I've never had a favorite architect before. But Gaudi is that. I spent the weekend enjoying a few of his famous designs...and I loved it.I woke up on Saturday and went for a super lame run. I feel much better after reading an article in the monthly English magazine here, that said what a difficult city Barcelona is to be a runner. Between the grid-like streets, the tourist population and the polution...running is certainly not pleasant. Which has brought be to the conclusion that once my bank card arrives (please be here soon, please be here soon!) I will be signing up for a gym membership. I looked into it a couple weeks ago, and it is SO expensive, I figured I could just make do with running outside...but alas, the gym it is. Until then, the 5 hrs a day of walking will have to do.
After the run, I hopped on the subway and went for a good walk to Parc Guell. Gaudi was hired to create a community of houses for the wealthy, in landscaped 
grounds. The project wasn't commercially successful, so they turned it into a public park. You enter the park through two gate houses...that look like they are toppped with frosting. Then you enter into a large plaza area with a huge staircase with the famous Gaudi lizard in front. The park is full of pathways, arches, and even has a house that Gaudi lived in for 20 years. 
After the park, I headed out to the beach area...there was a stage with live music set up, which I listened to for a little while. Then I headed into the movie theater to check out the new Indiana Jones movie. I was relieved to find movie posters for "Sexo en Nueva York"coming out 20 de Junio...phew, I have been searching everywhere for a theater to watch the Sex and the City movie and was concerned it wasn't coming to Barcelona. I just have to wait a bit longer.
This morning I woke up early and went to one of Gaudi's most famous buildings..La Pedrera (make sure you roll your tongue when you say that) Everytime I walk by there is a huge, hour-long wait to get in...so I decided to get there right when it opened...and I almost had the whole place to myself. La Pedrera was an apartment building. The front isn't overly inviting, but the inside is full of curves and arches and fun stuff.
The rooftop (which apparently they have evening events at on the weekend in the summer) is so cool (picture worth a thousand words). And then they have one of the apartments set up, all furnished by true items that might have been there. How cool would it have been to live in one of his buildings?!
After the tour, I walked down La Rambla and found the church Gaudi was arrested at one day as he was on his way in to mass (for speaking catalan, instead of spanish, I believe). I was standing in front of the church thinking how crazy it is to be standing in front of the church where Gaudi was arrested. And then thought, but really...does it matter...is it that much different than looking at a picture...is my life different in any way now? I had a moment...and then moved on. Here is one of
the street entertainers on La Rambla...this little skeleton was dancing and singing to Elvis...it was funny enough for me to pull my camera out for a picture. I finished my Gaudi weekend off by heading back to my favorite place- Sagrada Familia- and went to the evening mass. Again, in Spanish...I do need to find an english speaking church.
The dads are out to dinner so I'm home with the sleeping, but coughing, kiddos.
Hope all is well...later.
