorification of God. I went up the Torre de la Pasion (Passion Tower) and was so glad I did. Casa Mila was also fantastic. It is sun filled and cool and, obviously, incredibly beautiful. I learnt two things today; a church is made a Basilica by the Pope and Gaudi invented the first underground carpark in an apartment complex - Casa Mila was built in 1906 and so hosted both cars and carriages.Read more

    • Day 18

      Day 15 - Barcelona (post Camino)

      October 11, 2023 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 22 °C

      Another lovely day in Barcelona. Today, I walked just over 25 km. My first stop was Park Guell (I was there for hours with masses of people), then, after chancing upon another of Gaudi's houses (Casa Vicens) and a phone recharge (again, so many photos), I got to see more of the Gothic quarter as I visited the Picasso Museum and the Moco Museum (modern art). All three are 'must sees'. It was a genuine joy to see more of Gaudi's work as well as my first real life Banksy and a bronze piece by Dali (amongst many other amazing works). I clutched my bag and kept checking that I still had my watch the entire time I was in the Gothic quarter LOL.Read more

    • Day 21

      Day 18 - Barcelona (post Camino)

      October 14, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

      I've run myself ragged over the past five days, trying to fit everything in. So, today, I took it a lot easier. I visited the Palau de la Musica Catalana, the Cathedral, and ended my evening at Casa Sors to immerse myself in the Spanish art of Flamenco. Opulent is the best word I can use to describe the Palau de la Musica. Everywhere you looked in that building was a feast for the eyes! The stand out feature is the skylight - I have never seen anything so impressive and beautiful. The Cathedral was wonderful, and I highly recommend the audio tour and the lift to the rooftop. They keep 13 geese in the cloister to protect the building. And have a piece called the Monstrance, which contains the largest gemstones I have ever seen (no photos allowed in that section). I even got to see a small Matisse exhibition at the Cathedral. All for the modest price of 11€. The Flamenco performance blew me away. The guitar, the voice, and the feet all work together so well. I had no idea that the feet played the role, as well as the finger clicking of a third (and fourth) instrument. I met a lovely couple from Massachusetts there: Doreen and Herb.Read more

    • Day 9

      Park Guell

      October 18, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

      After a long day of walking, I forgot to post a few impressions of Park Guell, a beautiful space on a hill at the edge of Barcelona. Gaudi created this beautiful and large park in collaboration with Eusebi Guell a wealthy industrialist. The original plan was for a 60 home development, but the residents never materialized, so the space eventually became a public park. Our gain! It’s a whimsical and relaxing space surrounded by trees that were planted intentionally. Supposedly only one tree was present on the site at the time of construction. Guell added the whole landscape around Gaudi’s creations.

      Several of the spaces have a cave theme complete with stalactites of native rock. The shape of palm trees is a theme within the work here as they are said to have religious significance for Catholics in particular.

      What a relaxing space to visit and get in some serious ‘steps’.
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    • Day 5

      Casa Batlló

      July 8, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

      Casa Batlló is one of the most interesting, beautiful, and creative places of the trip so far. It was a great way to start our Gaudi's day. The exhibition was a mix of 2 digital experiences and an audioguide with AR complement using a tablet. The guide helped us understand the story and design elements of the house in a playful way (e.g., pointing the tablet to a window in the main hall would show a turtle to highlight the inspiration behind it). The tablet also allowed us to visualize how the different rooms looked like when the house was originally built and inhabited by the Batlló family and few residents.

      Each room was unique, and we could also experience some of the furniture designed by Gaudi for the house. Is a playful and gorgeous piece of architecture inspired by the sea, salamanders, rain, plants, and many other natural elements. It is a really unique experience, and there may be nothing else like it in the world.

      We got some orange juice and a coffee on the top of the building, and then we finished our tour and headed out to see other modernist buildings on the same block. Finally, we took a bus to Park Guell, where Gaudi created a unique public space while exploring how to alter known shapes and structures (like aqueducts and gardens) in unique ways.
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    • Day 3

      Barcelona day 2

      September 7, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

      One more day of exploring Barcelona. We went to Sagrada Familia, a Catholic Church built by Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi. It is the largest unfinished Catholic Church in the world. Ground breaking was in 1882, expected completion date is 2026. We also went up Montjuic which is apparently the birthplace of Barcelona. We had sweeping views of the Mediterranean and the city of Barcelona. And of course we enjoyed our drinks and tapas. Tomorrow we are making are way to St Jean Pied de Port, France where will will spend the night then begin our Camino on Saturday.Read more

    • Day 8

      Tag 8: Sightseeing in Barcelona

      September 14, 2019 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

      Heute haben wir uns einen freien Tag gegönnt und Barcelona besichtigt. Was für eine tolle Stadt! Abends sind wir zum Hafen gefahren und dann ging es zur Abwechslung mal wieder zum Campingplatz und wir haben die Nacht im Dachzelt verbracht. Bei angenehmen Temperaturen und Meeresrauschen im Hintergrund war das eine gemütliche Nacht. Und morgen geht es in die Wüste...Read more

    You might also know this place by the following names:

    Eixample, Eixample de Barcelona, Εσάμπλε, Distrito del Ensanche, EixampleBCN-projecteRovira.jpg|250px|miniatyr|höger|'''Antonio Rovira i Trias stadsplan'''., אישמפלה, アシャンプラ, Distrikt Ensanche, Districte de lEixample, Eixample distritu, Эшампле, Ашямпла, 扩展区

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