Back from Barcelona

Hola & Bonjour, from Vivian

It's a rainy Friday afternoon in Paris and we just got back from Barcelona a few hours ago. We're both feeling the wear and tear of travel, as catching our return flight meant getting only a few hours sleep in order to check out of our hotel & lug our belongings to the Barcelona Metro station for the 5am opening & from there, on to the train to the airport. Our Air France flight was delayed, so not only we're we there 2 hrs ahead -- we sat on the plane for an hour because the cabin communication system wasn't working. The technical problem was fixed & we arrived safe and sound. We've experienced some highs and lows over the past few days, and emotionally feel a little homesick, I think. I suppose that's to be expected, as we've been gone for 14 days, and one more week to go.

I'll start with the highs:

* In Barcelona, we had a chance to take an extensive tour of La Padrera (or "Stone Quarry"), the "finest building" designed by the renowned Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi. It is his landmark avant garde apartment block, which now houses a museum devoted to his life, work and techniques, plus a restored original apartment for viewing. The audio, video, display and apartment tour were incredible, and it ended on the rooftop of this masterpiece building. Gaudi's life and work are totally inspiring, and he was very ahead of his time; taking ideas and designs from nature, designing in an ergo dynamic fashion, including fixtures and furniture for his buildings, & so on. Gaudi was a 4th generation metal worker, & so innovative, his architecture professor remarked that he "didn't know whether they we're giving the degree to a genius or a lunatic"! If you're not familiar with Gaudi's work, Google him and you'll see what was meant.

We also toured the museum devoted to another famous Spanish artist -- Pablo Picasso. The collection reflected the long and varied career he had, ranging from early portraiture to Cubism to lino cut printing to ceramics.

As our guide books revealed and our touring proved, Barcelona is known for:

* it's architecture & design - but we couldn't afford any, unfortunately

* textiles - clothing & jewellery reflect a flair with fabric, so I did buy 1 funky necklace

* food - fresh juices are a feature many places, & we loved what we tried

- we also frequented an organic restaurant where the menu changes daily -- bummer when you want to try something you nibbled from Lauren's plate the day before!

* all-night partying - just t r y & get some sleep in your hotel room

* Spanish leathers - maybe this is linked to the all-night partying too, who knows?

We visited a leather shop & bought some lengths, widths & colours for jewellery-making

* Beautiful beach and harbour area, featuring a yacht club & marina. We walked all around the area, noticing ads for yachts for sale, if you've got an extra 1.5 million euro!

The down side was the overt machoism (uninvited looks, stares, comments, etc), particularly in the somewhat rundown area where our hotel turned out to be located. We booked on the internet, not realizing that we would be on a street frequented by all-night drinkers & partyers, so it was a little unnerving going to & fro (Even when we left our hotel at 4:30 am, there we're still quite a few people on the streets. Could that many people not have to go to work in the morning?

Our room was small enough to cause one to develop claustrophobia, but there's a crisis with not enough tourist accommodation right now, so we we're lucky to get what we had, I suppose.

When we were posting our previous blog, before leaving Paris, Lauren was typing & we were at a computer in the basement of the internet cafe, 'as we are now). I was free to look around, & discovered that the white-haired "gentleman" who had come in, in a suit of the same colour, was surfing for, & finding, h a r d - c o r e pornography. Gross & creepy!!! We left in a hurry...

Today on our return, we took the train ho,e from the Charles DeGaulle Airport, & a young man boarded the train & sat opposite us. He turned out to be a thief, & attempted to steal the bag belonging to a man seated with his back to him as he got off the train. Fortunately, the man was quick to react, and the thief got away, but without the bag.

There have been other positives to focus on, however:

* Lauren's command of languages, to communicate & read signs, directions; etc

* her use of maps as well, & ability to figure out the complex of subway routes and lines, streets and alleys, wherever we are

*people have been very willing to offer help & most speak a little English if you get stuck

* it's good to step outside one's comfort zone & see how other people live

Of Interest:

In both Paris & Barcelona, I've noticed some parks with chairs as well as benches, so that people can meet & form a social circle.

So, we spend a few more days in Paris, & then it's on to Nice: Hope it's nice! Bad pun, I know. Travel to the south of France will be by train, so we'll be watching our belongings (though 1st class travel this time).

We appreciate any messages from friends & family, via the blog or to lsykes2@uwo.ca

PS: According to the health food restaurant we visited, "Organic is Orgasmic". You'll be happy to know, we didn't buy the t-shirt!

Love, Viv & Lauren