First stop: Barcelona

Barcelona was our first stop and the place we stayed the longest (three and half days). For me it was the first immersion in European culture, and at the time, everything was still fresh to us (the cathedrals tended to get a bit old toward the end of the trip).

(Click on each image to see the high-resolution version)

We stayed in Barri Gotic or the Gothic Quater in the heart of Barcelona. True to its name, this district is the home of the Barcelona Cathedral and has a labyrinth of narrow cobblestone streets.

The cathedral is a magnificent building, perhaps a little spooky at night, especially when the sky is gloomy and omnious.


Barcelona Cathedral


Barcelona Cathedral Ceiling


Barcelona Cathedral Interior


Madonna in Barcelona Cathedral

However, a little tapas which is what Spain is famous for (among other things) will put you in a cheerful mood right away.


Tapas

There are many cathedrals/churches/basilicas in Barcelona (or Spain, or Europe in fact), the following one is the Basilica Santa Maria del Mar ("Our lady of the sea").


Santa Maria del Mar

Contrasting with the dark interiors of cathedrals is the bright mediterranean sun at Barceloneta.


Barceloneta


Barceloneta

Now you cannot travel in Barcelona without seeing the many marks left by Antoni Gaudi, Park Guell being one of these places.


Park Guell


A ceramic ornamentation at Park Guell

Casa Batllo is another Gaudi's creation.


Casa Batllo

There is more Gaudi to come, but let's take a stroll down the lively La Rambla first.


La Rambla

And you cannot stroll down La Rambla without stopping at La Boqueria to see the endless varieties of foods there. The "Jamon", or Spanish ham, is one of Spain's specialties.


Jamon


Meats

There are also many kinds of fresh fruits and vegetables.


Fruits


Fruits and Vegetables


Hot Chilis

Salted fish is another Iberian specialty.


Salted Fish

These -- heads of lamb -- may look a little gruesome, but hey this is Spain.


Lamb Heads

Enough with feasting our eyes, time to feast our stomach at one of the food counters.


Seafood

Back to La Rambla, what can be more colorful and Spanish than these Flamenco fans?


Fans

Carrer de Santa Anna, "our street" during our stay in Barcelona.


Carrer de Santa Anna

You cannot go to Barcelona without visiting the La Sagrada Familia (at least that is what the locals will tell you), the life's work of Antoni Gaudi (in fact, it outlasted Gaudi's life -- it is still unfinished).


La Sagrada Familia

The building is immense inside and out. It is also unique because of Gaudi's detest of straight lines such that even the columns are either bulging or arching.


La Sagrada Familia Interior


La Sagrada Familia Interior


La Sagrada Familia Interior

Sunlight shine through the many stained glass windows to give the interior various colors.


La Sagrada Familia Altar


Stained Glass in La Sagrada Familia

The outside of the building is adorned with numerous motifs, carvings and statues, it is like a pictorial illustration of biblical stories. One can only imagine what it will look like when it is finished.


La Sagrada Familia Motif


La Sagrada Familia Motif


La Sagrada Familia Motif


La Sagrada Familia Motif


Statue outside La Sagrada Familia

Torre Agbar is another unique, but modern, building in Barcelona.


Torre Agbar

On our last day, we cast our eyes down from the hill of Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya over this charming city interwoven with the old and the new.


Barcelona

And some wildlife (bird) pictures.


Yellow-legged Gull


Yellow-legged Gull


Black-headed Gull


Black-headed Gull


Monk Parakeet

Click the following links to go to Next Stop: Granada.



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