Sunday, October 9, 2022
Our eventful day started with a Metro ride.
We were headed to one of the
most unique buildings in the world
The Barcelona Metro station was
both clean and efficient
After a short Metro ride, we arrived at our destination . . .
The Basílica de la Sagrada Familia
Antoní Gaudi's most famous work. The groundbreaking occurred 140 years ago on March 19, 1882.
It was consecrated as an active church by Pope Benedict XVI on November 7, 2010.
Still under construction, it is hoped to be finished in 2026 in time for the 100th anniversary of Gaudi's tragic death after being hit by a street car.
Today we just viewed the exterior and we'll enter this amazing building when we return tomorrow.
If nothing else, the exterior of La Sagrada Familia is extremely photogenic.
We started on the Passion side
of the Basílica
Christ crucified by the Storm Troopers
in Star Wars: The Death of God
Majestic
Burying Jesus' body
Such a mix of styles
After Gaudi's untimely death, several architects have overseen this project for the past 96 years.
This combined with the fact that Gaudí's original plans were destroyed in a fire have led to this interesting mixture of styles.
Columns and towers
everywhere one looks
The Glory side
Because of the high wall built around the base of the still active construction sight, we stepped across the street to get a better look at this side of the Basílica.
The first of two stores of interest
on that side of the street
This store just might give Koreen
a special discount in honor of
her Japanese heritage
I just do not tire of this
amazing building
Colors, shapes and nature
are all themes here
Reaching to the sky
On to the Nativity side
Note the people in the foreground
to gain perspective on the sheer size
of the Sagrada Familia
What is that thing on the right?
Evolving back to a more modern
look as we continue to circumnavigate
Wow, just plain
WOW!
I believe that this is the Baptistry
The Sun popped out to give us
new vistas of the gorgeous edifice
Laurie said that she liked these grapes
It wasn't too hard to figure out why, so I took this photo for her viewing pleasure.
Snail Alert!
One final look and we were all
done and amazed by what we saw
From La Sagrada Familia we got a taxi to drive us to the suburb of Castelldefels where we would enjoy an amazing meal with some friends at the Taberna Tibu-Ron.
Castelldefels is a beach community
I'm not sure why, but the Taberna
Tibu-Ron uses this as their logo
We were joining great friends
for what turned out to be an
AMAZING lunch
The Iaccarino family drove up from their home in Reus to join us. Bart is an old friend who I first coached against when our Murcia Cobras club played against his soon to be Spanish DII National Championship team, the Reus Imperials in 2015.
We were reunited when Bart and Jesús Sanchez first founded the Europe Warriors program in 2017.
Bart and I are the only two people who have been a part of each of the five Europe Warriors Men's, Women's and U19 teams that have played once in Vienna, Austria, three times in Mexico City and once in Chihuahua, Mexico. We have blissfully shared several a street taco experiences south of the border over the years.
Most recently, Bart and I were together in São Paulo, Brazil last March for the week long Brasil Onças National Team camp.
His wonderful wife Chiara and their two sons Thiago and Nico were with us to enjoy an amazing three hour meal.
After a round or two of drinks and several tapas that Bart recommended, we were ready for the Taberna Tibu-Ron's signature dish.
The Llauna here is award winning
Llauna is Catalan for paella.
Bart suggested this Llauna con Torta del Casar, Setas y Secreto Ibérico'. It had recently won the title in a competition as Spain's BEST paella.
We can not even begin to dispute the judges decision, it was indescribably delicious!
the evolution of the chin strap
It was fascinating.
Thiago and Nico are GREAT boys
and also ALL boys
After three+ hours of dining, renewing old friendships and making new ones, it was time for a stroll by the beach
How much fun was this sculpture
for the boys?
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When I look at Bart, it's like looking in a mirror.
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photo of us with the Iaccarino Clan
Adéu Iaccarino Family
This is my Sagrada Familia of EuroBall. Great people who we enjoyed seeing again.
I hope that our paths cross again soon.
We were far from being done with Gaudi-like Modernista architecture for the day, so on the ride back to Barcelona we had our taxi driver drop us off the the interesting Block of Discord.
It is so called because all of the buildings on this block in Barcelona's Eixample district seemingly and jealously are fighting each other for our attention.
They may be right.
Gaudi's Casa Batlló on the right
was indeed designed by Gaudi
There is hardly a straight line in the entire house.
The corner building of the
Block of Discord
gaudi!
Gaudi!!
GAUDI!!!
Gaudi's Casa Milà or La Pedrera
just a few streets up from
the Block of Discord
It is considered to be an icon of the Modernisme style of architecture.
It is called La Pedrera (The Quarry) because of its jagged, rocky façade.
It definitely catches the eye
More details of the Casa Milà
On to Plaça Catanunya
Reaching the afternoon
"Magic Hour"
Let's take a closer look
Reflections
All kids just want to capture a pigeon
Once, just once.
More of Barcelona's amazing architecture
A Plaça Catalunya fountain
A naked woman on one side . . .
. . . Hermes on the other
Tapas?
Did someone say tapas?
Another interesting tapas spot
I suspect
The Las Vegas branch of the
Contreras Clan loves bulldogs
Now that I think about it,
I'm starting to look more like
Hermes every day
Can Monday possibly get any better, stay tuned . . .
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