Christine in Barcelona, Spain

The 4 years of spanish Senorita Shar taught me in high school did not help me much on my recent visit to Barcelona, Spain.  I couldn't even remember gracias. But that did not stop me from having a wonderful visit to Barcelona.

Picasso originally painted in Barcelona.  His father took him there to apprentice, with traditional techniques.  He hung out at the 4 Cats.  He also designed the art frieze for the Catalan College of Architect.  It's an ugly building, but his work shows Barcelona.  Finally, Picasso helped establish and contributed his early paintings to the Museu (Museum) Picasso.  They do not let you take pictures inside.  My favorites were Woman with Mantilla painted in 1917 and some of the many Las Meninas works, painted in 1957.  Not many artists will interpret another famous painting.  But I think Picasso did it justice.

I contributed to the building of a basilica.  Barcelona is famous for Gaudi's Sagrada Familia.  And I visited there.  The building has been under construction since 1882.  And maybe until 2082.  Well, the Spaniards hope to complete it by 2026.  But given how long it has been, I think they will miss the deadline.  Apparently, they get motivated to work harder/faster/finish by big events.  Like the 1929 World Fair.  Or the Olympics.  But they are still going.  (Important note:  My camera broke.  So I had to use my ipod for a lot of the pictures.  They will not be great.  This really sucked.  Looking back, I should have found a shop and bought a new point and click camera in Barcelona.  I didn't.  I suck.  But this means I should probably go back.  Now that I bought a new, fancy SRL camera.  Marcie want to visit?  Not in July or August though.  haha)  What the church will one day look like:

This is the Passion facade view. 

Where they are now:

This is the Nativity facade.

They still have to construct the the four towers dedicated to the evangelists, the tower dedicated to the Virgin Mary and the highest, erected at the centre of the the crossing, which will recall the figure of Jesus and the four bell towers on the Glory facade.  But they are past the half way stage.  In fact, once they finished the roof, in 2010, Pope Benedict XVI dedicated the basilica.
The Passion Entrance:

The Nativity facade, which Gaudi worked on and completed (so that he could obtain donations for the rest of the church):

Yes, very different styles.  Gaudi did not leave direction for the Passion facade, knowing that styles change.  He left it to another architecture.  The inside is amazing.  So different than the old Cathedrals you've seen here.

See the red columns in the picture above?  Those are for the support for the Jesus tower.  The other support columns look like trees to some extent.  Such amazing features.

Gaudi lived at what is now Guell Park, which he designed.  Originally, the park was going to be a neighborhood for the rich.  Now it's a very visited park.  It is kinda looks like candy land, the architecture style. And Gaudi thought of lumbar support before it was popular.  Nice guy.

There is another beautiful Cathedral as well.  I visited the top of this church so you could see the city.  You are welcome.  

On Saturday evenings, at 1800, the Spaniards dance the Sardana at the Cathedral.  The musicians set up on the steps of the Cathedral.  They folks pile their coats, purses, and bags in the middle of the circle.  Then they entertain.

I also strolled down Ramblas Street.  In addition to the street performers and vendors, there is a cool (tourist) food market.

And you end up at the Christopher Columbus monument.  Which Picasso painted.

If you visit Barcelona, don't miss the Dancing Fountain:

I ate at Rias de Galicia, which Tom Seitsma, of the Washington Post recommended.  He said to eat the baby eel.  It cost 90 Euros.  I don't mind spending money, but really?  90 Euros for one course.  I have to draw the line somewhere.  I suppose that's it.  I did eat (I think Turo) fish.

I also tried Moo, a one star Michelin restaurant.  I was not impressed.  The service was lacking, once even taking a plate before I even finished chewing.  And I didn't think the food was that spectacular.  I wouldn't recommend it.

Christine

Christine at Garmisch, Germany

Garmisch, Germany hosted the Women's Ski Weltcup (World Cup).  If you recall, I attended the Women's Fussball (Soccer) Weltcup in June 2011.  So I decided to attend another world cup.  Why didn't I think of going to a ski world cup earlier?  You can watch the race from the slopes or the finish line.  The downhill ran the first day.  I watched from the slopes.  For 2 skiers.   Cause they finish in about 45 minutes.  And I was on the other side of the mountain enjoying skiing.   The Super G ran on day 2.  This time, I went to the finish line to watch the skiers.  The racers tuck the entire time they ski practically.  I think I missed my racing days.  There is no way I could do that.  I watched about 15 of them finish the race.  Then I took the gondola up the hill and skied some.  I also watched a bit of the race from the slopes.

Downhill from the Gondola (men's course is the lighter lines)

The Super G race (there's a reason I'm wasn't a film major):

The Super G course does not start at the top of the mountain.  Which meant I could ski the women's downhill for part of the way.  Such a fun run!!!  I loved skiing and would have all day.  And it is steep. Interstingly, Garmisch has 2 black runs.  Really, they are the only runs worth doing.  One of the black runs was closed for the World Cup.  So, if you are a beginner, you would love it here.  If not, keep driving to Austria.

Interestingly, on day one, it was sunny on top of the mountain.  And cloudy on the lower half.  I skied through the clouds at one point.  Clouds are cold when skiing in/through.  Something I just learned.

BMW sponsored a race course.   The course was connected to your ski pass.  After the jump is a video of me skiing.

Christine