Yesterday was slightly different as an energetic level. We finished off our Gaudi experience with a walk all over the roofs and apartments of la Pedreras, the residential building designed by Gaudi, whose owner lived in the first floor 14,000 foot apartment amid the most unique home around anywhere. You should be saying – who walks on roofs? Well, Gaudi is unlike anyone else, and you’d need to see them to believe it. It’s like a Disney that mashed up with a travelogue. Certainly nothing like anything we’ve seen.
We napped, going to some extreme to eternity to our place for an excessively vacation-like snooze, then went out for a remarkable fresh fish dinner. We chose our fish from ice-chilled displays of the day’s catch. Such luxury.
Today, we were back at the Barcelona adventure, learning about the conquering of Barcelona by the Bourbons in the 18th century. We noticed that people here are defiantly Catalonian, speaking it constantly, and teaching their independent proud heritage. It’s quite an open secret that they want to return to self-ownership. Catalonia, and Catalan are words heard frequently, but seldom is the word Spanish engaged.
After a nice walk through town, and a long time at this Born museum, we realized that we were in the middle of a town festival that began today. There were mystical animals created by each part of Barca, each representative of all the usual good and evil stuff, although I couldn’t read all the signs. However, the Catalan flag was flying, and people were parading through downtown several hours later, with those same creations, plus marching bands. It was exciting to be in the middle of it all. Very crowded downtown.
Flamenco performance was exciting, stimulating, and sad, even without understanding the words. The cantor sounded like he was in synagogue, chanting/singing in a minor key while the dancers stamped, swished and swirled, feeling our own passions rise with the guitars and flamboyance.
There was a man dancing, with stovepipe legs, in a suit no less, who had to have burned off 15 lbs with his energy, his footwork, and his amazing performance chops. They work hard. We left buzzed with our taste of authentic Spanish Flamenco.
The party was outside on the promenade as we left, the sun sinking, and the town all showing up for the parade. Forewords, cannons, thunderous explosions reminding me of our own Fourth of July.
Unfortunately, we were in the number one place for pickpockets in the whole world, and a few hours later found ourselves at the police station filling out a report for John whose pocket was quite professionally pilfered. Tomorrow morning we take an early flight to Italy, and cousin John has no credit cards, no wallet, no passport, and no cash.
It’s not an adventure till something goes wrong. On the other hand – no one died, no one is hurt, and we will not be denied our vacation. It’s a temporary setback. The police were wonderful, thoughtful, and very helpful, embarrassed I believe, that such things could happen to a visitor.
Note to the wise. The station attendant said that Vueling (our tomorrow flight) is easier to work with under these circumstances than Ryan Air , who would not accept a police report for such a circumstance. We will make it onto that flight, with luck. Adios Barca – we love your town!