We started in Barcelona....

Twelve and a half hours across the Atlantic Ocean and we, my husband and I, finally reach Barcelona…A city rich in history best known for its architecture: gothic style churches, fashion, food and home to the famous Antoni Gaudi’s historic artwork. His beautiful mosaics are found throughout the city…from Park Guell, to the historic Sagrada Familia to the beautiful Casa Batllo.  Just walking along the streets...you are taking a step back into history.

We started our days adventure on the other side of town. Being it was our first time in Europe it was a little tricky figuring out the public transportation system….but with a little help from a kind women who knew no English…and the little bit of Spanish I know, we got from the bus to the metro and ended up at the front steps of the Sagrada Familia.

It was too early to get in so we walked a block to the coffee bar on the corner and watched at the sun continued to crest the buildings along the street. Barcelona was just waking up and I was ready …coffee in one hand...camera in the other to capture forever the memories of the day.

It’s time now so we head back to Sagrada Familia. The scope of this place is unbelievable from a distance and even more so up close. The details of various scenes from the Bible are spread across the entrance and upon entering the high ceilings reveal a multitude of colors from stained glass windows that cover all sides of the cathedral to the famous arches that hold the building together. It’s breath taking! 

The main area is teeming with people from all over the world. I hear people talking in many different languages, listening on headsets to a recording telling them the history of the cathedral. How it all began, so many years ago, where its stands now and what the future holds…a reminder that history is a common thing that brings people together.

We bought tickets that included the lift ride and so we head to the spire that takes us to the top most corner. Looking down on Barcelona from the tops of the cathedral we see the world below. There are parks on either side, the city below with the trees that line La Rambla Street where people are walking along enjoying the sunshine on this beautiful late summer day. I feel so small in the space I stand looking through the small window that lines the spire staircase wall. With just enough space for one person to walk down I take off my shoes and walk barefoot down the spiral staircase. Wanting to get a feel for what it must have been like to live in a time when bare feet on stone was a common thing and imagining what may or may not have been waiting for me once I reach the bottom over a hundred years ago. 

Our tour of Sagrada Famila has come to an end so we head out in search of lunch.  We decide to walk to La Rambla for a bit to eat, along the way we pass another of Gaudi’s work Casa Mila, the rounded balconies and multi colored tiled roof…it truly is a work of art. We continue along the beautiful streets of Barcelona. The weather at this time of year is perfect, not too hot with a slight breeze that bring the sweet Mediterranean air through the city.  Eventually we make it to La Rambla Street, and pick Moka, a local restaurant as our destination. From where we sit on the patio we have a great view to people watch while we enjoy our lunch: Caesar Salad, Fresh Squid, and an assortment of Tapas. Mmmm…the flavors of Spain are amazing…and we are just getting started! 

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More on Barcelona to come!
Ciao
Phoenix