BCN

Just found out the homeless get 800EU a month to live on. I wonder why some of these homeless use it all on booze? Maybe I'm wrong, but if my government gave me free health care and 800 Euros a month I'd be saving and making some sort of business eventually. Not living in my own filth and alcohol. I don’t see the pleasure in sleeping outside unless I’m camping in the woods.

I've completely run out of money for the month. Still have five days here. I have food for the week but I’ve even used my metro card up. Brian is nice enough to buy me another one so I am not stuck at the apartment. Meanwhile I await my mother to wire me my next chunk, which will have to last me England and Ethiopia.

Sorry guys! That means no gifts this year. :(

I miss my cat Bud. Those of you that know my fat fluff of furry know that he's been with me 10 years now! Yes that's right 10 years. He knows all my secrets muahahahaha! He is staying with Marc in New Orleans and is getting plenty of attention from what I hear. Doesn’t help much when you feel completely alone and just want to snuggle. That's what cats are good for snuggling.

There are a lot of cats in Barcelona. They especially live on the mountains. Mountain cats! I remember climbing Montjuic I saw ALOT of these wild mountain cats. They look happy and well fed.

Well it's a fact I have a new product for 2010 in the Eco-Art line of goodies! You'll just have to wait until I get back to see them! Not only that but I also have a new line of jewelry.

You'll love the authentic details and handcrafted unique pendants in the "Amber Time Line." If you like steam punk, and gadgets you'll love these pendants.

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!

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!

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 Mataró. 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.

Adventure!

Montjuic is a mountainside with parks and hiking where you can overlook the city, ocean, and port. The weather ended up Blue and almost cloudless. It was great for taking pictures. We hiked for about four hours on 10/21/09 Tuesday.

Pictures compliments of: Brian Hammer http://hammerphoto.wordpress.com/

10/22/09

Pictures compliments of: Brian Hammer http://hammerphoto.wordpress.com/

Here are a few pictures from the flood Ashley, Brian and I experienced last Thursday.

Same time, same place, different perspective? Check out Brian Hammer's blog: http://hammerphoto.wordpress.com/

You Dont Want Me - A Poem- 10/24/09

Am I a faded memory?

Yes.
Time signed and says,
tomorrow you will forget,
another line from my face.
Forgetting my taste,
my smell,
how I used to tell you...
Love fades and new faces enter.
Yet I remember every YOU.
How you used to make my skies blue.
Vivid how I used to tell you...
Love, I wish your arms still knew-
me.
Wanting so badly your touch.
Sometimes its too much.
Such torture to my soul,
Burns me like hot coals...

The Last Few Days

Our internet is down at the apartment so here I am at Ashley's hotel typing a quickie hehe... The last few days have been fun. We have been doing a lot of sight seeing. went to Montjuic, Columbus, and have walked all over the city.

Yesterday i was raining hard all day and the subways closed. we went for some coffee near the apartment and got stuck inside for a few hours. The sewers over filled and the street became a fast flowing river. Water flooded the inside of the restaurant we were in. We saw all sorts of things flow through. the water was maybe around three or four inches deep. People daring to walk through it were up to their shins in the nasty smelly water.

Finally it cleared out enough to go to a bar and drink sangria and eat tapas. around 8pm the metro opened and Ashley and I made it to her hotel. Hopefully internet is back up at the apartment today and i can post pictures.

::BESOS::

Misty

€spaña 10/19/09

Yesterday (10/18/09) we took the train to the airport to meet up with Brian’s girlfriend Kristen. Once at the airport we got a bit lost (there are two separate buildings you have to take a bus to get to.) Each building had different arrivals and departures. Even though we left with plenty of time we ended up being a little late and couldn’t find her. Brian insisted she must have gone to her hotel.

We then took a taxi to her hotel and sure enough she was there just out of the shower. The three of us went out to eat Tapas and drink wine and sangria. Brian gave me the key to the apartment and I headed back as they went to her hotel for the night. (Yes the airport thing took all day!)

