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Published: October 27th 2019
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Last day - where did the time go? Apparently 10 days is really not enough to experience Spain. Two days are lost in flying and Spain is an immense country. So lots of time lost travelllng between cities. I would love to have had another day in Cordoba and another day in Sevilla and another day in Granada. So much packed into so few days.
A city bus tour started the day today with a short stop on top of a foothill with a magnificent view of the city of Barcelona and in the distance the Sagrada Familia which we will visit later today with a private tour. Continuing on past the port of Barcelona which the third largest in Spain. The harbour is packed full of cruise ships, freighters and innumerable sailboats. Barcelona is a rich city and the evidence shows with all the monster sized yachts sitting in the docks. Down the roadway, the Mediterranean is pushing large breakers onto the beach and surfers are taking full advantage of the remaining warm weather.
Next stop off the bus is a short walk to the Sagrada Familia for a walking tour around the perimeter. I am speechless! I
cannot begin to explain what the Sagrada Familia looks like. Sagrada Familia means “whole family”. Antoni Gaudi was the futuristic architect who designed and oversaw the construction of the cathedral. He died after being struck by a tram in the roadway and the city is continuing to work on the cathedral according to his plans. It will be at least another 7 years before it is completed. Keep in mind that construction has been ongoing for approximately 130 years already. If you put this building into the Lord of the Rings it would be appropriate - it is like a fantasy castle. Gaudi believed that the building should incorporate all nature into the concept. The doors into the cathedral are green leaves with all sorts of small creatures hidden into it. The more it is touched the more beautiful the patina becomes. Everthing is designed to be touched. I cannot put into words what is outside and inside this magnificent building. I would advise you to go on line and do some research. Gaudi was a hundred years ahead of his time with architectural concepts. We are fortunate to see some of his other buildings in the city and they
are just as fantastic.
Another walking tour through the old city with narrow, winding streets and uncountable churches. There are relics from the time of the Inquisition around every corner. We have a short free time to get some lunch and do some power shopping before we meet the bus again to take us to our private tour of Sagrada Familia. There are nine of us so it’s a really great tour and the guide was great. The west windows are reds, oranges and yellows to take advantage of the setting sun. East side is blues and greens for the dawning light. All statues are futuristically shaped with sharp angles but still recognizable. Gaudi is buried in the crypt of his life passion.
This evening is free to do our repacking and get ready for our flight tomorrow morning. After a walk around the streets, it’s time for dinner. A Mediterranean restaurant across the road from our hotel beckons us for our dinner. Lynne and I were adventurous and ordered Mixed Grill having no idea what we might get. After a starter of goat cheese salad, we were served a delicious mix of chicken, sausage, lamb, goat and
rabbit along with roasted potato and grilled tomato.
Tomorrow will start early with bus loading at 6:15 am, a quick breakfast and then off to the airport. Some of the airport workers are on strike so David wants to get us there with lots of time to spare. Time to get some sleep and look forward to being home.
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