Yesterday morning, we met our tour group about a 25 min walk from our hotel, near the gothic quarter. Our tour guide Gloria took us on a walking tour through the gothic quarter and Jewish quarter. We stopped in front of the Cathedral of Barcelona. We then got on a bus where we got to see more of Barcelona and went to outside the art museum which is on top of the mountain overlooking the city. Up on the mountain are a lot of the facilities that were built for the Olympics and are still used today.
After the stop on the mountain, we went to La Sagrada Familia. This is a giant cathedral designed by Gaudí that is still under construction. The design is really unique and inspired by the forest. When the cathedral is done, it will be about 10 meters shorter than the mountain next to Barcelona because the cathedral can’t out do God. Gaudí died as a result of an accident so occasionally they have to use reverse engineering techniques to determine some design next steps. We spent a lot of time looking at the Nativity face which had elaborate carvings. The opposite side of the cathedral is significantly less detailed. The inside is what reminds you of a forest. Gaudí liked to be inspired by nature. There are stained glass windows but they are abstract designs, they aren’t bible scenes or saints.
After a tour of the cathedral, we got a break for lunch.
After lunch we got back on the bus to go to the Park Guell which was supposed to be a planned community on the side of the mountain. It was the brainchild of Gaudí and Guell. For various reasons the community didn’t work out and only one house was built and eventually they gave up and turned it into a public park.
After the park, Gloria left us at La Pedrera, a house designed by Gaudí. The roof line is very interesting and there are giant sculptures on top. The 5th floor (of 6), is a preserved apartment from the time of the construction.
After a quick break at our hotel, we took the subway a few km to meet our group for our market tour and Paella class. This paella did not use saffron because saffron was expensive, so traditional Catalan paella was made with cuddle fish liver as a flavoring agent….it was not gross. If I try to make paella at home not sure what I’ll do though. Apparently Asian markets will sell the liver and maybe help you cut it up appropriately to get the flavoring out, but not sure I’m that brave. The paella was really good, and it was nice to meet other travelers.
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