It’s sometimes hard to sleep in this neighborhood. There are people awake at every hour of the day. I wake up multiple times during the night. If it’s not people talking, or children, it’s the street cleaners that come by twice a night (conveniently at 1am and 3am? Pffft!)

This morning (10/19/09) I woke up around 5am did some (much needed) sit ups and got ready to take the train once again to pick Ashley up from the airport. Her plane landed at 8:55am. I got there just in time to see her walk out of customs. We took the train and the metro back to the apartment so she could shower and freshen up.

We had breakfast together, which consisted of two eggs (sunny side up) with the most orange yolks I’ve ever seen, four pieces of toast, three slices of thick bacon, orange juice, and cappuccino for 5 Euro.

We had a great conversation with our Pakistani waiter named Babar. He told us to watch out for Moroccans because they rob and like to slit throats. He also said the Iranians do the same, and they like to get wasted. He said Pakistanis like to work hard and drive taxis lol.

People here are very eager to help with directions, common sense, and just friendly hellos. Ashley and I took a Taxi to her hotel, which turns out to be right outside of Barcelona in a city called Barbar. Apparently when she was booking her hotel she typed in our apartment address to find the closest hotel and the Internet site gave her something different. Not knowing how far away she was, she booked it. So it cost 30 Euro to get to her hotel by the mountains. It’s a beautiful room over looking the mountains of Spain.

Then we took a taxi (10 Euro) to the train (1.5 Euro/ per person) and finally the metro to meet up with Brian and Kristen at Hotel Cram. Brian had a funny look on his face. Kristen explained she would not be joining us today because she was very tired and wanted to sleep.

After we left I asked what was wrong. Reluctantly he explained that she basically broke up him. Said things weren’t “working out.” Imagine my surprise! Awwww but seriously why come all the way to Spain to meet up and then give some lame excuse? Well I’m sure she has her reasons. So, Brian was bummed out all day. Regardless we managed to get a lot done.

We visited the Sagrada Familia. It a 120 year old cathedral that is still under construction to this day! It is the most amazing structure I’ve ever seen. I couldn’t get the whole thing in a picture even if I tried (thank goodness for postcards!) Every detail is so intricate. What a complex piece of architecture.

We took the metro to the Boqueria. The Boqueria is a huge out door market. You can find everything there! From fresh fruits and veggies to meats, cheeses, a whole array of mushrooms, dried food, exotics, spices, and even multiple types of eggs (ostrich eggs, and many unidentified eggs some with speckles, some big, some tiny with a blue tint, brown eggs, and white eggs.)

Our appetite grew and we ended up at a Tapas bar called Egipte. My meal came with fresh baked bread, salad, sangria, and paella (which is a rice dish with a mix of sea food.) After our bellies were filled we walked towards the metro stopping a few times to see the living statues.

Just like in New Orleans only much more extravagant! There are Gargoyles, Angels, tree men, a huge fat lady, Edward scissor-hands, a (fake) body with a table next to it with a head in the middle of the table. The head/guy would make squeaky sounds and with a HUGE smile make this monkey sounding laughter and a pan to throw money in would shake making a loud clattering sound scaring the shit out of people as they walked by.

Eventually we parted ways with Ashley on the metro. Tomorrow we’ll meet up around 10:30am and begin another adventure…


P.S.

Hey guys, Halloween is around the corner you know what that means right?? Orange and black plastic bags are in season! Please save and donate them to me! Be ecocentric, Go green, or whatever the F#&K. Support your favorite eco artist (me! J)

Misty

€spaña

10/17/09
Today Brian and I went to the Cathedral de Barcelona to shoot some photos. I wasn’t feeling so hot today since I drank so much Absinthe last night. :D Other than that I had a great time walking around the city. People are friendly here. Barcelona feels like any big city. It’s very diverse. Tapas are big around here. There is every kind of food you could want. I haven’t been to any restaurants with “Spanish food.” I had a three-cheese salad with fresh French bread and Sangria for lunch. It was the best! I am such a people watcher. I love to see what people are wearing, their piercings, face types, and hairstyles. I have noticed that the mullet is making a come back?? What is this? Don’t they understand that it’s never a good time to bring the mullet back?! Ack! Guys and girls please, please understand the mullet is one of the worst inventions of the human race! (That and fannie packs.) Now I understand there are pictures of me sporting fannie packs. Listen y’all, I was young and it WAS the 80’s/90’s mistakes were made.

