La Alma de Catalunya

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Too exhausted to write. Let the pictures speak for themselves.

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Photos

Raval District
So this was another morning where I was awake way too early and where everyone I crossed in the streets was up way too late and drunk out their minds. I had to catch a bus in El Raval, which is pretty slummy and smelly. Still, I managed to find a little love.

Montserrat
The day's destination.

Cava
The bus took us to Freixenet first, where they make Spain's finest cava (champagne). Would have maybe been better to do this after the hike to Montserrat, but cava is cava.

In Front of The Monastery
Montserrat is "la alma de catalunya" or "the soul of Cataluna". The rocks were formed from giant rivers which made these very wavy formations. It's soft rock, easily degradable, but they have nonetheless managed to build a complex of religious structures within and amongst the mountain. There are several churches, a bona fide miracle known as "The Black Madonna", three restaurants, an art museum, a boy's choir, a lift, and a gift shop.

St. James Way
These yellow markers show the spiritual pilgrimage path of St. James Way (Camino de Santiago). It's a five week trek that takes you across northern Spain- the best way, they tell me, to see the country.

We Made It!
This church was built in the late 1800s around the cave where the Black Madonna was discovered.

People Taking Pictures of The Black Madonna
After walking all that way, you have to take a picture of something.

Offerings
These are the gifts people have brought to the madonna in thanks to her for answering their prayers.

Brave Souls
Out of some 40 odd people that came to the mountain that day, we were the only five who actually made the long hike to see the madonna. Aaron (in the middle) was the leader, joined by Shanna from New York, Daniel from Cali, and Marisole from Montreal. And, ahem, myself.