Barcelona (Mon 2 - Wed 4 Oct)

Monday 2 October

Just before Germaine left for Madrid on Monday morning, we suddenly realised that we'd be gone before she returned.  So sad to lose her cheerful and welcoming presence!  (And scary to lose our personal tour guide and work out how to get around Barcelona by ourselves.)

Katrina (Daryl's daughter) and her husband Stéphane and the two children arrived on Monday afternoon and have been sharing Germaine's apartment with us.  So basically, Monday was a "transition" day.



Tuesday 3 October

What a different day!   The National Police (sent to Barcelona and accommodated on three large ships) had over-reacted badly to the peaceful demonstrators last Sunday.  As a result, a snap strike was called for today.  We couldn't believe how many people and businesses supported the strike.  All the tourist attractions closed, buses and trains were cancelled, and many businesses (including places to eat lunch) were closed.

So what to do but go for a very long walk?  We Katrina and family on a walk down to the beach, then to the Gothic area and parts of the Old Town.

After we left the beach area, we walked into the old Gothic area and surprise surprise  –  part of an old Roman wall:





It wasn't long before we heard and then came face to face with streets of protesting marchers.  They were very peaceful and there was no sense of threat at all.





We were able to leave the main streets and wander aimlessly around some of the smaller streets and alleyways.  Always something interesting to discover, but .....




..... everything was closed because of the strike.




It didn't matter to us  --  we just thought it was great to see such committed support from the protest marchers and the businesses and attractions that closed.  (Would like to see that level of committed support for some issues at home in Australia!  Why are Australians so "timid" and seemingly uncaring about the issues that effect people now and in the future?  What about our grandchildren and their grandchildren?)

So we set off for the Arc de Triomf.  Many thousands of other protesters were walking the direct line from the Arc de Triomf to Parc de La Ciutadella and Parlament de Catalunya.  It was truly amazing.









Wednesday 4 October

Today we did a big round trip to include some of the main highlights of Barcelona.  First, we headed La Sagrida Familia (The Holy Family).  March this year was the 135th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone. Despite that, the Basilica is only 70% finished.  Current work, obvious with all the cranes in the pictures, revolves around building six central towers  ––  one for the Virgin Mary, one for each of the evangelists (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), one for Jesus Christ and one representing the passion and resurrection of Jesus.








 






Next, we walked about 8 blocks along Carrer de Provença (Provence Street) to Casa Milà, another of Gaudi's works.  It's also known as La Pedrera (The Quarry) by locals because of its uneven stone exterior.







We've never seen such an ornate lamp-post!





Next, we walked to Casa Batlló, one of the famous Art Nouveau buildings in the Eixample (Eye-sharm-plu) district of Barcelona. It was restored by Antoni Gaudí at the beginning of the twentieth century.   It's on part of the Illa de la Discòrdia (Block of Discord)  --  a mixture of discordant architecture.








Next, we walked along a stretch of Las Ramblas  --  sadly now associated with the tragic terrorist attack a short time ago.

Alistair in pusher, Katrina, Daryl, Stéphane, and baby Laure in Stéphane's arms.




An apartment block with flags and a sign reading:  "Europe Shame On You" (referring to refugees).




We stumbled upon El Toro Pensador (The Thinking Bull) watching the people walk by.  I wonder what he was thinking .....





Map reader at work





Well, someone has to do it:




Nest stop:  Plaça de Catalunya, one of the biggest squares in Barcelona.




Laure in pusher, Stéphane, Daryl, Katrina, Alistair in pusher.



Finally, we walked to Plaça de la Universitat.




We needed haircuts, so when we saw a barber shop, in we went.  I said to the Catalan-speaking barber, "Number 1?" and he said "Si."   The result is hideous  --  it's more like a minus 3.  Ah well, no more "bed head" when waking up in the morning.




After the haircuts, we needed the Spanish drink, Sangria:






(I was woozy all the way back to the apartment!)


Next entry will cover Thursday 5 Oct at Güell Park.  I hope to do it on the train from Barcelona to Madrid.

What a wonderful world!