Barcelona: Archive of Courtesy

Congratulations on your lovely new passport, Susi! I have my application filled out, the check is written, I just need a picture of myself that isn't fugly. My current passport photo is no bueno. I took it on campus at BYU-H, just after I'd dashed over from Hale 3 in the pouring rain. It's not pretty!

In response to your post about Gaudi and Barcelona - I LOVED the lighting of the torch at the Barcelona Olympics. Even though I was just ten at the time, I've always remembered what a thrill that was.

As I type this, I'm watching "Barcelona: Archive of Courtesy," a travel DVD I checked out from Netflix, and taking notes. It doesn't start out auspiciously - stating that Barcelona is a city with a spirit that muses the bohemian and the modern. I don't have much interest in either of those. :)

Gothic Quarter
I think that we should definitely see the Gothic Quarter, which is the historical center of the city. The old cathedral there is surrounded by a street market with stalls selling art, fruit, jams, cheese and trinkets. It looks like a fun place, people performing the Sardona (ring dance and national symbol of Catalonia), and singing amongst beautiful buildings. As I'm watching this program, I'm rather surprised that there aren't more historical buildings seeing as the city was founded some 2000 years ago. I think one of the most interesting parts of our trip will be seeing how the ancient is mused with the present.

Guell Park
Guell Park is very interesting as well. It's a "Garden City," designed by Gaudi (how often do you think he was under the influence of something when he worked?) and is definitely worth a look. It reminds me of the "Alice in Wonderland" version of New York's Central Park.

Casa Mila - "The Puff Pastry"
One of Gaudi's works - it's very odd looking, but you gotta give the guy credit for his imagination and flair.

Golden Square - an area that reflects the work of modernist renaissance architecture and is described as an "outdoor museum." The photo here is an example of the buildings that make up Golden Square, or Quadrat d'Or, in Espanol.

Paseo de la Exposition - large, impressive looking building that houses large conventions and such. I thought it was a government building, but I think I'm wrong. :)

I think we'll be able to find plenty to see during our few days in Barcelona.