Barcelona
Friday–Sunday September 10–12, 2010
We flew from San Francisco to London and the next morning flew down to Barcelona—5,200 nautical miles/10,000 kilometers.
Barcelona and San Francisco are “sister” cities. There ought to be a non–stop. [note from 2019, now there is!]
The city is a pleasant place, wide sidewalks, great climate, what’s not to like?
This is our second visit, having been here in 2001.
Our hotel was close to Gaudí central. Here’s our first stop, the Batlló House, finished in 1906. This picture was taken the next morning, when the sun shines on its front.
Here is a close up that shows some of the design.
Seven of Gaudí’s buildings are on the World Heritage List.
We also went over to the Sagrada Familia to see how the construction is coming along since our last visit nine years ago. A lot has been accomplished. It should open in another 16 years, we heard.
It is a huge building. Here you can see some of the interior, with the artistic touches.
Stained glass is prominent.
This time we even rode the elevator 50 meters up to the top. Here’s the proof:
We walked around the oldest part of Barcelona, working up blisters. A lot of the old center is built with a dark stone, and the streets are narrow. The effect is, well, medieval. But there are some really old buildings that are out in the bright sunlight. Here’s a nice one.
Barcelona is a great city. Pedestrians are treated well, with wide sidewalks.
We landed in Barcelona and went right out and started living the good life.
Next—we have rented a car and will drive north to Girona, near the French border.
