Sagrada familia

View of the Sagrada Familia from our hotel roof top.  I've been waiting to see the Sagrada Familia for a while.  I wish I could accurately describe it but it is so much bigger and creative and bright than I was expecting.  I can't wait to see it completed.

Here is a demonstration of the way Gaudi calculated the arches used in the design of the cathedral.  He hung a chain and attached sandbags at different levels to achieve the optimal arch.  

The stained glass windows were so beautiful and enormous.  I wish I had the capability of capturing the brightness of the room and the windows.  It was the most beautiful and amazing building I have ever seen.  (St. James cathedral takes second place for the mosaics and whispering gallery)

Eventually I'll get the pictures from Charlie's camera, but I'm not sure the magnificence of this building can really be captured on film.  My favorite part was how the colored light was thrown up on the columns painting them in muted rainbows.

Here are the tops of the smaller towers.  Gaudi adorned them with symbols of the sacrament.  Wheat and grapes.   Viewing the Nativity Facade from street level they almost looked like a collection of Trix cereal. Colorful little spoonfuls of sugar I was never allowed to have for breakfast (unless Grandma Schramm happened to have them.  She always had the good kinds of cereal) and under no circumstances would I purchase them for my own children's breakfast, but they made me smile.

I can't wait to go back and see it completed.  Did I mention that already?  I've turned into such a fan of Gaudi and the way he included a reverence for the Supreme Creator in all of his works.  Can you imagine the Christ tower?  It's going to be huge!  I can't wait.

Xuxo

My lunch (second lunch in hobbit terms) of anchovy pizza and a xuxo.  I had walked from our dingy little hotel in the Barri Gotic down the avenue past Tiffany's, Hermes, and other high end shops to the Block of Discord.  I purchased tickets and toured the buildings looking at everything as long as I wanted until I had to eat something.  Every other store front is a cafe; the hard part is picking one and mustering gumption to order everything in Spanish.  I ordered an empanada displayed in the window and it was wrapped up so fast I didn't have time to think so I walked out of the bakery wondering skeptically if it were polite to snarf lunch while walking down the street.  I did anyway, feeling like a Yankee.  

Around the corner I spied a bakery with an eating area and went inside.  I intended to order one of the delicious looking bocadillos in the window but somehow my adventurous side spilled out the words "Me gustaria un pizza de anchoa pour favor! Y que postre is la mejor?"  

That's how I discovered Xuxos, I could sing odes to Xuxos.  Imagine flaky buttery layers like a croissant with the melting softness of a doughnut filled with fresh made vanilla custard.  When you bite into it the cinnamon sugar bursts from the crusty exterior and the inside is so soft it melts in your mouth.  You can try looking for the creme, but you won't find it, even though you can taste it.  It remains snug inside its little cocoon without spilling out or becoming a gooey mess.

Make a note that not all xuxos are made equal.  The mini xuxos are the best. 

Paella

Mmmm. Paella.  My tummy is grumbling just thinking about it.  So savory and satisfying.

One of the best things about Barcelona was the food. This little restaurant was about a block north of Sagrada Familia and had the best paella of the whole trip.

You die, clown!

I had never really given thought to what a daughter of Charlie might be like.  Brianna has been so meek and mild she has not really taken on his mannerisms, or so I thought.  Brianna and the boys were playing something along the lines of King of the Hill when Brianna belted out at the top of her lungs "You're gonna die, Clown!"  Charlie teases the boys with this phrase all the time. Especially while roughhousing.  

Hearing this spunky phrase belted out of this little girl as she shoved her brother down the slide really made me laugh.  The boys scrambled and giggled all the way back up the slide and the cycle repeated.

Seattle and Pompeii

Space Needle!

I loved seeing the Pompeii exhibit at the Pacific Science Center.  My favorite was the collection of silver coins and the different mosaics like the table top in the photo.  There were also marble statues and all sorts of cookware, gladiator armor, and vases.

I love the etching on this glass.  I didn't take any photos of the body forms.  The kids were a little spooked by them.  Although we couldn't see specific facial features, they were very lifelike and a little shiver would run through our group as we realized a human body once occupied that space.

Architecture

Thus building was amazing architecturally, but I didn't love the over all look of the place. It's called La Padrera which means the quarry. This apartment complex is huge and had two light wells in the center forming courtyards for the residents (above photo). The amazing part is that the building is supported entirely by the exterior walls. Can you imagine renovating this building and having NO interior loss bearing walls? None! 

 Gaudi also made sculptures of the chimneys and vents on the roof. He felt a lone chimney or antenna was as silly as one hair sticking up from a bald head.

Here is another time I wish I had photo taking abilities. The room was full of light and the window casings were beautiful, but the wrong camera settings only showcase the playful stained glass.  I love this room in the Casa Batllo. I want to live here.

How about these beautiful beams for the ceiling of your street entrance? This building, next door to Casa Batllo, is fully occupied and not open for tours. I love the Arab influence in the design here.

Surf and turf

We splurged on steak and crab legs. Super Chef Charlie did all the work.

Tooth!

Warm January day

We went out for a bike ride one Sunday afternoon.  Brianna is still trying to balance on her bike and eventually grabbed her scooter instead.  I'm impressed that I held the camera steady.  I love how the afternoon sun highlights her face and how I can see Will, Evan, and Carter in the background.