Walking is the theme of the day…as is Antoni Gaudí. What an amazing day. We walked and walked and walked (in our nice shoes this time…on day one we wore our running shoes…not today…for style reasons. The Spanish are very stylish about shoes). We visited Park Grüell and Gaudí’s home which has been transformed into a museum. It was Saturday and the park was filled with people: couples, families, women or men pushing strollers, teens and children, grandparents and tourists, of course. The weather was so warm, we saw many in T-shirts. This great weather has been one of the greatest gifts of our time so far.
We also visited Sagrada Familia, the most amazing cathedral of modern times I have ever seen…a work in progress, a true work of art, begun by Gaudí and continued by the community. All the monies for the project come through private donation. The master plan is Gaudí’s, but the practical reality is being worked out by thousands of artists and artisans today. Gaudí died in 1926, this project still goes on in his name. The façade on one side, the stations of the cross and crucifixion…the façade on the entrance, the nativity and joyful mysteries around Jesus’ birth. The towers are enormous and my words cannot quite capture the enormity of the place.
We entered the Contemporary museum of art (we were not impressed) and ate at a sidewalk tapas place and people watched, then took the metro back to the hotel. We’re packing for Ávila now. We both could have visited more places in Barcelona, but we’re excited for a chance to enjoy a more focused spiritual pilgrimage in Ávila among the Carmelites. We will take one day for prayer retreat and one day to see the sights in town, most of which have to do with Teresa and St. John of the Cross. Sharon and I have both been reading Interior Castles, by Teresa and have reason to visit this special spiritual locale. We may not post for a couple of days. We’re not sure what our internet access will be, but hopefully, we’ll be back online in Madrid.
Sharon says she’s feeling better, but still on the mend. She’s thankful (Bora) for that ½ marathon training she did all Fall because walking has been easy despite her cold…so thanks for having that 40th birthday celebration and road race. We miss you.
Sharon says she’s feeling better, but still on the mend. She’s thankful (Bora) for that ½ marathon training she did all Fall because walking has been easy despite her cold…so thanks for having that 40th birthday celebration and road race. We miss you.
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