Spain pt.2 - Gaudi & Waterfront

Spain consists of 17 autonomical districts, most having both legislative and financial autonomy. Wrecked by war and dictatorship during the first half of the 20th century, Spain has emerged as a fast developing nation that had no problem entering the EU in 1997. An illustrious history of Islamic renaissance and European empire, its developed culture and history attracted many envious glances, resulting its taking part in many wars. All this history contributed to the segmentation and fierce independent view of the spanish people. For example, Barca ppl would call themselves 'Catalans' and speak Catalan (Barcelona is in Catalonia), rather than say they're from 'Espanyol'.















Day 2 Barca started off promptly at Park Guell, a steep climb from metro stop Lesseps. We entered through the back gate, straight to the strange Hill of the Three Crosses (Calvary). Coming around to the brilliantly coloured serpentine plaza, doric collonades, organic-looking rock support columns, flower beds, gingerbread houses and of course, the salamander. An interesting fact: the plaza was constructed such that the rainwater from the plaza was re-directed to come out as a fountain from the salamander's mouth!! Simply amazing. More Gaudi pictures are found in a previous Gaudi post or friendster.

Fei Zhai trying to act cute; hanging on for dear life for the sake of photography; more useless photos

A bocadillo (baguette roll) and metro stop later, we were at what probably is the only unfinished cathedral in the world - La Sagrada Familia ("The Sacred Family") embodies all of Gaudi's belief and naturalistic concepts. Being typical Malaysians, we gawk, took photos, and complaint incessantly about the progress. Really, more than a 100 yrs and it's still 50% complete? NO SIESTA HAHA. There were original plans in the underground museum, and we also spent an hour getting stuck in a jam, trying to climb up the 400+ odd steps tower.

CW from top left: Hosanna in Escelsis; Gethsemane; The Passion facade; Body & Blood of Christ; stained glass window; and finally, NO FINISH NO SIESTA HAHAHA

Phing&I were surprised that the day's itinery was becoming Gaudi Day, but we still led our less-than-impressed crew to La Pedrera (Casa Milla). I was highly impressed by the structure and showcase apartment, tranfixed by the excellant Gaudi museum, but I just didn't get the rooftop designs. It looks like moulding play-doh into fingers, flowers and a stupa. A brief hostel stop later, we had a high-quality, small-portion dinner at restaurant QuQu, leaving somebody complaining to no end about the portions. A hilarious episode in Zara ensured, when somebody was feeling paiseh shopping for the gf, 'diao diao diao' non-stop hahaha. We enjoyed a night stroll towards Placa de Catalunya, where the Dog can buy his Hard Rock Cafe shot glasses. Continuing through El Raval, Barca's version of Rusholme, searching for Phing's ideal kebab shop, we walked seedy alleys and stumbled into a dodgy former-hospital-turned-plaza. The day ended with a refreshing chat at the hostel bar - free drinks, Paris and dodgy relationships, very interesting night indeed hehe.















On a more relaxed 3rd day, we strolled down Barceloneta towards the beach. Brilliant sunshine, nudes, hazy horizon, nudes, smell of sea and sand in feet, I thought I was back in Redang. Ah, the difference is ppl sunbathe topless here! More fooling around with slippers, camwhores, and sunblock, then the group split - WH etc for city centre shopping, and Manc gang for more sightseeing. After a stupid detour, we found our way to Parc de la Ciutadella, beautiful park right next to the city zoo. Pretty landscape, old buildings (incl. the parliament!), mammoth statues, oriental pavilions and the super-chun Cascada, emerging like a red rose among the white. Walking past the zoological dept building (formerly a castle), we headed for Barcelona's version of the Arc de Triomf (yeaps, correct spelling). With a severe time limit, we split again - Roy&Phing towards the post office, CM for food, and I rushed to Zara. Some expensive frankfurters later, we've hauled our luggage into the aerobus heading for Barcelona International.

CW from top left: Splendid scenery, CM&Phing korean drama moment; random pavilion; triumphal arch in backgroung; sublime Cascada