The Sullen Saga: October

Showing posts with label October. Show all posts

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Since the Last Time we Spoke...

We got our Halloween on. We found a costume pub crawl (three bars and a dance club.) Halloween is NOT big here and all the people you see in costume you can guarantee speak English. It was fun though. I danced my ass off even as much as my legs hurt from all the walking we've been doing hehe. I went as a dragonfly (i brought some wings) and painted my face. Brian was Zombie Castro. People loved my face painting a girl we met a one of the bars pulled liquid eyeliner out of her purse so i could "paint" on her face heh.

Our internet has been in and out yet again. Brian is running out of inspiration for the photography book he is working on here. I can understand becuase things are beginning to look familiar now. When we first got here everything was new and taking great pictures was just a click away. Now we're seen everything and the pictures are slow to come by.

Brian has also gotten himself sick. Maybe it's the weather? It's chilly in the morning hot in the afternoon and chilly again at night. So far i'm feeling great. Other than the fact that I walk so much everyday my legs fell like jello.

It's so noisy on the street we stay. Barcelona really is a 24hour city. Even at 4am people walk by with their music playing on their cell phones singing and yelling, people slamming doors, babies crying, mothers yelling at them. Street cleaners make it sound like the world is at an end. Lot's of loudness!

This is my last week in Barcelona, Spain and then i'm off to Essex UK!

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Walking

10/29/09

The last few days have been full of WALKING. Walking everywhere! Up Montjuic Down Mountjuic and all around it; not only is Montjuic a beautiful mountain you can see Barcelona in aerial, but there is much to visit on the mountain it’s self. Yesterday we visited the Catalan Museum. I really enjoy the marble and bronze sculptures portraying sullen, sensual women.

Then we walked around the Olympic stadium and the sites there (a huge swimming pool, gardens, fountains, etc.) Today we took a four-hour hike past yesterday’s adventures to the graveyard. There was a ton of stairs!

Picture compliment of: Brian Hammer http://hammerphoto.wordpress.com/

I have to say I am not very impressed with the styles in which they bury the dead here. All the tombs are on top of each other in which you need a ladder to reach if looking for someone on top. As an added note a large portion of the tombs outlook the Mediterranean Sea and a highway. It’s an exquisite view.

Instead of climbing stairs to get back (you can really get lost there) we decided to hike around the mountain. Unfortunately the walk was right next to a highway of on coming traffic. Safely we made it back in time to have sangria and a bite to eat.

We made it to La Concha again tonight. I had a coffee and hookah. Tonight just didn’t quite have the same atmosphere as last week, and we left after an hour or so. Don’t get me wrong I love this place! If you’re ever in Barcelona, it’s a must experience, and on my top ten.

I can no longer ignore how my blondish hair and green eyes are a problem when I travel. It’s been pointed out to me many times over, but I some how always seem to pacify it. I am consciously going to remind myself not to overlook it anymore. Traveling in Mexico growing up every year I loved the attention it brought me. Now I really don’t want the attention.

Memorandum: Geez do I need a massage!

Monday, October 26, 2009

Gaudí

10/23/09

Antoni Plàcid Guillem Gaudí i Cornet (25 June 1852–10 June 1926)

Had an enchanting time exploreing Palau Guell

1878–1879: Lampposts for the Plaça Reial at Barcelona;

1878: Showcase for glove manufacturer Comella. Via this work, used at the World's Fair in Paris, Eusebi Güell came to know the architect.

1878–1882: Several designs for the Obrera Mataronense at Mata ró. Only a very small part of these plans was built, but it shows Gaudí's first use of parabolic arches, here in a wooden structure.

1883–1885: Casa Vicens;

1883–1885: Villa "El Capricho" at Comillas (Santander);

1884: Finca Güell: Entrance pavilion and stables for the palace at Pedralbes (first completed building for Eusebi Güell);

1884–1891: Completion of the crypt of the Sagrada Família (the crypt had been started by the architect Francisco del Villar in 1882, who had to abandon the project in 1883);

1885–1889: Palau Güell;

1887–1893: Episcopal palace at Astorga

and his most famous works:

Casa Vicens (1884–1885)

Palau Güell (1885–1889)

College of the Teresianas (1888–1890)

Crypt of the Church of Colònia Güell (1898–1916)

Casa Calvet (1899–1904)

Casa Batlló (1905–1907)

Casa Milà (La Pedrera) (1905–1907)

Park Güell (1900–1914)

Sagrada Família Nativity façade and Crypt of the Sagrada Família church (1884 until his death in 1926, although still under construction as of 2009)

Ashley, Brian, and I came back to the apartment to change in to nightwear. We took a trip to the Fairy Bar called "El Bosc de las Fades" Drank on Sangria and listen to the occasional thunderstorm and watch as the dim lights flickered to evoke a lightning effect.

We stumbled upon La Concha, a hookah bar run by cute gay guys that pay homage to Sara Montiel on its walls. After hookahs, dancing to Spanish music, and a few free drinks from the awesome waiter we decided to take ourselves home. It was Ashley’s last night in Barcelona.