May 31 Montserrat

 

MONTSERRAT

Montserrat means serrated mountain because it is so jagged.

We walked over to Plaza Catalunya to pick up a bus for our tour to Monserrat. Summer is upon us so you have to book everything in advance. The Monserrat Monestary is 4056 feet  above the valley floor. The mountain is part of  the Catalan pre coastal range. When we arrived in Monserrat we went to see a short movie about the history of Montserrat. It is a multimedia space with both images and sounds. It illustrates the daily life and activities of the monks as well as the history and spirituality of the Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey. We then saw and heard the most beautiful voices of the children's choir. About 50 boys live here during the week and go home on weekends. These kids sing all over the world. The choir At Monserrat dates back to 1223.

We then took the cog railroad, which is the funicular of Sant Joan, one way to the top of the mountain . This is straight up and has 5 separate brake systems. The cable is made of intertwining steel and capable of holding the weight of 10 cars. There is the Monastery of Joan at the top. We decided to walk down. It is a very steep trail that takes about 40 minutes. We just had time to go over to the Basilica where the Black Madonna resides. On our way back to the bus we stopped to sample some liquor and later cheese. The trip is  about 5 hours with 3 hours at Monserrat. There is so much to see 3 hours is not enough. I would advise taking public transportation to have more time. We then walked back to Placa Espanya stopping on the way for a beer, some potato bravas and a chicken coquette. 

   

Joan's favorite hang out - Desigual across the intersection.

 

   

Montserrat on the horizon

   

Funicular

   

Sant Joan Chapel

   

Black Madonna

   

Monastery

   

Prior to service

   

Service within

   

Proof Stu was there.

Joan taking the final picture

May 30 Arenes - MNAC

Arenes and MNAC

 

Placa de les Arenes             

                                                                                MNAC        

   

After a comfortable train ride back from Girona, we dropped of our gear, and went up to  Plaza de les Arenes. This arena was built to be a bull fighting arena but the Catalunyans were not interested in bull fighting so they converted it to shops in the round. There are 4 levels of shopping for everything imagineable. The Boulton's of Florida recommended we look it over. After a quick visit to Desiqual, Joan's favorite store, we found a huge grocery store on level -1. We have been eating our meals out and wanted to fix a meal at home. We bought 2 large pieces of Salmon in a curry marinade, pre packaged salads and a tortilla. In Spain a tortilla is layered potatoes cooked with egg. It is usually served as a tapa with any drink you buy from coffee to wine and it is delicious. We also bought a bottle of lemoncello with cream. We had a great dinner. Lemoncello is very expensive in the US here $5 for a bottle. Cava which is the Spanish Proseco is just a few dollars. A liter bottle of beer is 67 cents. In the early afternoon, we visited the Museum of National Art of Catalunya, no entry fee for old folks. What a wonderful place. There is Gothic Art, Romanesque Art, Renaissance and Baroque art. The whole upper floor was dedicated to modern Art with a large mural by Joan Miro.

 

Joan Miro

 

Wood panels

 

Fresco like

 

Stained Glass

   

Furniture

   

Big wood panels              

 

Mirror with Joan. That is a glass, not a stain

 

Finally, a Parakeet in its nest

May 29 Girona

 

Cathedral and Bascilica

Girona

 

We started our day at the train station. It was a day of adventuring out to the city to Girona. An attendant showed us how to buy a round trip train tickets through the ticket machine. We located the proper platform and track. Most important is to learn how the electric platform announcement screens work. A train arrived and we had to ask a patron if it was going our way. Fortunately, on the train the announcement board was audio and in English.  

 

 

L'Onyar River without much water

Most of the clouds in the sky are jet contrails.

 

Upon arriving in Girona, we found the inforrmation office closed. Using a smartphone and google maps you can pretty much find your way any where on earth. Fortunately, Stu can read the maps and has a sense of direction. We walked down to the river and there was no water in it. We were very disappointed. We crossed the river on one of the many bridges and went up to the University. Close by we found a pub hang out for college students. Stu's having trouble with his hip so a little beer and some ibufen cream rubed on his hip helped. We entered the old city behind the Old Roman Walls and walked to the Cathedral and then the Basilica. The history of both is fascinating.  It seems like the struggles between mankind and his religions is an earthly constant.

