Monday, June 21, 2004
Days started to go by amazingly fast. End of third long weekend and only got partially caught up on work. Just came back from open-air gospel choir concert in Plaza Catalunya which was great. "And the walls came tumbling down", "Oh Happy Day", "at the Table", "Hallelulah", and so on in Catalan, Spanish, and English. All in purple robes, only one that might have been African American, everyone grooving, even the sign language interpreter. Didn't get to invite rest of Tech crowd so didn't get to share excitement afterwards, but maybe will try to go to one of their rehearsals.
Tried to do a little sightseeing today, but got incredibly tired. Went back to Hospital Creu and Sant Pau and got a 1 1/2 hr private tour for 3 euros. As it turns out the interiors weren't quite as impressive as the exteriors but it was still interesting to find out the backstory behind all the symbols and architecture. Architecture Montaner used a lot of mosaics, put in initials and crests in a lot of places. Still in use as a public hospital but as UNESCO monument with another hospital being built in back, will soon become a museum.
Afterwards walked to Sagrada Familia,which was just a few blocks down the street. Many restaurants, bakeries, gelaterias still open, so got Chinese food and fresh orange juice(the store kind is so blah). Got student discount so went in for 2nd time and got basically same reaction as first 6 years ago--once got past front facade and went inside, said "That's it??". Went part of way up tower but got dizzy since no side railing and was afraid of falling. Got to see parts of tower up close--able to see details like words "Hosanna" and "Sanctus" on side. CD rom in museum gave more details to aspects such as lighting so was able to appreciate the meager interior more. Sobered by fragments from original structure, much of which destroyed by mob during Civil War. Even the original models and sketches were destroyed, so they had to piece together to keep on going and rebuild. Staircase supposed to look like shell from top, but that's one scene I was happy enough to see in postcard rather than climbing up 200 more stairs. Close up was able to see turtle, new white towers with candy on top, and angel playing the bassoon.
Afterwards took metro to Horta to do one of tours in book, but too tired to go further even after getting more to drink. Saw specials in call center, about 1/4 price to call U.S. than to call cell phone in Spain, but Mom still not home and only know people's cell phone numbers which would cost them a lot for international calls so have to stick to email for now. Cheaper for me too anyway--always have the feeling I've lost track of some money since it's just too easy to give out money when it's in coins.
Last night saw Shakespeare A Capella in Catalan. Was warned that I might not understand much and that was only half singing but got tickets anyway. The singing was good, but guess I don't know as much Shakespeare as I thought because I only recognized 2 of the monologues--the one about seeing something through the window and Juliet being the sun and Marc Anthony's speech from Julius Caesar. It was mixed up with a lot of arguing and random discussions so it wasn't even all Shakespeare. Weirdest moment when one guy stripped down to underwear and put on a black bra and lipstick and at the end of whatever he said they poured a pitcher of water over him. Found out afterwards it was from Macbeth. Long walk back afterwards--should have taken metro.
Tried to do a little sightseeing today, but got incredibly tired. Went back to Hospital Creu and Sant Pau and got a 1 1/2 hr private tour for 3 euros. As it turns out the interiors weren't quite as impressive as the exteriors but it was still interesting to find out the backstory behind all the symbols and architecture. Architecture Montaner used a lot of mosaics, put in initials and crests in a lot of places. Still in use as a public hospital but as UNESCO monument with another hospital being built in back, will soon become a museum.
Afterwards walked to Sagrada Familia,which was just a few blocks down the street. Many restaurants, bakeries, gelaterias still open, so got Chinese food and fresh orange juice(the store kind is so blah). Got student discount so went in for 2nd time and got basically same reaction as first 6 years ago--once got past front facade and went inside, said "That's it??". Went part of way up tower but got dizzy since no side railing and was afraid of falling. Got to see parts of tower up close--able to see details like words "Hosanna" and "Sanctus" on side. CD rom in museum gave more details to aspects such as lighting so was able to appreciate the meager interior more. Sobered by fragments from original structure, much of which destroyed by mob during Civil War. Even the original models and sketches were destroyed, so they had to piece together to keep on going and rebuild. Staircase supposed to look like shell from top, but that's one scene I was happy enough to see in postcard rather than climbing up 200 more stairs. Close up was able to see turtle, new white towers with candy on top, and angel playing the bassoon.
Afterwards took metro to Horta to do one of tours in book, but too tired to go further even after getting more to drink. Saw specials in call center, about 1/4 price to call U.S. than to call cell phone in Spain, but Mom still not home and only know people's cell phone numbers which would cost them a lot for international calls so have to stick to email for now. Cheaper for me too anyway--always have the feeling I've lost track of some money since it's just too easy to give out money when it's in coins.
Last night saw Shakespeare A Capella in Catalan. Was warned that I might not understand much and that was only half singing but got tickets anyway. The singing was good, but guess I don't know as much Shakespeare as I thought because I only recognized 2 of the monologues--the one about seeing something through the window and Juliet being the sun and Marc Anthony's speech from Julius Caesar. It was mixed up with a lot of arguing and random discussions so it wasn't even all Shakespeare. Weirdest moment when one guy stripped down to underwear and put on a black bra and lipstick and at the end of whatever he said they poured a pitcher of water over him. Found out afterwards it was from Macbeth. Long walk back afterwards--should have taken metro.
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