BARCELONA

>> Monday, March 23, 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 interiorThe 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!

0 comments:

living in Paris

  © Blogger template Romantico by Ourblogtemplates.com 2008

Back to TOP