Barcelona on a Sunday

Casa Batllo

What an amazing day we had today. We had a Gaudi day first walking to see his unfinished cathedral the Sagrada Familia and then his Casa Batllo built for a wealthy family. We then caught the Metro to Paral-lel for a Funicular and then cable car ride up to Montjuic where we had great views over Barcelona and took time to investigate the castle on top of the mountain.


La Sagrada Familia


Steve on Cable Car

After that we decided to take the Metro to see the park designed by Gaudi. This is another of his unfinished projects. Park Guell is built high on a hillside. To get there we went up several tall escalators and long lengths of extremely steep roads but what a surprise was waiting. The park was originally designed to be a self-contained community with houses, schools and shops but it flopped. Now there is an enchanting series of paths, plazas and a Dr Seuss-style playground. Gaudi was creating these incredible modernism pieces from the 1870s. When I think where Australia was at in 1870, I can't begin to wonder what the average Spaniard's life was like and the culture as a whole. After centuries of copying classic styles for churches suddenly Gaudi came right out of left field with his Sagrada Familia which by the way, they hope to complete building in 2020, and his weirdness was accepted by the powers that be.

In Park Guell. These houses were described as "modest housing"


The lizard in Park Guell

The evening before we had walked to see La Pedrera, another of Gaudi's houses and then walked down La Rambla, Barcelona's most famous street, which has a central pedestrian space. We called into La Mercat, the market, and bought some glaced orange slices dipped in dark chocolate. But then it started to storm and for once we had not taken our umbrellas. We had a few kilometres to walk home so we got a smidge wet.

We are staying in a hostel called Ona Barcelona and there are a few young Aussies here. I have been surprised at how many Japanese girls are backpacking and I've seen several travelling on their own.