¡Barcelona!

In August, Tom and I took an absolutely amazing post-Bar Exam trip to Barcelona and the Costa Brava. Although I wanted these photos here for posterity, it was a little heartbreaking revisiting our trip because I miss it so much. Hopefully this will have been the first of many trips to Barcelona, because it's a very special place. And now, dear reader, brace yourself for a lot of mosaic.

Parc Güell

Gaudí designed Parc Güell to be gated community for wealthy Spaniards, but now it is just a really fantastic public space.

El Drac fountain at the entrance

Bench mosaic detail

The view out to the sea from the terrace

Gorgeous ceiling in the Chamber of the Hundred Columns

Gràcia

We made Gràcia our home during our month in Barcelona and loved every minute of it. 

Clock tower in the Placa de la Vila de Gràcia

A common sight on our balcony

Casa Vincens, one of Gaudí's earlier works in Barcelona

Casa Batlló (my favorite Gaudí exterior) by day. St. George is the patron saint of Catalonia, so there are a lot of dragons in Barcelona. Casa Batlló is made to reflect the legend of St. George slaying the dragon. The roof of the building looks like a dragon's back. It's awesome. 

Casa Fuster

Elegant door knocker

Plaza del Sol

The view from our place at dusk

Casa Batlló by night

Festa Major de Gràcia

Every August, there is a weeklong festival celebrating Gràcia. There is a parade, a street-decorating contest, and live bands playing every night in every plaza and many streets. I can't even make up a better thing than this festival.

Giants waiting for the parade

This street (Calle Mozart) won the decorating contest, and deservedly so.

These flowers were all made out of old soda cans.

The parade on the first evening of the festival.

Little did I know when I took this photo that it contained what would become two of my favorite people, Pau and young Martí. Pau became a dear friend and was an excellent guide around Barcelona. 

Martí telling a story, probably about dragons.

World famous Castellers of Gràcia

Gràcia giants

Excellent bands. Every night.

La Sagrada Família

Gaudí's unfinished masterpiece. One day, I would love to see it completed. In the meantime, though, it is still thoroughly impressive.

Passion facade

Still unfinished stained glass

Nativity facade

Barri Gòtic, El Born & Eixample

All around town.

The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia

Mail slot at the old deacon's house

Placa de Catalunya

What remains of the Temple of Augustus from the 1st century BC

Repurposed Roman ruins at the totally worthwhile Museu d'Historia de la Ciutat

Dusk at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia

 

La Boqueria

Placa de Catalunya

El Born

Santa Maria del Mar

Casa Milà/ La Pedrera 

By this point, you should not be shocked to hear that this is another Gaudí. 

From the roof, looking down on Travessera de Gràcia

  

Montjuïc
Montjuïc is a lush, beautiful hill overlooking Barcelona which houses the Olympic stadium, a castle, several museums, parks, and the "magic fountain", which is a synchronized music/water/light show.

Tom and Pau at the Montjuïc Castle

Tom!

Pau!

The Olympic stadium

The Magic Fountains

Palau de la Música Catalana

We attended a Spanish guitar concert here and it was a highlight of our time in Barcelona. The guitarist was unbelievably good and the venue was astounding. This place is a stunner.

The stage

You can't see from this angle, but the center of the skylight actually swoops down like a teardrop. 

Parc de la Ciutadella 

Calella de Palafrugell & Llafranc

We capped off our visit to Spain with a week and a half on the Costa Brava. It was the clearest, bluest water I have ever seen. 

The walk to the next village.

Night cafe

Calella de Palafrugell at night

A mysterious light from within the wall

Cap Roig Botanical Gardens

The most beautiful place I've ever been. 

Peratallada

A quaint medieval village a few miles from where we were staying in Calella de Palafrugell.

                                    

A Kiss on Each Cheek,

A.J.