Day 44: Gaudi adventures

This morning started off with a cycling tour of the city to fill my historical knowledge black hole regarding Barcelona. Learnt lots about the state of Catalunya and its ongoing fight for independence from Spain. (Very current - most residents fly the flag of independence from their balconies). Also some interesting bits and pieces about Columbus and of course Gaudi.

One of the places we visited were these gardens, partially designed by Gaudi as a young man

Some old church that had young girls murdered for openly non conforming

Gorgeous streets with plant filled balconies. Min you, due to it being August, over 80% of the shops in Barcelona were closed for the whole month! So zero shopping/strolling to be done really, just desolate streets other than ones like this in the tourist precinct. 

Markets!

And then. Of course. La Sagrada Familia 

For those of you that don't know, Antonio Gaudi is one of histories most visionary architects. His most famous piece is this basilica (consecrated by the pope in 2010) which he began work on in 1882. Gauspdi knew upon design that It could take more than 80 years to construct, so left detailed plans for  work to be continued after his death in 1926. Now, one major fire (destroying many of the original plans and models) and well over 100 years later, it is still under constant construction. And it really really is like nothing you've ever seen before. Truly the most amazing art. 

Inside the basilica is an amazing mix of creams white and bright colours. Nothing like the dark churches of old.

The ceiling! The pillars are meant to be trees....

Off to Park Guell that afternoon. A few buses out of town but another Gaudi classic. 

And Blake ran in to one of his host families from Italy!!

Final night out. I hunted online and found a rooftop bar. It was very high class, and in the middle of a hotel, but I played the part and we got access to the private elevator and made our way to the bar.... Very fun to 'play' rich in an exclusive place we should probably not have known about. An awesome way to spend my last night in Europe.

Day 43: Bubbly Barcelona

After a glorious night last night - where not only did we find the arty streets but also streets with bands playing music all night - GREAT music - and also there were bars on every corner selling glasses of sangria, beer and margaritas TAKE AWAY. So many fun people, all well behaved which is such a nice chance from drunken OZ. :)

So thought it would be nice to relax today. Off to the beach! Which so infact fake. All of the sand is transported here from Egypt annually!!

And that night we were off to the festival again!! But this time via La Ramblas... The main trouist street in Barcelona. A big key down really. 80% tourist minimum and nothing to actually see!

But at the end of the street were these pretty things:

And back to Gracia! Ola!

The bands were so so good. Most stages much smaller than this (including one with a Rage Against the Machine coverband that I went mental to) and a few reggae stages and all.

Zeppelin, Rock'n'roll, just as I was leaving for the night. I said they would play it and they did. This is me loosing my mind with happiness and excitement as I predicted the perfect end to an awesome fiesta!!