I can’t wait for Ashley to get here! She left on the 17th (today) but wont get here until the 19th. The reason for this is she has a long stop in Atlanta G.A. but because of the time change in Spain she will also loose a day. There is a 7-hour time difference and in Spain they use 24hr clock systems. Right now it is 22:10 (10:10PM) 3:10pm USA time.

Brian said I was so drunk last night I was laughing at everything. I apparently was drawing pictures and writing then opening the door and handing them to people walking by… I sort of remember this. One of the pictures was of a spaceship that said, “be conscious, they’re waiting…” Ha I’m such a goof.

I have seen some really pretty colored plastic bags around! Where can I get some!!! You guys know how obsessed I am with my plastic bags! LOL By the way that reminds me of something I did buy today. A guy on the street was making ashtrays out of soda cans. They are very cool and ecocentric. Hint: New product for 2010??

Barcelona

Last Sunday (Oct 11th) I went out again with friends to the underground Ethiopian dance place. This time I put my new dance skills to use and danced to the mujsic accentuating my shoulders, neck, and head. Pretty cool. I also ate adish that was Ethiopian + Italian which was yummy and a very interesting fusion. It was goat cooked with Ethiopian spices then doused with spaghtti sauce and wasabi on the side.

The rest of the week I saw friends and helped clean up rooms at mom's house. I also helped dad clean his garage. In the mix I found all my marionette puppets I used to collect long ago. Mom is offering (now that the rooms are clean) a free of rent room for me to work when I get back from traveling. It’s tempting and I may consider it. I can use it to work and sleep and use the rest of my time traveling and working festivals to sell my work… Tempting… My last night in Dallas I went to work with Oasis at the Green Elephant to sell. It was a live reggae concert with a few different bands. I didn’t make much but had a great time regardless. Good music and friendly people.

Michael Van Enter took me to the airport after lunch together. Once I made my way to my terminal I found Brian and we had a whisky at they bar before we boarded the plane. It was looong and I was anxious and couldn’t sit still, but I managed. A stop at Heathrow and then finally to Barcelona. Took a cab to the Apartment. The cabbie said it was a bad area because it’s an international part of the city, but there is an elementary school right next door and seems to be full of children most of the time. I speak Spanish so I’m having no problems communicating with people.

Got in yesterday and all I really had time to do was get groceries for the apartment. Sleep was weird since I had jet lag and drank some rum. I had such strange dreams! Anyway today Brian and I walked around the neighborhood, also went to the bank and got $$ exchanged. Then we took the metro to an area we could go shopping for a gift for his girlfriend Kristen. We ended up getting her a pretty wooden box and a necklace with matching earrings. We bought some more groceries for dinner and I bought two bottles of Absinthe. One is a traditional flavour (which I am drinking right now) with 35ppm Thujone and another I will try to send back to the states which is called “Cannabis Absinthe” Which I’m sure you know the flavour ;)

My great idea is to just drink my ass off this Absinthe and draw…. Hey! At least I’m getting this blog updated! Who knows if I’ll get some art done? Be sure if I do I will post pictures!.. By the way I will be posting my pictures to www.zorpia.com/sullenmisty

So I hope everyone back in the states is doing well please feel free to comment on these posts! I know as long as I am in Barcelona I will have access to Internet, and I will be here a month so ask questions! (Grin)

Ashley is flying in two days. So Is Kristen (Brian’s girlfriend) so excited we will party and have the best time I am sure! So here it is my update half drunk on Absinthe…. Enjoy…. :D


Misty