Last Full Day in Barcelona

We start our last day in Barcelona with the noise of the jack hammer and the backhoe outside our apartment. We noticed upon our return yesterday that portions of the street were blocked off. Wow was it noisy! And Rob's sore throat softened into congestion and a cough hours earlier, so he had already gotten up and made a cup of tea that he actually didn't drink because he had fallen to sleep on the couch. Both boys were having digestion problems, and even though it felt good to be back in our little pad in Barcelona, there was some not-feeling-so-good aspects to the day.

In spite of that, we went to Park Guell, a hilltop in the city upon which Gaudi designed many wacky and whimsical walkways with arched supports, a plateau edged with undulating mosaic benches and an expanse of sand. The famous mosaic lizard fountain, the towering roof structures on the gate houses, the gate itself were only part of the draw for the enormous volume of tourists who climbed the hill and wandered about.

We escaped the tourists and had a nice little lunch in Gracia neighborhood, in Placa de la Virreina. It was at this point that Jesse and Russell headed for home, and Rob and I made our final trip to Montjuic in order to go to the National Museum of Catalunyan Art. We enjoyed the earliest departments that housed beautiful 11th-13th century frescoes from small chapels, scooted through the Gothic and Renaissance halls, and ended up with Julio Gonzales sculptures that were a thrill to see.

Then, since we were there, we walked up the hill to get close to the Calatrava radio tower and the other Olympic structures. A beautiful evening, the light and the blue sky really showed off the Calatrava, and it was fun to see a group of teenage boys hop up and begin climbing on the lowest level of the roofed structure. Just what you would expect them to do.

Dinner was a mishmash of whatever was in the fridge, part of our traditional departure behavior. Even if we think we might go out for dinner, we end up eating the leftovers, but tonight was elevated by the bottle of Raventos i Blanc rose sparkling wine we had bought in the local wine shop after our trip to their vineyard. We had already purchased another bottle of their brut to leave for our host family, so we HAD to drink this rose ... Well, it made the rest of the ratatouille, salad, pizza, ramen, and olives taste great. Washing towels and sheets before heading to bed, packing suitcases and getting organized with passports, attempting to confirm seat assignments, and keep up with the Olympics made it a busy evening here in Barcelona!

Our next post will probably be stateside. It's been an unusual trip and all four of us will mull it over in our own way. As with all vacations, it feels a little strange that, as Russell said, "we didn't accomplish anything" To which Jesse replied, "that's what makes vacations so strange." And so they are!