Update

Am redirecting this blog to my biblio files... it's what I spend the majority of my time doing anyways as ya'll know


www.thebibliofiles.blogspot.com

Quod scripsi, scripsi.

Amen

"You take a picture of a murder, which is illegal, and you can win Picture of the Year for TIME Magazine. You take a picture of two people having sex, which is not illegal, and you can get thrown in jail."

More Zoo Pictures...

(Pictures taken Feb 5th)

Juvenile Behavior

Flamingos. Its just that it was not expected. But there they were. And I relished in them.
It must be confessed that today was a childish day. It seemed as if the (pre) wrinkles on my face melted away. All because of flamingos. There were many children at the zoo. Accompanied by their parents, here at the park it was their territory; their law. Every animal was a new discovery. At the bear there were cries of "Balu" & the deer "Bambi" & the lion "Simba". Reliving the Disney classics with those who love it publicly is always a feat in itself.

(Picture taken Feb 5th)
I was giggling, greeting the animals good morning, & taking much too many pictures then was necessary. The lion, the orangutan, the dolphins, the leopard, the peacock, it all seemed unbelievable. Only children do these things and for a few hours, again I was a child.

Gaudi

The sad thing is that this is now but a memory when moments before it was reality.

the pictures speak for themselves. Gaudi's love & imagination- it can not be expressed. His attention to the intricate details... *sigh*...the pictures speak for themselves.
(Pics taken Feb 4)

Hola! Barcelona!

Barcelona greeted me with something unique...
But a nice reminder of someone back home who would have loved to be in my shoes.
(Pic taken Jan 22)

Tapies

(Pic taken Feb 3 & Jan 27th)

Today, after a morning poring over notes & recordings of lunches with Jesus, went to a museum devoted to Antoni Tapies, a Catalan painter whom is considered to be the modern Spanish artistic icon. Personally, the best part of the visit was to see the outside of the Modernista building built by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, who also designed Palau de la Música Catalana. However, I was forewarned. Jesus did say that Tapies is somewhat repetitive ... In his defense, JV did argue that Tapies' work questions the way we observe. Though, once again personally, in this day and age is... well ... repetitive.

One of my favorite places, the Palace of the King of Aragon is where Christopher Columbus returned with his new-found treasures included a few "Indians". This is where the Queen asked the infamous question on whether these beings were human. After much debate it was determined that one must speak Spainish to be human.
The fact that these gentleman had learned some words during the trip across the Atlantic was not taken into consideration.
(Pic taken Jan 27th)

On the Menu

Supper this evening is a local Catalan classic am told.
Charcoal Paella makes for an interesting meal though not the tastiest.
(Pic feb 3 @ Travel Bar)

TYPICAL BARCELONA

(Pics taken feb 2nd & 1st)

Little Piece of "Heaven"

(Picture taken Jan 31st. Gothic Area)

Everyday as the students of the
School of Architecture go to class, they are greeted with a little piece of genius.
3 guesses as to who...

Unexpected Suprises are always the Best...

The most wonderful part of Barcelona is the extremes one finds here. In Starbucks, a beautiful lady entered in with pastel pick heels, a tope suit, and a green mint neck scarf. Walking up to the counter, she removed her motor-helmet to reveal a face with wrinkles and bright eyes. She is beautiful.
The next day as was locking the apartment door, a young university student was wearing 10 pounds of makeup with penciled eyebrows, marine blue eyeliner and orange lipstick. She is ...
This picture was one captured as was exploring the Gothic area of this city. In a dark alley way a tiled art piece was plastered to the wall. So unexpected, like the ladies above, it leaves an impression not soon forgotten.

Barcelona to Date

Barcelona... in one week have seen more than any tourist should. Driven by the fact that was somewht ashamed to have known about the Catalans and their history with Spain and Spaniards, my goal has been to become informed on the subject in fear that through ignorance may insult a citizen here unwittingly. In short, the relationship is much like 'conflict' between Francophone and Anglophones in Quebec, the so-called two Solitudes which, as we know, paradoxically enrich both cultures in degrees that cannot be explained.

But little secrets can be unveiled that demonstrate just how unique Barcelona (and Montreal ) are for that matter. The streets in Barcelona are shaped like a diamond. Gisella, a guide from InfoTuriste, explained is due to the fact that it helped to control traffic - though do not quite understand that. The streets are made with rectangular stone in the gothic area and north of Plaza Catalunya, where the Modernista style prevailed, Gaudi's Tiles are found on every major street sidewalk. Walking down a dark alley way can lead to a beautiful piece of painted tiles that is plastered to the walls just as a stroll on boardwalk will bring you in close contact with some of the tseilgu(read backwards so help me how else to describe this) women imaginable! Never have a people been so extreme - with old Nannies driving up in scooters so attractive pink heels, to people in business suits perfectly cut & young scholars with faces so caked in junk and makeup one instinctively turns away from the tragedy. In 10 days, have witnessed 2 riots. At first was extremely impressed by the sheer volume of the people but it turns out that it is a rather common event to stop traffic and beat drums during rush hour. Perhaps another motivation to not own a car. Then again there usually aren't any sidewalks period so being a pedestrian is not much more apealing either.
All this to say that to an American(Westerner? Canadian?)raises entirely another cultural issue does it not), how odd these bizarre, seemingly-illogical details that make a city. The tourists and students seem frustrated by Catalans and their perceived 'stupidity' of resisting Spanish language. This tension however also brings some humor and creativity that would not be found in a more bland conformant people.

Travel Bar, my new wi-fi haven, is a little Barcelona secret. Heather, the wife of the owner, is from Long Island New York & was married in the mansion of Great Gatsby Sept 2006. (which just so happens is my favorite book)
(pic Feb 2nd)