Sagrada Familia and Gaudi things

Today, unfortunately, we woke up to rain. In my head I had hoped it would clear, even though the weather had called for it for the last few days. It wasnt raining hard, but enough to put a damper on the morning. We enjoyed our breakfast and another easy morning before heading out to the metro to head towards Sagrada Familia.

When we emerged from the metro station, we were right there! I was here in 2008 and the cathedral wasnt nearly as complete as it is now! And it wont be completely done for another at least 10 years! In fact, I didnt even recognize some of the things, which makes sense because it wasnt there!

We had an audio tour at 1015. We got there 15 minutes early but still managed to be late to the tour because the security is just as bad as airport security. They put everything through the detectors and then also check the bags themselves. Thankfully they found our guide and dropped us off with her to finish the tour. It was pretty short, but also the rain made it more difficult. There is so much to see on the outside of the church that we stood in the rain while she explained that Gaudi incorporated both the bible and nature. In 2010 Pope Benedict XVI consecrated it as a minor basilica. It is the largest unfinished Catholic church in the world.

When I was here last, there was barely any stained glass, now it shines so brightly and colorfully. It was gorgeous. The tour starts (and everyone enters) from the nativity façade side of the basilica. That was completed when I was here last time. It is the façade that includes animals and nature, showing both creation and evolution. The tour then takes you inside the church to see the stained glass and vaulted ceilings in all their glory. From there you head out to the passion façade.

The passion side was not complete when I was here last time. Now it is stark, bold and finished. This façade was designed by a different artist than Gaudi, but was based on a sketch by Gaudi. This side is very bold. Hard lines, block-like figures – create a very passionate artistic view of the time leading up to Jesus’s death.

The Glory façade is not yet complete, but the beautiful doors were completed and are hung (a picture of the life size doors are on display inside). They are beautiful – the Lord’s prayer in Catalan boldly, while the background includes 50 languages of the Lord’s prayer.

After our tour, we were supposed to go up to one of the towers (the passion side) to get a view of the city. However, because of the rain, the lift (yes, lift, NOT stairs) was closed. We snapped a few pictures and Lauren found us an amazing place for lunch.

If you find yourself in Barcelona, go to Billy Brunch. The food was a work of art and everyone who worked there was part of the art form. As someone who worked in a breakfast/lunch restaurant for ten years, this place was AMAZING and spot on. We hit an English bookstore (it was two doors down) right after. It was a cool little place with a reading area and a coffee machine. Lauren got a book and we were off again. This time to Park Guell.

Gaudi was hired to design an exclusive neighborhood and park by Eusebi Guell. The park was supposed to have about 200 houses as well as the natural park area. However, only two houses were ever completed and Gaudi ended up living in one of them. The park was beautiful, full of unique features – but sadly the main steps were under construction so we didnt get a good picture of them.

After Park Guell, we headed back to the hotel for some downtime before dinner and the Casa Mila evening show we had tickets to. Even though we ended up with a pretty decent lunch, we decided to go out one more time for dinner. Again, Lauren found us a gem. We finally got to try a tortilla (its like an egg, potato and onion omelet). About 30 minutes before our show was to begin I got an email that said the event was canceled due to rain.

Another canceled event due to rain. We decided to head back to the Gothic quarter (it seems to be our favorite place to meander) to walk around and get a drink at a “hidden” bar called Monk. It is a viral sensation right now. We waited about 15 minutes to get in (you go in through a “market” and enter through a door in the back) and were whisked through a pretty retro looking bar, to the “back” bar that was like a disco. We took a look at the drink menu, and THANKFULLY Lauren also agreed that the drinks didnt look great so we got up and walked out. Dont be oversold on the viral stuff.

After escaping the hidden bar, we walked around looking for the right place to have a drink. We stopped back by the fry place so I could get another (small) thing of fries. And then we passed (we walked in a circle) the gelato place that looked good, so I got a gelato as well! We ended up in an awesomely chill bar. There was even a beagle inside that kept our attention.

After our drink it was back to the hotel to sleep. Tomorrow we have shopping to complete before taking Lauren to the airport and me checking into my new hotel for the next three nights.