Bye, Bye Barcelona

Today is the last day of our long journey and our stay in Barcelona. To top off my Gaudi bonanza which included La Pedrera which I visited yesterday (pictured below), we visited Park Guell also designed by Gaudi. What a fantastic public space, using fantasy, light and natural resources as he always does-with creative abandon!

The Hotel Colon is situated in the Gothic section across from the cathedral which is a great location for
many reasons. It is convenient to many sites, close to several Metro stations, as well as near a great art gallery- Villa del Arte Gallery, Calle Tapineria 39' http://www.villadelarte.com. Michelle is a wonderful gallerist who will help you find the art you want or the artist you love.

It is hard to believe the two weeks here in Barcelona are over and that it has been over nine weeks that I have been traveling. I am ready to go home, but there are a few things I did not get to do here in Spain and I could use a few more days. I guess I will save them
for the next trip.

Barcelona- Gaudi Territory

This is a beautiful city filled with lovely architecture from Roman ruins to contemporary buildings, but nothing says Barcelona like any building by Gaudi. And I think the Basilica of Sagrada Familia, the most visited site of all, says it loudest. It is an awesome structure and well worth a visit even though it is not finished after 100 years! The other buildings are also fabulous. Gaudi's architecture teacher said he did not know if he was a genius or a mad man. He is surely a creative free spirit. His buildings are unique.

Barcelona- Catalonian Delight

After a wonderful rapid train ride, we arrive in Barcelona in the afternoon and I go immediately to the Picasso Museum. There is work there from when he was 14 through his student days here in Barcelona. Many groups of students visit the museum which is great since it is good to see that even Picasso was not Picasso when he first started painting. He did traditional student paintings- landscapes, still lives, and portraits. He developed into Picasso with time.

Today we took a half day city tour which gave us highlights of the city, including the port, Olympic City, Spanish Village, Gothic section including the Cathedral. It did not include the modern section like Gaudi's buildings. More about him in he next post.

Barcelona is vibrant and delightful city. A million people live in the city with three million more in the environs. Many of them are in the cages and restaurants enjoying life while I am here. I am wondering about the 23% unemployed and the financial crisis. New cars here and all over Spain, expensive clothing in stores, people eating and drinking in the restaurants- it is a mystery!

Spain- Seville

What a treat to be in Seville, such a civil and delightful city in southern Spain! I am staying in an area called Juderia which I find out means the Jewish quarter. It is the old, charming section of winding narrow streets, lovely balconied homes with central courtyards and big gardens, and no Jews since they were all expelled in the 15th century. There are no synagogues remaining here.

There is a huge cathedral built on the same site as a mosque (the Muslims ruled here from the 8th to the13th centuries). It was the third Catholic cathedral to be built in the world after Rome and London.

Spanish Square, built in 1929, is breathtaking! Its tile work and Arabic influenced architecture made it the perfect setting for "Lawrence of Arabia." No picture can do it justice since it is so big and grand.

The streets are filled with people walking around as were the other Spanish cities but here I see more tourists from all over the world. Seville is a lovely spot filled with history, culture and fun!

Spain- Toledo

Madrid is the political capital of Spain, but Toledo is the religious capital of Spain. In the11th to14th centuries, Catholics, Muslims, and Jews lived in Toledo side by side. Jews were expelled from Spain by Queen Isabella in 1492. The oldest synagogue in Spain and second oldest in Europe is in Toledo. It was converted to a church after the expulsion, but still stands. We were stunned that in the reconstruction and reopening of this historic synagogue, they left the cross on the wall!
The cathedral is very famous as is Alcazar, both of which are pictured here.

Spain- Marvelous Madrid

Having just read that there were union strikes on Saturday and Sunday, I was concerned about arriving in Madrid Monday night but, much to my delight, I found a vibrant, exciting and strike free city. The wide boulevards, lovely architecture of 17th and 18th century palaces and other structures as well
as contemporary architecture makes for a beautiful skyline.

The Royal Palace has over 2000 rooms, of which 20 are now open to the public. Kings sure know how to build to excess! The palace is decorated in grand style. It was rebuilt by the Bourbons in the 18th century. The last king to live in it was in 1931.The present king lives elsewhere and uses it for state and personal functions.

The streets are filled with people- tourists as well as citizens, enjoying sunny winter days with weather in the high 40's.

Pictured are the Monument to Cristopher Columbus, a street scene and the Royal Palace.

Myanmar- Bagan

This small town in central Myanmar has over 2000 pagodas and stupas. Many date back to the 11th and 12th century. We are staying in the most beautiful hotel in the country and the most beautiful one we've ever stayed it. The Aureum Palace Hotel and Resort is spectacular! The villas are lovely and the service is wonderful but the views are what is truly amazing! A camera cannot capture it but I try.