Tuesday, July 20, 2004
Countdown to going home so rushing to finish everything before going home on Friday. Am relaxing a bit--had planned to go to Nuria today, but judging from train schedule, would take 4 hrs to get there to just see scenery, which I´ve already seen a lot of already. So today I went to Palau de Musica Catalana to get tickets for Thursday night concert and then up to Parc Guell, which is a lot larger than I remember it being. On the bus I met 4 Korean girls who were also visiting--bumped into at least a dozen while I was there so guess it´s their vacation season as well. They were impressed at my attempts at Korean and responded with rapid-fire Korean which I didn't understand. So it was fun to have people to talk with--luckily their English was good.
Yesterday Rosa invited me to go swimming with her at her club--she usually doesn't go because she doesn't like going by herself. So spent over an hour in the smaller warm pool and jacuzzy since wasn't up to laps in cold water.
Afterwards, to UPC to return book, but library closed so just used wireless for a while. Rushed to movie, "El Ultimo Beso",an Italian movie which was supposedly a comedy but which seemed to have a depressing message, at least for the women in the movie, esp the 18 yr that ends up having her heart broken by this guy cheating on his girlfriend. Oh well. Leisurely walk back home through Les Corts neighborhood.
Sunday, slow start so got to cathedral around 1:30. Luckily the Sardana was still going on so got to join in for 2 dances. Older guy took on role of instructor to me, 2 girls from Valencia, and another Mexican girl. Was sure to tell me how I was doing it wrong even though I was trying to imitate him.
So then decided to go to Sitges for afternoon--ended up second guessing myself since there was stuff going on in the park and Raval and a special tour was going on on Monday, but thought I might as well in case I wanted to go to all the museums as well as Nuria. Worried about getting tickets, but luckily found machine that was already set for a round-trip to Sitges. Thought I had just missed train, but turned out to be wrong train anyway so was a few minutes early.Sitges was O.K--pretty architecture, small beach in comparison to San Sebastian, and 100% touristy.
Museums were good--the first one was Russiñol, a famous painter's house, so had all his stuff--walls covered with plate collection and paintings, mostly not his. Ruben Casas and a few El Greco's. Across the street a temporary exhibit with photographs of Dali and hippies from Cadagues during late 60s. Next door, another museum with bottom floor full of sculpture and Romanesque stuff and upper floor with more interesting pictures, some impressionist and more modern. Carbonell and Ferrer i Pino, but unfortunately they didn't have postcards.
Last, the Romantic museum, where by tour only and since I was only one there, had guide all to myself. She was really friendly, went to Miami often to visit boyfriend, and asked how I had liked Barcelona. Said I was lucky, that it was actually less crowded than usual since it was now cheaper for Spanish people to spend two weeks in the Caribbean all expenses paid than to travel within Spain. Many dolls with fashions of 19th century, though all from France and Germany so only one with Catalan outfit, none traditionally Spanish. Apparently these porcelain dolls were used by seamstresses to display the latest models for dress before doing full-size. Guide said some people got creeped out by all the dolls and didn't want to go on the floor. Dollhouse with small details too. Bottom floor had small dioramas with stages of woman's life who had lived there (birth, childhood, coming out into society,marriage, grandmotherhood) as well as village life with small models.
By this time it was around 8 and everyone was coming back from the beach, making the streets really crowded. Wandered around shops then went back on a crowded train--luckily found a seat.
Had free pass for salsa dance club nearby so stopped by, but not reallly conducive to going by myself since everyone was already dancing in couples. Oh well.
Saturday, started off unsure whether going to Sitges,since Ga Tech people would be there, or to Miro museum and Montjuic. Ended up going to Miro, since that closes early on Sunday and altogether on Monday. Good choice--it's an amazing museum. Temporary exhibit had some pretty powerful pieces--one installation with blood, fries, hamburgers, McDonalds logo, models, crashed planes and war scenes everywhere. Familiar message. A movie with dancing baby and mushroom clouds and another one showing changes with Michael Jackson over years as he's gotten freakier, comparing to freak appearance in Thriller. One video with Bush during live press conference and photos with things on top of each other, balanced moment before everything before was going to fall down "Equilibrium is at its most beautiful shortly before it collapses", which was quite striking. And then there was Miro. Mostly paintings with some sculpture thrown in. Wow. Room after room. Ended up staying several hours, partly because I had to wait for the audio guide and then spent too much time in gift shop. By time I got out, most of the gardens were closed--the only one I walked through had lots of families and even a few bridal couples who were there to pose for photos.
