barcelona, August 1 2010
I must say upfront that I didn’t fell in love with the city. Barcelona in itself wasn’t inspiring to me. I kinda felt too much like home with different nuances. But the art and attention give to it by it’s habitants is definitely worthy of praise.
Although, I must admit that my trip had a rocky start, and the less pleasant experience might have had a negative impact on my feelings for the place.
Making it short: I went with a friend whom on the first night got sick. On the second night we visited the hospital, then the next morning we rushed to the airport and got her on a plain home. Bummer. I was a bit shaken for a moment there, but life goes on and I had 3 more days ahead to “enjoy” Barcelona.
First day alone I just wandered the streets. On La Rambla street, found the Centro de Arte Santa Mónica (Santa Monica’s Art Center) with an impressive exhibition of illustrations by Pat Andrea base on Alice in Wonderland.
The next day I went to the Sagrada Familia, and most people will kill me for saying this, but I wasn’t remotely inspired by it. I do think it’s a great masterpiece, but I enjoy it much more in the books looking at it’s details up close instead. Maybe it was all the people there, maybe it was all the cranes and construction things.
Then, Park Guell. Again, great art but crowded place. (My dislike for crowds should be clear by now.) But I’ll take the blame for going to these places on a Saturday! I imagine it wouldn’t be so bad on a weekday.
Later the same day I found CaixaForum with 2 amazing exhibitions, the first by plastic artist Miguel Barcelo and the second by photographer Jacques Henri Lartigue. I absolutely adored these.
Nearby was the Font Magica (Magic Fountain) which makes for a nice beautiful show of synced music, lights and water.
The last day, I decided to go up the Montjuic (got a little nice sunburn on my shoulders). The castle at the top, not worth the sunburn, pretty disappointing as I’ve seen similar and better ones back home. Downhill were some nice gardens and the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (National Museum of Catalonia Art) was a pretty building.
Down to the ports and the populated beaches, I reached a park and my legs were done.
Overall, I did enjoy Barcelona. It’s a great city. I just didn’t got overly excited by it’s landmarks. I prefer other smaller details.
