Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Oh my Gaudi, Barcelona | Part One

Welcome to Barcelona. We rambled down the Ramblas, explored the medieval Old City and discovered all that's funky in El Born. Antoni Gaudi's work took my breath away, and we completely immersed ourselves in Catalan culture - loving every minute. 


We were greeted with bubbly upon check-in at our hotel, Alma, on Saturday, and we were beyond happy with the location - within walking distance to all we needed. Alma was modern, a complete contrast from Hazlitt's, where a fingerprint scan opened the door. 


We grabbed tapas at Mixtella for lunch before strolling our way to Sagrada Familia. 


Sagrada Familia is Antoni Gaudi's most famous and awe-inspiring work (and it's unfinished!). Everything about this Modernista-style church took my breath away and marked my third favorite moment in my life. Oh my Gaudi!





If there's any building on earth I'd like to see, it's the Sagrada Familia... Finished (2026!).



Next we made our way to another Gaudi delight - a beyond fanciful park in the foothills at the edge of Barcelona, Park Guell (sounds like "parkway"). There's gingerbread houses, a dragon, a forest, gorgeous tiles and lots and lots of color and whimsy.  




You can't take a normal picture in a park like this. We spent the rest of the night exploring our hotel's pretty outdoor space and pool and then it was onward to dinner at Sauc. We dined on many creative courses: sea foam on fish, dessert that melted away to reveal the true treat, etc. Then after three and a half hours, we rolled out of there. It was bliss.