March 31: So I missed the tour of th
e Gothic Quarter waiting for my friend to shower. Oh well. We decided to visit Park Guell instead. It was designed by Gaudi as a high class housing district because it was away from dirty factories, and had great views of Barcelona. The intention was to have something like 50 or 60 glamorous houses designed by Gaudi for the rich. There's a gorgeous courtyard, community buildings, etc. but the plan flopped. I think they said they only sold something like 2 of the plots of land and Gaudi bought one of them. Later, it was bought by the city and turned into a public park. Despite it's failure of a history, it is beautiful. 
The walk to the top first leads you to the point of 3 crosses. It's quite a hike up there, but worth it. It's incredibly calm and peaceful, again with a great view of the city. From there, you hike down to the planned residential area, which looks a bit like Dr. Seuss invaded.
After spending some time walking around Park Guell, we walked the mile or so back down to the metro, and went to see the Pedrera. It was again, a house designed by Gaudi, b
ut it had been turned into a museum. I got to tour a
n apartment that highlighted his architectural design style and some of his ergonomic furniture designs. The tour continued through the attic where there were lots of exhibits about his style, discoveries, and the history. Finally, we got to go up to the terrace. This was amazing. I mean, I think he might have been on something, but it was the coolest roof I have ever seen. Oh, and you can see the effects of the Barcelona sun in that I could NOT open my eyes. :-)
ut it had been turned into a museum. I got to tour a
n apartment that highlighted his architectural design style and some of his ergonomic furniture designs. The tour continued through the attic where there were lots of exhibits about his style, discoveries, and the history. Finally, we got to go up to the terrace. This was amazing. I mean, I think he might have been on something, but it was the coolest roof I have ever seen. Oh, and you can see the effects of the Barcelona sun in that I could NOT open my eyes. :-)Fr
om there, it was a couple mile walk down to Santa Maria de la Mar. It was a beautifu
l church down in the southern part of the city. We just sat and enjoyed the ambience. There is something undescribably peaceful about the inside of an old church. From there, it was just a little ways back to the hostle, so Joy and I went back and met up with our friend Staci for dinner.... or so we thought.
om there, it was a couple mile walk down to Santa Maria de la Mar. It was a beautifu
l church down in the southern part of the city. We just sat and enjoyed the ambience. There is something undescribably peaceful about the inside of an old church. From there, it was just a little ways back to the hostle, so Joy and I went back and met up with our friend Staci for dinner.... or so we thought.Joy had one of those Lonely Planet tour guide books with restaurant suggestions. After wandering around for probably a half hour without coming up with anything on our own, we decided to heed the advice of the book. It was a ways away and we were excited because we were finally coming up on the building. We got there, and there was a guy on a ladd
er screwing a new sign into the front of the building. Bad sign. He asked us what we were looking for, and politely informed us that it had closed about 5 years earlier. Greeaaaat. However, he directed us to another place down a side street. It was a cute little place with probably 5 tables besides the bar. When we got in, we realized that everyone else was a local, the menu was all in spanish, and I would have to use what I knew. I was surprised at how much I could understand from just speaking French, but anyways, the three of us split empanadas, spanish tortilla (which is like an egg and potato quiche with no crust), and some fresh cheese and bread... along with some yummy wine! Not bad for 5 bucks each. It was getting pretty late, and the girls were leaving in the morning, so we headed back for some sleep.
er screwing a new sign into the front of the building. Bad sign. He asked us what we were looking for, and politely informed us that it had closed about 5 years earlier. Greeaaaat. However, he directed us to another place down a side street. It was a cute little place with probably 5 tables besides the bar. When we got in, we realized that everyone else was a local, the menu was all in spanish, and I would have to use what I knew. I was surprised at how much I could understand from just speaking French, but anyways, the three of us split empanadas, spanish tortilla (which is like an egg and potato quiche with no crust), and some fresh cheese and bread... along with some yummy wine! Not bad for 5 bucks each. It was getting pretty late, and the girls were leaving in the morning, so we headed back for some sleep.
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