Sorry for the time between posts, I have been extremely busy traveling, checking out the major tourist attractions, planning future trips, and (oh yeah) attending classes! This last week included the fiery spectacle that is the Feast of Saint Joan, fiestiaing (a new word?) at the posh CDLC on Barcoloneta beach, climbing the craggy peaks of Montserrat, and a refreshing swim in in the Piscinas Montjuic (beautiful pools overlooking the city, the former home of the high dive in the 1992 Summer Olympics. The scenery and landscapes that abound in the Catalunya region of Spain ane incredible and offer both high mountain peaks and ever-expanding sprawling overlooks of the Mediterranian sea and expansive beaches.
The feast of Sant Joan, an annual festival of fire and the Summer solstice emerging from pagan traditions, was an incredible displey of countless floral, shimmering colors exploding in the sky, all night reverly including enough cava to fill an ocean and bonfires that burn past morning. We spent the night on the beach with a large group of friends, and enjoyed the festivities and delicious ¨Coques¨, traditional pasteries made with fruit and anise. The fireworks were spectacular and not only relagated to the air above the water, with children and others ensuring that the fireworks continue in and around the crowd (I actaully took a firework to the leg, luckly my jeans saved me!). The night itself was filled with the youthful, ecstacic spirit of Spain, always full of life, happiness and appreciation for the ¨finer¨ (hedonistic :) ) side of life.
On Saturday, we traveled once again on the incredibly efficient train system for about an hour to the cable car that extends directly up the mountain to the classical monastery, museum and paths above. The cliffs of Montserrat are like none other in the same vicinity, showing a very rounded, ¨serrated¨appearance, that have shown through geologic evidence to have been under the sea millions of years ago in history! WE purchased both tickets at the Espanya station and were successful in reaching near the top of the mountain. I would highly recommend traveling to Montserrat for a day trip for all who visit Barcelona.
The monastery was incredible as well as the cathedral next to it, while the museum was also amazing. We came at the right time apparently, as the museum had on loan a comprehensive collection of archeological artifacts from the Sumerians, Egyptians and ancient Iberian peoples. They even had a mummy and pottery with cuneiform (the oldest form of writing!), and also many sculptures and tools. Even more exciting was the museum´s collection of Picasso, Monet and Dali, with several pieces on display nearly 5000 feet above sealevel in a building literally carved out of a mountain! A Bunch of pictures are to come!!
The monastery was incredible as well as the cathedral next to it, while the museum was also amazing. We came at the right time apparently, as the museum had on loan a comprehensive collection of archeological artifacts from the Sumerians, Egyptians and ancient Iberian peoples. They even had a mummy and pottery with cuneiform (the oldest form of writing!), and also many sculptures and tools. Even more exciting was the museum´s collection of Picasso, Monet and Dali, with several pieces on display nearly 5000 feet above sealevel in a building literally carved out of a mountain! A Bunch of pictures are to come!!
No comments:
Post a Comment