My Oyster

Back to Where We Started...

In Madrid - and loving it. We were here for a few hours a week ago before heading to Barcelona and have been looking forward to our return. And now we are joined by friends from DC – Brian and Gerardo.

This morning Jean and I did a quick walk through the old Jewish quarter in Toledo then zipped up to Madrid and went straight to the Prado Museum. Amazing – but no pics.

We met up in Chueca with Brian and Gerardo, a local friend, and a couple new friends from Dublin to kick off Gay Pride weekend here. Huge celebration.

And here are my Five Favorite Fotos from today...

Nature...

We saw these roses(?) in a small square overlooking the Jewish Quarter in Toledo.

 

Beauty...

The Prado Museum. Home to enormous beauty.

Fun...

Go-Go dancing in Chueca with huge crowds.

Spirit...

One of the old synagogues in the Jewish Quarter of Toledo.

Just liked it...

Two old ladies walking laps in Toledo.

And more photos here at my Flickr account.

Two Men in La Mancha...

Today we trained to Toledo. Capital of La Mancha (according to Wikipedia).

Toledo is pretty amazing. Lots of history, lots of religious significance, loads of el Greco, and just plain beautiful. It is set on hills and ringed by a river. Winding cobblestone streests.  Unfortunately, it is over-run with tourists, like us. Most come just for the day from Madrid (30 minute train ride) so I am glad we spent the night and got it to ourselves for a bit after they all returned.

We visited the Cathedral – one of the most important in all of Christendom. That is saying a lot. Unfortunately, no picturing taking allowed. Jean and I had already snapped several before we saw the sign though. We also went to the Santa Cruz Museum and saw lots of el Greco and religious art. Good stuff.

And here are my Five Favorite Fotos from today...

Nature...

In this heat, we appreciate trees even more. We found some shade for lunch under this one.

Beauty...

Nothing more beautiful to a traveler than a room with a view. Ours is of the Cathedral.

Fun...

With Cervantes. Jean is very patient with me wanting this touristy pics.    

Spirit...

Ecce Homo. Behold the Man.

Just liked it...

Returning to our hotel.

And more photos here at my Flickr account.

   

A Day to Relax...

We needed to get out of the city for a slower pace – so we packed our towels and suits and took the 45 minute train ride south to Sitges. It’s an old fishing village turned (largely but not exclusively) gay resort.

Slightly different than Rehobeth. The actual beach coulda been the same – with cabana boys, umbrellas, oodles of guys in suits – but the town around the beach was really quite charming. Narrow cobblestone streets, balconies, good restaurants and shopping.

We lounged on the beach for several hours and took one quick dip. I think we both expected the Mediterranean to be slightly warmer. We got in some walking around the old town before dinner of paella by the water. See pic above. A really wonderful day.

And here are my Five Favorite Fotos from today...

Nature...

Palm trees, the sea, rolling hills. Just the right mix of nature for me.

Beauty...

She sat right in front of us during dinner. I couldn’t take my eyes off her.

Fun...

Boys on the beach. What could be more fun than that?    

Spirit...

Some church on the beach. Couldn’t be bothered to crack open the guide book today.

Just liked it...

This was amazing. His sand castle had a fire and was really pouring wine!!!

And more photos here at my Flickr account.

   

All Gaudi - All the time...

And absolutely loving it. I am a bit surprised I am sooo into him. I had seen pics of his work forever and was kinda – “meh”. But seeing it up close and all over Barcelona and learning more about his genius has made me a real fan.

Today Jean and I walked for 14 hours and hit some major Gaudi hotspots here in Barcelona. The Casa Battlo, the Basilica Familia Sagrada, and the Parc Guell. All very different – one a (big) house, one a church, and one a mix of landscape art and architecture. The diversity and meaning of his work is amazing. I have really never seen anything like it.

And here are my Five Favorite Fotos from today. Be prepared for some Gaudi...

Nature...

In the Parc Guell. Gaudi’s work with the natural environment is beautiful.

Beauty...

The Casa Batllo was a modernist (Catalan Art Nouveau) stunner. Everywhere you looked, curves and colors and textures and light.

Fun...

Life in one of the neighborhood squares. We watched these kids playing all through our lunch.    

Spirit...

The curves and lighting of La Familia Sagrada was like nothing I have seen before. I think this is how a church is meant to inspire.

Just liked it...

Also at La Familia. It seemed like a colorful Jesus hangliding onto the alter.

And more photos here at my Flickr account.

   

Musica, Spartacus, & Flamenco...

We did the tour book today. Museums, parks, theaters. You name, we did it. The pic above is us at the Gaudi fountain in the beautiful main park of Barcelona

We saw the roman ruins beneath the current old city. Those Romans were very industrious. We saw their sewage system, the wine-making rooms, fish drying rooms. My favorite was that the household laundry rooms had a place where passersby in the street could pee in, because urine is a natural bleaching agent. Who knew?

We also did a walk through of the Palau de la Musica Catalonya – the Music Palace. Wow. Truly the most beautiful theater I have been in – and I have been in quite a few! It was designed in the modernism style of Gaudi – but by one of his peeps, not him. Jean and I were so impressed we got tickets to see the flamenco show later in the evening. A great experience.

And here are my Five Favorite Fotos from today...

Nature...

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Barcelona has amazing balconies…sometimes with dogs.

Beauty...

The Palau de la Musica. Just stunning. Even more amazing on the inside.

Fun...

We were all about the flamenco today (even though it is not a Catalonian dance).    

Spirit...

From the stage at the Palau de la Musica. A magical place.

Just liked it...

Our waitress at breakfast. I love the outside eating. So much to see.

And more photos here at my Flickr account.

   

And we are in Spain, together...

I arrived last night in Madrid and Jean arrived this morning. After a little walk around Madrid this morning, we headed for the Atocha station and the fast train to Barcelona.

We spent today walking around Barcelona – mostly in the Gothic Quarter. I can tell I am gonna like this place. Beautiful architecture nestled between the Mediterranean and the mountains. Balmy weather, energetic neighborhoods, good food and drink.

And here are my Five Favorite Fotos from today...

Nature...

OK, so maybe too much nature. And that is not Jean.

Beauty...

The cloister at Santa Ana in Las Ramblas. It was a quiet corner in a rowdy area.

Fun...

The throngs on Las Ramblas. Lots going on here – day and night.    

Spirit...

The altar in La Catedral.

Just liked it...

Jean and one of his favorites on some side street.

And more photos here at my Flickr account.