Tam’s Think Tank

It’s Monday, September 17, and we are back in Lancaster. I’ve just done a massive update to my page here with pictures from our sojourn to Barcelona. I’ve not done a very good job in that they appear in reverse. If you want to view things in order, you have to scroll down to where they start and the scroll up.

Today we slept in, recovering from our nights out on the Spanish town, and have just sort of hung out here at Mary and Martin’s house. It’s been quiet and nice. A good way to spend one’s birthday.

Since I didn’t log onto this thing yesterday when we got back from Spain and it was Syd’s birthday, I’d like to say a very happy, though belated, birthday to you Syd. Hope you had a fantastic day! Much love to you.

Port District

Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl

The last picture taken in Barcelona was taken by Karen down in the port district.

We had an excellent time in Spain. Really excellent. Martin was a spectacular tour guide, so thanks Martin for showing us around, for knowing at least a few words in Spanish, for arranging our place to stay, and for teaching us how to say grathias (the catalonian way to say gracias… we could never quite get it, it always made us laugh). We packed so much into a short 4 day, three night stay. We were there only two full days and it feels like we got to see so much. From the old Roman downtown area, to the Gaudi buildings, the Picasso museum, the Miro museum, the port, the park, and some fine cafes. We loved attempting to interact with people in little shops, trying to order pastries, tapas, gelatta, and coffees. The people of Barcelona were warm, friendly, and incredibly patient with us. We learned to hang like the locals by having dinner at 10:00, sleeping in until noon, and enjoying breakfast at 1:00. Because, you see, the people of Barcelona are incredibly nocturnal. We marveled at the huge number of scooters who went streaking along at harrowing speeds zipping in and out of traffic and were amazed at how inexpensive the cab rides and subway fares seemed. Spain treated us well, and we will someday, I hope, be able to return to it to see more of it’s sights and practice more of our quickly learned Spanish. Grathias.

Scooters And The Sea

Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl

Promenade At The Port

Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl

The bronze sculpture in the distance is called Fish and was created by Frank Gehry.

At The Port

Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl

The revitalised Port Vell.

Barcelona Port Building

Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl

Sculpture Building

Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl

There are a lot of museums up in the Monjtuic area, including the Miro museum we went to. This is a garden up in that area.

Olympic Cauldron, Barcelona

Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl

Olympic Stadium from 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

From The Hill In The Monjuic Area

Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl

A terrific view from the grounds of the Palau Nacional.

The Art Gallery

Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl

These are the fountains and the Palau Nacional (National Palace).

The Roman Columns

Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl

Saturday, Sept. 15, we headed down to the port, beach, the Olympic Stadium, and the Joan Miro museum. These roman columns mark the entry to a group of buildings that are now used for exhibitions, conferences, etc. At the other end of the plaza between the buildings is a major art gallery.

The weather on Saturday was hot. Very hot. It wasn’t so much the temperature outside, though it was up a lot from the day before, but it was humid, which to the bunch of us made it a water guzzling kind of day. Sweaty, but incredibly fun.

Park Guell Shot

Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl

Photo by Karen.

Old Hospital Grounds

Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl

Another Old Hospital Building

Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl

Hospital Building

Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl

Central Plaza Of The Old Hospital Complex

Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl

Ceiling Of Hospital Entry

Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl

La Sagrada Familia From The Hospital Steps

Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl

The Old Hospital

Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl

The Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau is a series of buildings. It is still used, partially, as a hospital today, though it is no longer the primary hospital in the Barcelona.

The Incomplete La Sagrada Familia

Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl

Facade

Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl

The facade of La Sagrada Familia is covered with different scenes from the bible. It’s a pretty fantastical representation. Wherever you look there’s something new. It’s strange and beautiful.

La Sagrada Familia

Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl

Construction began on La Sagrada Familia in 1882 and continues today. It’s expected that it won’t be completed for another 30 years. It is the last Gaudi building.

Laundry

Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl

When you live in small apartments, you hang out your clothes the only place you can, outside the window.

Street In The Barri Gotic

Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl

A typical street in the Barri Gotic… narrow, semi-dark, and walls that go up and up.

Candles Inside The Cathedral

Originally uploaded by Tokenhippygirl

Prayer candles were everywhere inside The Santa Maria Del Mar.