 

 

Old town

 

Roman Wall surrounds old town

 

Once many statues alined the door way

 

Looking down at the alter

 

Monument 50 year memorial to Ann Frank  

Most surprising! Water in the River Onyar. Fish too

 

Compare this to the first river picture.

 

Park de la Devesa  

6th floor exercise pool, chilly

 

 

 

 

 

May 28 Eixample

 

Last night we stayed up waiting for the sun to set ;then, walked up to the Placa Espanya to see the magic fountain of Montjuic It is a spectacular display of color light motion music and water. It's first performance was in 1929 for the great Universal Exhibition. It took 3000 workers 1 year to construct. There are 4500 light bulbs. Water moves to the music that is played and turns colors. The fountain's performance lasts about 30 minutes and starts after dark  There are thousands of people walking around and standing near to capture the beauty of this spectacle.

Magic Fountain            

magic fountain

Bubble maker, exciting all to try and break them.

 

 

Eixample

 

May 28

We started our day at the train station to buy tickets for tomorrow's train to Girona. Today is Sunday and only same day tickets can be purchased. With help tomorrow we will try to purchase tickets through the machine. Purchase lines are long. We did case the joint so we will be ready.

We then walked over to the Eixample  neighborhood to see three houses. Casa Batllo designed by Gaudi. He combined futuristic construction techniques for cooling systems with beautiful artistic design. The roof is like a dragon's back and the balconies are in the form of carnival masks. Next door is Casa Amatller. It was designed by Pugi Cadafalch. It's facade consists of a brilliant display of blue pink and cream tiles with burgundy florets. Finally there is Casa Milla. It was also designed by Goudi. It resembles an open cast quarry and defies the laws of gravity. The curved walls are held in place by undulating horizontal beams  attached to invisible girders The balconies are made with intricate wrought iron.

 

 

Breakfast is served

 

Placa d'Espanya

 

Casa Batllo

 

Casa Amatller

 

 

 

 

Casa Batllo

 

Casa Milla       

Casa Milla

Statue by Joan Miro

 

PB - Pastry Break

 

 

 

May 27 La Rambla-Old City

 

La Rambla, on a quiet day

 

La Rambla & Old City

Barcelona is a walking city. It is devided into neighborhoods. Each neighborhood offers glimpses into the Catalunya culture and past. The city's reputation brings crowds of touists and many local folks on bikes. At congestive street intersections alertness is the key to a succesful crossing. 

Today we started our walk from Placa Espanya to Placa Catalunya where the Rambla starts. The Rambla is about a mile walk that ends at the waterfront. Though we were early, there were thousands of people. It is a famous walk with stores and museums, cultural centers and venders of every imaginable like. There were fresh vegetables and crafts. It is also famous for its pick pockets. We prepared and left all our papers at home; and, wore our purses and pouches in the front. The Ramba runs along side the old city with its narrrow streets and tightly packed housing. We wandered between the old city and the Rambla. The streets in the old city are lined with small stores offering handmade goods such as shoes, clothing, ceramics and jewelry    It is also the Catalan film and theater district. We visited two churches while we were there. The Cathedral and the Basilica Santa Maria del Pi. Both are important examples of Gothic style. The present Cathedral was started in the 13th century and not finished until the 19 th century  It is framed by the remains of Roman Watchtowers and heavy stone walls. The Basilica has been rebuilt after being destroyed in the 17 th century. It has one of the largest rose  windows in the world. While walking along the Rambla, we visited Joan's favorite store, Desigual, which is a Spanish clothes specialty outlet. We stopped for lunch at Murpheys an Irish pub and resturaunt. We then finished  up our walk at the waterfront. This too is a neighborhood of boats and long wide streets with statues and sculptures. Lots to see. We fortified ourselves with ice cream and made the long treck home.  

Old Town  

Plants bring a freshness to the crowded apartments

Joan looking around for gifts for everyone

   

One way to privately crossover

Inside Basillica  

Rose Window

Feeding time  

Shore walk  

Stu is being chased  

Columbus Placa  

Nautical Museum

 

Shopping in her new Dress

 

Joan insists that I show off  

Our bedroom  

Our kitchen