Eximple

The hotel I had booked us into after cancelling my original hotel choice because of the civil unrest in Barcelona was only one metro stop from the airport. We were the only people who got off at the station, and we emerged into what seemed to be a deserted industrial park. An Amazon Warehouse surrounded by a huge almost empty parking lot filled one long block. It was a Thursday afternoon around 3 PM so I'm not sure why all the parking lots were so empty and no one was in sight. It all felt kind of creepy, but we walked the half mile or so to the hotel without incident.

The hotel itself was quite nice. We settled into our room and headed to the bar for a drink. As we sat enjoying the peaceful atmosphere and resting after our long journey, American tourists began to surround us. Apparently, the hotel was a popular place for cruise ships to house their passengers as they transitioned between the ship and the airport. We could hear the complaints all around us. The hamburgers weren't like American hamburgers. The weather was too hot. America was being cheated because of tarriffs charged by European countries. Sigh. We really didn't feel like talking to these people.

The next day, our last full day in Spain, we decided to pursue our original plan of wandering through the streets of the neighborhood known as Eixample. I wanted to see some of the buildings designed by the innovative architect Antoni Gaudí, especially his masterpiece La Sagrada Familia.

When I saw this incredible cathedral, all I could say was "Wow!" It truly defies belief. It looked to me like a giant sand castle decorated with the most amazing adornments. Photos truly do not do it justice. I had expected to see a remarkable building, but this was truely unbelievable.

Construction of this surprising building began in 1882, and it is not expected to be completed until 2026. Gaudí actually took over after the original architect resigned, but he completely transformed the design.

I was overcome with awe all over again when I saw the other side of the building. The textured facade seemed even more sandcastle-like.

Unfortunately, we hadn't purchased tickets to visit the inside because we weren't even sure we would be able to see the outside of the cathedral because of the demonstrations, but that will definitely be on the top of the list of things I want to see if I return to Barcelona.

As you might expect from the very unique buildings he designed, Gaudí was somewhat eccentric. In his youth, he suffered from poor health which he attempted to improve by eating a vegetarian diet and undergoing long fasts to the extent that they became life-threatening. He was devoutly religious throughout his entire life and dedicated to his profession. Although he was quite urbane in his youth, he died at the age of 73 after being hit by a streetcar. No one rushed to his aid because he was mistaken for a beggar.

Our last stop of the day was Casa Batlló, once the home of the prominent businessman Josep Batlló and his family. According to Wikipedia, Batlló wanted an architect who would design a house like no other, and Gaudí certainly granted that wish.

On the day of our departure, a shuttle bus was available to take guests from the hotel to the airport so we didn't have to drag our bags back to the metro station. Although the airport itself was crowded and somewhat chaotic, there were no demonstrations. The long trip home was as arduous as usual, but aside from an insanely stupid plane changing process in Toronto which took hours and hours and much waiting in line, we eventually arrived home at the scheduled time.

As I write this during the coronovirus pandemic of 2020, I remember all the awesome experiences we had in this wonderful country and I wonder if travel will ever be this carefree again.