20220423 Gaudi: This has been a strange day with ups and downs. Slept until about 8:00, which was very good for a first night in different time zone. Went down to the restaurant for the usual over-the-top buffet. You could even order eggs in any style. Nice, though, for sure.
We had thought we had contracted just for us to get PCR tests, but, it seemed, that Regent had booked a room with a nurse for the tests. So, we got in line and got tested. (And tonight, we got the paperwork back and we’re clear). Up to the room to get our gear for the day and met Marcella Gonzales, our guide, in the lobby.
It is Sant Jordi (Saint George) Day. It’s huge. The streets are wall-to-wall people. Men buy roses for the women and women buy books for men. Marcella told us six million roses are sold this day along with 1.5 million books. There are pop-up tents lining blocks with roses and books to sell. There were people standing in line for at least a block long to go to a particular booth. And, since many of the streets were blocked off for the festival, traffic on the other streets was standstill.
We walked up past La Pedrera (Casa Mila) into the Gracia neighborhood. Lots of beautiful old buildings interspersed with newer ones. Balconies and doors and adornment all wonderful Art Nouveau. Went past a big market and to Casa Vicens Gaudi, Gaudi’s first house. As with all the Gaudi buildings, it’s hard to try to explain the intricacies, colors, materials, style of Casa Vicens. Fascinating and it has the original house plus an addition with a modern interior.
From there we were supposed to walk through the neighborhood and go to various squares. However, it started to rain, then heavy rain, then hail…big hail! When it was just raining again, we walked quickly a few hundred yards to Bodega Quimet, which was quite crowded with people getting out the rain. Marcella had a reservation, thank goodness, and we had a very nice lunch in this local spot.
Was still raining, but not as much. We were supposed to go to Sant Pau, but it was getting late. We walked quite a bit to a subway stop that took us to the stop for Sagrada Familia. When we got on the crowded train, a man got out of his seat and insisted I sit down. Oh, I’m at the age where people get up and offer me a seat! Yow. With the rain and the holiday, it was more crowded than ever. Mind blowing. Gorgeous. Unbelievably unique. Colors, Reflected colors. Light coming in all over the place. Pictures can only whet your appetite for the place.
While there, got call from Sabrina’s vet. She’s been sick and they are not sure what it going on. More tests Monday.
Starting before we got there and really getting worse for me once we were there was my back. It was out! I really could not stand up or walk without tilting way to the left. I was fine, not tired, just really sore. Some of this was exacerbated by my twisting to take images of the ceiling or columns. We were there a little over and hour. Did not see some of the facades since it was really raining hard. By the time we left, I was in pain and physically unable to walk in any balanced way. I used railings and Jeff supported me.
Got back to the subway and took it to a few blocks from the hotel where Marcella left us. Walked very slowly to the hotel. Jeff then called and got me an appointment in about an hour at the hotel spa for an hour massage. Also, he gave me a strong Ibuprofen, which really helped. Had a lovely massage. First one I’ve had since beginning of Covid! Felt much better and could walk upright again!!
Marcella had made us a reservation at Can Majo, right on the waterfront, for tapas. This is a full restaurant, not just a tapas bar. We sat in a heated tent by the water and shared some excellent tapas. However, getting there was hard given the celebration and streets being blocked off. The taxi could only creep along. Bet it took at least 20 minutes. But the wait was worth it. Got there about 8:15 and ate at an appropriate Spain supper time. Back to the hotel to write this, do some image tagging, and then it’s a shower, shave, and bedtime.
Share this post
