Sunday, August 1, 2021
I love me some Gaudi!! Some may think it 'gawdy' but I find his architecture fascinating and, certainly, out of the box...WAY OUT.
Still in Barcelona on a Home Exchange, preceding my trip to Seattle, I made today all about Gaudi.
On a hillside in Barcelona is Parc Guell which is one part park and the other part an outdoor display of Gaudi's work. The intent, back in the early 1900's, was to create a small community of 60 homes, all designed by Gaudi, embedded inside a park-like environment, away from the polution from the factories and noise of the city below. However, only 2 homes were constructed (though there's actually 4 structures) as there was no public interest in the concept. Gaudi lived in one house, and Guell (the land owner) lived in the other.
There was a nice cool breeze the day I went. But, it didn't help while standing in a long line to get in. Unfortunately, the signage at PG is very poor and many people were caught confused (like me) as to what to do. I bought a ticket online. I assumed the line I was standing in was to redeem the ticket and be allowed in. Nope. Like others, after about 20 minutes I started to question things. I discovered those with tickets could simply walk over to a man standing in the middle of an open passageway where he would scan their ticket with his cell phone and VOILA...you're in. There was NOTHING to tell you this. GRRRRR
I spent about 2 hours wandering the 42 acre park and admiring the amazing, colorful tile work and rock structures that resembled what might be the Flinstones back yard.
A few pics to give you a taste of what's in the video.
Tuesday, August 3, 2021
Since I was flying out to Seattle the next day, I had to get a Covid Antigen test to show at the airport. I found a clinic near my apartment and walked to it. Within a few minutes, I was taken in, swabbed, and paid the $45 fee (only $30 in Mallorca!). A short time later I received the results (Neg) in my email.
Next, I headed for Casa Batllo' on Paseo Gracia, one of the most popular streets in Barcelona. I had my (pricey at $35) ticket and appointment slot, which is a prerequisite to control the number of people inside the house at one time. The Casa is another of Gaudi's work, hired by Batllo' to redesign the 6-story home with no-holds-barred. You can read and see all about it in the video below.
But, here's a few teasers:
These next 5 photos are of the building next door to Casa Batllo'
It's VIDEO TIME!!!
By the way, if you're interested in viewing any of my past entries about travelling around Europe and where I live in Mallorca, simply scroll down past my signature to the end. There, you'll see 'Blog History'. You can click on any Month/Year to see the titles I published at that time. Simply click on the title you're interested in and it will take you to that page.
We saw the park and home on a tour with a very knowledgeable guide. Gaudi was amazing! I still have print of the Familia on my wall in the kitchen.
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