snapshots from barcelona
(part one)
A year ago, I was just getting started on my prance through Europe. The journey began in Spain, in Barcelona.
It was my first time back in Europe since my last life crisis. It had been a minute since my last foray in Europe (almost exactly 3 years since my stint in Croatia, when I was fresh out of college trying to run away from the 2016 elections and adult life). And let me tell you, the first day is always magical.
Itâs disorienting at first, not quite knowing if youâre in a foreign country or in Vegas or in Santa Barbara or on Rodeo Drive. But once it sinks in, once you realize that youâre on Passeig de GrĂ cia and not Rodeo Drive, everything becomes golden.
The hotel we were staying at was in GrĂ cia, so I emerged from the trains in the heart of Passeig de GrĂ cia, among all the tourists out shopping on a sunny day. But I didnât even mind.
I mean, with façades like these to drool over, itâs easy to overlook the crowds.
Barcelona is an architecturally gorgeous city. Itâs also a city that is so uniquely shaped by an artist, so tied to his vision, and so closely associated with such a strange personality. One doesnât ever visit Barcelona without also visiting GaudĂâs Barcelona. While (of course) one of the core landmarks, Casa BatllĂł, was under construction, we did manage to visit three of his other iconic works.
gaudĂ part one: park gĂŒell
A fairytale brought to life, a whimsical fantasy neighborhood that has become a playground for tourists around the world. Perched high above the city, Park GĂŒell more than delivers on the views.
Even with the time limits, the main area does get crowded, but wandering off deeper into the park, it does start to feel oddly residential.
The colorful tile detailing is đ to say the least.
the city looks great at street level, but truly breathtaking from above
gaudĂ part two: casa milĂ
This one happened to just be a hop and a skip away from our hotel, which made it an easy stop by. And easy to wait for lines to get shorter. It was probably the first of many pages from my AP Art History book that I visited on this trip, and I gotta say, itâs a lot cooler in person. Like itâs fine on paper, you get the gist of it. But in person when you realize how big this strangely shaped building is, itâs a bit more impressive.
Also, it has a killer roof with great views of the grand boulevard. And your girl loves a good rooftop view.
gaudĂ part three: la sagrada famĂlia
Ah the familiar sights of construction. This *obligatory* visit and *obligatory* tower climb was, to be honest, slightly underwhelming. I think because of the construction. But not because it was under construction, rather, because it is in the process of being created so it looks brand spanking new. Which is somehow so strangely off-putting when you are used to seeing grand architectures that capture a different time, a different world.
This church just felt so new. So glossy. So colorful. Also the tower climb was hardly a climb (you take the elevator up), but a lengthy spiral down, catching glimpses of the city through narrow holes here and there. But when you do zoom in and admire the detail of the architectural embellishments, thatâs when it feels like more than an endless project, but a feat waiting to be completed, stuck in purgatory, forced to be in a constant preshow.
Itâll be incredible once itâs finished.
and some other architectural drooling
What can I say? This is a pretty damn well designed city. Just đđŒ look đđŒ at đđŒ these đđŒ façades.
Look đđŒ at đđŒ these đđŒ details.
Like, why canât the whole world have these?
Ok. Ok ok, Iâm done (for now). Promise part 2 will be a little more than just chasing façades.
