c'est loufoque: 03/01/2009

Alright everyone who's still out there... I'm back and fully recovered from the whirlwind we've been in for the last few weeks. Lyle and Laurie are safely back in the homeland so I thought that I would take a little time to fill you in on our crazy trip!

BARCELONA

Such an amazing city! If you ever get the chance, check it out. There's sun and sand and amazing architecture everywhere... one word for you... Gaudi. For you folks who don't know, Antonio Gaudi was a Spanish architect in the early 1900's. He had a very unique Art nouveau style that can still be seen throughout the entire city.

PARK GUELL

So many steps... 400?

But the view was worth it!

SAGRADA FAMILIA

Consruction began on this Catholic church in 1882 and continues today. The church is actually only 50% finished and is scheduled to be completed in 2026! Gaudi himself unfortunately died while he was working on the church after he was hit by a tram. Every part of the design of La Sagrada Família has Christian symbolism. A total of 18 tall towers are called for. The Church will have three facades: the Nativity, the Glory (not completed yet), and the Passion. The columns of the interior are a unique Gaudi design and were meant to resemble trees.

Nativity facade- Very naturalist and from afar looks like wax has dripped across the surface but each bump is actually and intricately design animal, flower, leaf, etc.

Tree tops of the interior

The Passion facade- tells the story of Jesus' crucifiction with cubist statues

CASA BATLLO

It seems that the goal of the designer was to avoid straight lines completely. Most of the building is a mosaic of broken ceramic tiles that starts in shades of golden orange moving into greenish blues. The roof looks like the back of a dragon or dinosaur and the building itself is thought to represent Saint George (patron saint of Catalonia), plunging a sword into the back of a dragon.

MONTJUIC
The large hill overlooking Barcelona and the sea does not just have castle but was also home to various venues for the 92' Olympic games held in the city

The view from the top

Giant cannon for the lady?

We also had a chance to visit the Olympic museum

Creepy costumes from the opening and closing ceremonies... I think someone was still in there!

I learnt how to bobsled... no biggie

Speed cycling too!

Old school foosball... she'll kick your ass!

The Olympic Stadium

Kent, I'm gonna shank you with this!

Pensive?

Of course, we couldn't come to Barcelona without a trip to the ocean... Loves it!

THE STREETS AND OTHER RANDOMNESS

BONUS VIDEO: This is a crazy parade that was happening just outside our place!

Fountain of Youth?

Working the streets

Seriously...

"I'm shaking it up!"

AAAAAHHHH!

BONUS VIDEO: Impromptu singing

STAY TUNED: I still have a ton of stuff from Italia!

Bonjour everyone! Just thought I would check in with you folks and see if you're still all with me! I've been busy for the last week playing tour guide for my parentals here in Paris. We've had a bit of a whirlwind tour on the city of lights so I figured I'd share some photos with all you lovely peeps.

Laurie flying high in front of the Moulin Rouge

Picnic at the tower

The whole fam damnly

Ridiculous

Of course, a trip to Paris isn't complete without a jaunt out to Disneyland Paris! Laurie had an excuse to act like a little kid!

BONUS VIDEO: Welcome to the Magic Kingdom!

Actually, I think there were a couple of big kids!

Mickey!

Lyle found himself a nice old car of course!

Then, on Wednesday it was off to Versaille to check out Louis and Marie Antionettes stomping grounds!

The Goooooollllddddd gates

Extravegant much?... The Hall of Mirrors

BONUS VIDEO: Baby making and GOOOOLLLLDDDD!

Can I pretend like I'm going to fall into the fountain

Where's Jacie and Laurie

One of the most interesting parts of the whole tour was the Petit Trianon, which is basically the small village that Louis XVI had built as a gift for Marie Antionette. It was here, away from the Palace, that she spent much of here time socializing, performing onstage, and hanging out away from the eyes of the court and the company of her husband.

The village