Found El Grec theatre and was hoping to get tickets for Cesaria Evora on Monday, but turns out it had been sold out for 3 weeks! The one that night was still available, but I was hoping to go see a Brazillian group play at the Pedrera. I called Beto before going to make sure he and his friends were still going, but word from him was that it had been sold out for a week. So walked all the way back to El Grec to see the performance there which was performers from Africa doing a good variety of jazzy type stuff to Soweto style in outdoor theatre. Usher told me to sit up front since theatre not filled. Mind drifting in and out during performance, organizing what I wanted to do this week so productive and entertaining. At end, people started dancing on large front area of stage but security brushed us off (thought that's what space was for). African guy ended up getting up with 90 ish year old woman which everyone was quite taken by--guess at that age you can do what you want.
Friday afternoon finally got together with Luis for lunch on Passeig de Gracia. Was the first time I had really talked to him--didn't even realize that he was older than I was and even Julie is close to my age at 34!
Friday night went to Forum since Beto sent out a mass invitation to hear a famous Brazillian singer. Went for night ticket so couldn't enter until 8:30. Caught a bit of a few exhibits closing at 9--one on cities with models of famous buildings, mostly from Barcelona and models of Tokyo and New York City. Many video displays. The next hall, Voces, about how 95% of languages were in danger of dying out. Many video monitors with people all over world speaking different languages. Outside parade of giants from Catalunya area crossing bridge. Line to see Xian warriors--only about 5 so not quite as impressive as was expecting. Then pyrotechnic display in lake--divers swim to middle to stand on chair and hold up torches. Bizarre. Finally nearing time for concert--luckily found Beto and his friends right away so didn't have to find a pay phone to call him. Pretty low-key, mostly bossa-nova. Wandered over to see Voladores de Papantla and salsa band/dance. Fun. Took while to get back, got on metro with another of Beto's new Brazillian friends so at least had someone to chat with. Bumped into two guys from Georgia Tech who got on next car so they changed to my car and chatted for a while. They had later flights than the rest of Tech people, so didn't have to worry about the 4 am pickup for the airport. Was fun to see people I know randomly like that--even if we don't talk normally, it's good to see a familiar face.
Yesterday Rosa invited me to go swimming with her at her club--she usually doesn't go because she doesn't like going by herself. So spent over an hour in the smaller warm pool and jacuzzy since wasn't up to laps in cold water.
Afterwards, to UPC to return book, but library closed so just used wireless for a while. Rushed to movie, "El Ultimo Beso",an Italian movie which was supposedly a comedy but which seemed to have a depressing message, at least for the women in the movie, esp the 18 yr that ends up having her heart broken by this guy cheating on his girlfriend. Oh well. Leisurely walk back home through Les Corts neighborhood.
Sunday, slow start so got to cathedral around 1:30. Luckily the Sardana was still going on so got to join in for 2 dances. Older guy took on role of instructor to me, 2 girls from Valencia, and another Mexican girl. Was sure to tell me how I was doing it wrong even though I was trying to imitate him.
So then decided to go to Sitges for afternoon--ended up second guessing myself since there was stuff going on in the park and Raval and a special tour was going on on Monday, but thought I might as well in case I wanted to go to all the museums as well as Nuria. Worried about getting tickets, but luckily found machine that was already set for a round-trip to Sitges. Thought I had just missed train, but turned out to be wrong train anyway so was a few minutes early.Sitges was O.K--pretty architecture, small beach in comparison to San Sebastian, and 100% touristy.
Museums were good--the first one was Russiñol, a famous painter's house, so had all his stuff--walls covered with plate collection and paintings, mostly not his. Ruben Casas and a few El Greco's. Across the street a temporary exhibit with photographs of Dali and hippies from Cadagues during late 60s. Next door, another museum with bottom floor full of sculpture and Romanesque stuff and upper floor with more interesting pictures, some impressionist and more modern. Carbonell and Ferrer i Pino, but unfortunately they didn't have postcards.
