day 10: you are here for a reason

i forgot to mention some notable differences between france and spain, well at least barcelona. 

there are flip flops. everywhere. 

hell, some arent even wearing shirts. 

and  people lounge all over the parks whereas in paris there were designated grassy lawns for such things. 

in barcelona, AKA barcino (the romans used to call it back in the day),

[see.]

it seems more people are shamelessly (and some proudly) waving their freak flags. 

we all have that 'freak' facet - it may be tied to shame, guilt, vulnerability, insecurity, etc...

and here they're just wavin' it. topless. in their flip flops. 

whereas in france, 

it seems most are hiding behind their put-together outfits and closed toed shoes watching where they walk so they dont step on the manicured lawns. 

in the same vein, 

barcelona is rowdier, grittier, and spicier than france. 

neither here nor there. 

just is. 

just some things i noticed...

in a lot of ways, barcelona is what i am more familiar with. 

and france is what i desire to be more of. 

both excellent places speckled with poo-poo traits. 

'tis life, oui/si?

and today begins my rendezvous with gaudi.

the sagrada familia tour begins...

sharp, cold, rigid sculpting depicting the death of christ

total contrast to the other side...which i couldnt get a good picture of...

the inside...

trinity with ceiling

trinity without ceiling. 

its very clear that with or without the ceiling in the pic, this structure is stunning.

i just read these words from 'embracing the wide sky by daniel tammet:

"...the success of outstanding individual's in numerous fields, from mozart and einstein to garry kasparov and bill gates, has been attributed by many to minds they regard as unearthly and inexplicable. i think this view is ot only erroneous but also harmful, too, because it separates the achievements of talented individuals from their humanity; an injustice to both them and to everyone else. the brain is amazing..." [p.3]

which makes me think twice before i call gaudi a genius. 

rather he perceives the world differently than most of us or perhaps has a less narrow view of it...or has commanded more of his brain than most of us to be able to create the way he did.

if it werent for tammet's book, i wouldve left in awe stained with envy and self-deprecation. 

instead i walked away in awe and inspired. 

and hungry. we sat at a corner cafe and ate some food while staring up at the sagrada familia. 

i had a difficult time tearing my eyes away from it...

the croissant was...actually really good :)

the 'pizza slider' meh. 

the salmon and spinach pie thing was off the hook. 

and our date with gaudi continues...to park guell!

just doesnt do it justice...

at the tip top of the park we come to this. 

a pillar with a cross on top. and this spotted creature - spotty was instantly curious and rightfully nervous. he was a bit of an obnoxious guitarist just rambling random 'oh baby's and 'come fiesta with me's while he mimed taking a bite out of innocent female tourists walking by. 

i dont think he was a part of gaudi's design...

although he sported hard not to notice colorful characteristics... 

theres the sagrada familia and a sip of a smoothie to cool off on this very very calor day

at the tip top of the pillar!

vicky christina barcelona moment. listening to classical spanish guitar music. swoooon~

the "serpentine ceramic bench" says my fodor's guidebook

'the iron dragon on the gate to the guell garden guards the golden apples of classical mythology' says my fodor's guidebook

the entrance. 

'can i have some?' 

'what's that spotty? i cant hear you over the awesome coconut ice pop.'

and i was too busy enjoying my sangria ice pop to remember to snap a photo...

but i assure you it was muy bueno.

barcelona cathedral...and mitsi!

thanks karen for connecting us with mitsi :)

catalonian acrobats aka castells. apparently so it spotty!

a giraffe of many tricks and trades. 

spotty makes friends with chakra, mitsi's kitty

view from mitsi's 

rooftop

dinner at can culleretes. the oldest restaurant in either catalonia or barcelona...eerr...

either way, our tastebuds thank you mitsi. 

duck-ham & parm salad...and that up in the right of the plate smoked salmon and kiwi salad

and strong sangria.

traditional Catalonian cuisine. 

cannelloni, sausage & white beans, spinach with ham & pine nuts & raisins

and more strong sangria

all of it...buenisimo. 

profiteroles and crema catalana. 

the profiteroles -- party in my mouth. 

olivia, minnamoo, spotty, gina, mitsi

muchas gracias, mitsi for a memorable evening in barcelona...

there certainly are no coincidences. 

if you are ever in barcelona, 

do stop by [mitsit took us to these two places before dinner. appetizer for the eyes.] 

1. vives de la cortada import and meet maria, a very warm and spiritually gifted individual who works with crystals

2. la basilica galeria. a jewelry store like youve never seen. something for everyone, even if it's to admire. benny, they had this gorgeous slice of watermelon tourmaline ring. like i said, something for everyone to admire. 

tomorrow is our last full day in barcelona...

good night, loves. 

besos

xx