I overslept! I was supposed to wake up at around 7am to get a jump start on my day, but didn't actually get up until closer to 9:30am. Guess my body needed sleep. Not to worry - I simply relaxed the pace of my day by simply driving by one of the sites I wanted to stop and see on the double decker bus instead of actually touring it (same thing, right?).
To start
my morning I took a mile walk to one of the bus stops for the tour company I started out on yesterday. We drove by Plaza de Catalunya in the center of town and up into the Eixample, where I had visited the cluster of famous homes the day before. It was actually nice to drive by them again, this time from the view point of the second level of the double decker bus. I was struck more today than yesterday by the intricacies of Gaudi's exterior work on Casa Batllo, such as the balconies shaped like animal heads. We then drove by Temple Expiatori del Sagrada Familia (aka La Sagrada Familia), a massive (understatement) church that Gaudi spent years on but did not finish before his untimely death. While I felt a pang of guilt for cutting it out of my plans for the day, I figured a) I could sneak back at the end of the day if I really wanted to b) I still was a bit churched out from my last visit to Europe (albeit 12 years ago).I got off the bus at Park Guell, an outdoor haven which Gaudi was
commissioned to build by his main patron, Count Eusebio Guell. The park is breathtaking - a mix of winding dirt snake paths, flora/fauna, Gothic-like bridges and caves and the well known bright Gaudi sculptures. I spent about two hours in the park, primarily hiking up the paths and taking it in. I was much impressed by the sculptures (but thought I'd find more...) and these insane bridges. I also noticed, and found touching, one bridge/cave that was built around a carob tree, which Gaudi went out of his way to preserve. (note: get ready for a sappy reflection). It reminded me of the Talmudic story ab
out and an old man named Choni who is in the middle of planting a carob tree when a stranger accuses him of wasting his time since he won't be alive when the carob tree gives off food. Choni agrees, but explains his interest in caring for future generations. It looks like Gaudi shared some fine characteristics with characters from the Talmud! Towards the end of the my visit I plopped down on a warm patch of grass, sprawled out and read my novel. Heaven.I then set out on foot from the park back towards the Eixample where I had a coffee date with Ms. Talia Leibovic, one of my counselors (and former campers!) from Ramah. Talia is a junior at the University of Maryland and is spending a semester abroad in Barcelona. It was great to meet up with her - hear how she's doing, of her travels in and around Spain and her future aspirations. In discussing my new found love - La Boqueria marketplace - Talia also gave me a promising tip for a crepe stand. So ... we said our goodbyes and I returned to La Boqueria to test out Talia's recommendation. After all, if she was mistaken I would have felt horrible for misleading my many
readers. While at the marketplace I picked up a bit more produce, and then settled in to scout out the crepe stand. Many of the stands were closing, but fortunately I found the crepe dude after a bit of hunting. I studied the menu (and his rather artistic display of samples) and settled on a brie, raspberry and toasted almond crepe. Scrumptious, especially when chased down with a cup of fresh blueberry coconut juice. I then dashed into a restaurant for an emergency tinkle break (well, I dashed into the second of two restaurants I tried since a rather large waiter made it clear that I was not welcome to use the bathroom in the first restaurant) and walked back to Casa de Billy.Back at the casa I enjoyed some much needed down time (guilty - this is code for "I did some work"). I also did a bit of research as to my next steps for this trip, and think I have a great plan in mind. I think I'll ... as if I'll give it away now! Then, dear reader, you'll have no reason to tune in tomorrow. Rather, I'll jump ahead to my evening walk at around 9pm to the Barr
i Gotic (Gothic District) where I had dinner at an awesome Mediterranean/Catalan restaurant called Cafe de L'Academia, recommended by Bily (of Casa de Billy Cross). It was a wonderfully elegant, hole-in-the-wall restaurant with a nice atmosphere, simple, yet intriguing, menu and reasonable prices. I settled for Cod Fish with Chickpeas and Red Pepper Vinaigrette and a glass of the house red wine. It was delicious - a nice mix of moist fish in a sweet and savory broth dotted with tasty chickpeas. ...and did I mention that a glass of wine in this country is anywhere from about $1.75 - $4.50? Amazing, no?Okay, I'm off to bed at a semi-decent time in order to be ready for tomorrow's adventure.
To view more photos from today click here.
Buenos noches,
Zach
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