DeeDee writes: "For me, it all started when I bought a last minute plane ticket to join Brenda and friends for a few days in Barcelona. I had been to Barcelona in 1999, and it was somewhere I always wanted to return to with people I actually like. It makes a difference, even in Barcelona.
We shopped every day for fresh hams and cheeses and olives and garlics and breads and mushrooms -- and wines -- for dinner, and picnicked on the roof of our hotel." |
"We spent an entire day at Parc Guell, savoring the organic forms and figures of Antonio Gaudi's work, the native landscaping and his home and workshop. We had the luxury of a full day to wander and let the Parc happen around us. It was certainly one of the best days of my life."
Brenda writes: " I totally agree. Gaudi was the highlight of my trip there as well. I had never been to Barcelona, but had gone to Madrid. Hated Madrid. It was so macho, and it smelled like cat urine in all the parks because of the incredible number of feral cats. I was so excited to see Barcelona, mostly because of Gaudi, and I loved it. Totally changed my mind about Spain. One of the best things about being in Barcelona on a Sunday is that it's Market Day, where all the traders have stalls and display everything from historical treasures, artwork, attic junk and whatever they think will bring a Euro or two."
The Sunday Market in Barcelona (2011)
"So I bought a hand-painted plate with St. George and the Dragon...it didn't make it home in one piece..and a beautiful terra-cotta water pitcher, which did. I have since broken it, of course. Time to go back..."
"So I bought a hand-painted plate with St. George and the Dragon...it didn't make it home in one piece..and a beautiful terra-cotta water pitcher, which did. I have since broken it, of course. Time to go back..."
Graffiti on buildings in Barcelona (2011)
Bolts of cloth at the Sunday Market in Barcelona (2011)