Barcelona - day 2 (Nov. 5)

On our second day in Barcelona, we took an organized bus tour with the other Escapee members that had come to Barcelona three days early before the cruise began.  Our first stop was the La Sagrada Familia.

“Gaudi’s most famous building is a work of unbridled ambition.  He dedicated 4 decades of his life to it, and though the architect left behind no detailed plans, he expected that the cathedral – the world’s largest if completed – would take several generations to finish.  Gaudi envisioned 12 spires (one for each of the Apostles), a massive dome over the apse, and four additional, higher spires, as well as one central bell tower, representing the Virgin Mary.  Portals in the dramatic Nativity facade represent Faith, Hope, and Charity.”  We were unable to go inside as the Pope was arriving the next day to consecrate the cathedral.  We were lucky to get as close as we did because most of the surrounding streets were closed off in preparation shortly after we had walked around.  The size and detail of this cathedral is hard to comprehend without actually seeing it.

We then headed out of the city and up a 4000’ mountain to the Basilica of Montserrat.  Many people make a pilgrimage to this monastery to view the Black Virgin. 

 

We returned to the hotel around 3:00, freshened up, and headed out for a walk with the mission of finding El Palau de la Musica Catalana.  As happened the day before, we got lost!  According to the map, the music hall was only a few blocks away from the hotel.  Did I mention before that it is almost impossible to find a street sign in Barcelona?  Ack!!

After wandering for two hours, we accidentally found the building, but by then it was closed.  We headed back to the hotel, but that took another two hours.  It was only thanks to a young woman in a red cross outfit that we eventually found our way home.  She did not speak English, but thankfully we followed her hand signals and after another four blocks finally came upon La Rambla, the street the hotel was located on.  We certainly did a lot of walking in Barcelona, and much of it was while we were lost.  :(

 

Today was day number 2 of 6 on our route to Nassau, and I spent much of the day just relaxing.  Staff on the ship have said we are nearing the middle of nowhere, so television and internet may go out for a couple of days.  We’ll see what happens.  On a side note, there hasn’t been a day yet that I haven’t tried stepping on the non-existent foot pedal to flush the toilet!  :)  After spending 4 1/2 years living in a motorhome, it’s a hard habit to give up.

 

Thanks for stopping by….talk to you later,  Judy