Last, the Romantic museum, where by tour only and since I was only one there, had guide all to myself. She was really friendly, went to Miami often to visit boyfriend, and asked how I had liked Barcelona. Said I was lucky, that it was actually less crowded than usual since it was now cheaper for Spanish people to spend two weeks in the Caribbean all expenses paid than to travel within Spain. Many dolls with fashions of 19th century, though all from France and Germany so only one with Catalan outfit, none traditionally Spanish. Apparently these porcelain dolls were used by seamstresses to display the latest models for dress before doing full-size. Guide said some people got creeped out by all the dolls and didn't want to go on the floor. Dollhouse with small details too. Bottom floor had small dioramas with stages of woman's life who had lived there (birth, childhood, coming out into society,marriage, grandmotherhood) as well as village life with small models.
By this time it was around 8 and everyone was coming back from the beach, making the streets really crowded. Wandered around shops then went back on a crowded train--luckily found a seat.
Had free pass for salsa dance club nearby so stopped by, but not reallly conducive to going by myself since everyone was already dancing in couples. Oh well.
Saturday, started off unsure whether going to Sitges,since Ga Tech people would be there, or to Miro museum and Montjuic. Ended up going to Miro, since that closes early on Sunday and altogether on Monday. Good choice--it's an amazing museum. Temporary exhibit had some pretty powerful pieces--one installation with blood, fries, hamburgers, McDonalds logo, models, crashed planes and war scenes everywhere. Familiar message. A movie with dancing baby and mushroom clouds and another one showing changes with Michael Jackson over years as he's gotten freakier, comparing to freak appearance in Thriller. One video with Bush during live press conference and photos with things on top of each other, balanced moment before everything before was going to fall down "Equilibrium is at its most beautiful shortly before it collapses", which was quite striking. And then there was Miro. Mostly paintings with some sculpture thrown in. Wow. Room after room. Ended up staying several hours, partly because I had to wait for the audio guide and then spent too much time in gift shop. By time I got out, most of the gardens were closed--the only one I walked through had lots of families and even a few bridal couples who were there to pose for photos.
Found El Grec theatre and was hoping to get tickets for Cesaria Evora on Monday, but turns out it had been sold out for 3 weeks! The one that night was still available, but I was hoping to go see a Brazillian group play at the Pedrera. I called Beto before going to make sure he and his friends were still going, but word from him was that it had been sold out for a week. So walked all the way back to El Grec to see the performance there which was performers from Africa doing a good variety of jazzy type stuff to Soweto style in outdoor theatre. Usher told me to sit up front since theatre not filled. Mind drifting in and out during performance, organizing what I wanted to do this week so productive and entertaining. At end, people started dancing on large front area of stage but security brushed us off (thought that's what space was for). African guy ended up getting up with 90 ish year old woman which everyone was quite taken by--guess at that age you can do what you want.
Friday afternoon finally got together with Luis for lunch on Passeig de Gracia. Was the first time I had really talked to him--didn't even realize that he was older than I was and even Julie is close to my age at 34!
Friday night went to Forum since Beto sent out a mass invitation to hear a famous Brazillian singer. Went for night ticket so couldn't enter until 8:30. Caught a bit of a few exhibits closing at 9--one on cities with models of famous buildings, mostly from Barcelona and models of Tokyo and New York City. Many video displays. The next hall, Voces, about how 95% of languages were in danger of dying out. Many video monitors with people all over world speaking different languages. Outside parade of giants from Catalunya area crossing bridge. Line to see Xian warriors--only about 5 so not quite as impressive as was expecting. Then pyrotechnic display in lake--divers swim to middle to stand on chair and hold up torches. Bizarre. Finally nearing time for concert--luckily found Beto and his friends right away so didn't have to find a pay phone to call him. Pretty low-key, mostly bossa-nova. Wandered over to see Voladores de Papantla and salsa band/dance. Fun. Took while to get back, got on metro with another of Beto's new Brazillian friends so at least had someone to chat with. Bumped into two guys from Georgia Tech who got on next car so they changed to my car and chatted for a while. They had later flights than the rest of Tech people, so didn't have to worry about the 4 am pickup for the airport. Was fun to see people I know randomly like that--even if we don't talk normally, it's good to see a familiar face.
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