We spent the last week in Barcelona. Our first day was rainy, but we decided to walk down the main street in the Gothic Quarter, La Rambla. There were various sights along the way; here’s Nancy doing what she does best: documentation! She took so many pictures! If you don’t believe me, check her facebook and instagram. The picture below is at the Plaça de Catalunya.

I will never understand people’s need to feed pigeons.

And here’s Nancy trying dragon fruit for the first time in Mercat de La Boqueria, a large market with all sorts of food. We also got some cheese and I got these lovely cinnamon-y, chocolate-y almonds that I shared with no one.

We made it all the way down the street and got to the Mirador de Colum–that’s Columbus up there at the top, staring out to the sea.

And Barbara and Nancy, looking a bit mischievous.

The next day was beautiful and we had fortunately made reservations for La Sagrada Familia, Gaudí’s masterpiece church. It’s only about 70% done and the work is ongoing, but this doesn’t prevent visitors from coming to see it. Check out the crowds in the pictures below.

I don’t know how I feel about the church, really. Some parts of it just seem like a twisted version of a gothic church and are just a bit too rugged for me.

But then sometimes you can really feel the sacred space, like when you first enter into Gaudí’s forest–the tall columns that hold up the ceiling of his church. While we were there, the clock struck 12 and the church filled with beautiful singing.

Here we are taking a picture using a mirror. You can really see the columns of the forest above us.

 

 

The windows are extraordinary.

And here’s Jesus, parachuting in to save Mankind.

We also took a walk to the site of the 1888 World Fair, which includes the Arc de Triomf, a wonderful example of the art nouveau movement.

And a beautiful park. Look at how sweet Garett and his mom are.

A few other things. There were all these really huge haunches of pigs (with the feet attached to them) sold everywhere in Spain; I’m sure the feet are there to remind you that these pigs used to gambol about happily on the farm. And the haunches were super expensive–one of the them in this picture is straight-up 500 Euros. And they are selling it at the airport! After you go through security!

This made me think, where exactly do you put your ham haunch if you buy at the airport? I’m pretty sure that it wouldn’t fit in the overhead or under your seat. Would you just cradle it the entire flight? That sounds like an actual nightmare. Anyway.

We had a great time in Spain and Portugal and a great time with Barbara and Nancy. Thanks so much for coming to see us!

We are currently in a hip airport hotel about to leave for Gabon. Look at this insane shower–it takes up half the room and is shaped like one of those Fibonacci shells. It also has four jets of water coming out at different angles and you can turn on each independently. Ironically, the hotel has imposed a limit to the amount of water you can consume each day–if you used all those jets every time you shower, you’d run out in no time. We’re down to 20% for today. You really have to use the jets judiciously. 🙂

We will take a hiatus while in Gabon, but I’ll try to post on December 10th or 11th.