Check out the boy's facial expression.
Check out the boy's facial expression.
0 2024/12/14 20:34:00
The end of the kids correfoc. It began to rain. A cold rain not conducive to people with illness.
The end of the kids correfoc. It began to rain. A cold rain not conducive to people with illness.
0 2024/12/14 20:35:59
First, an overview.
First, an overview.
0 2024/12/14 13:14:43
We rented two different apartments in Barcelona. The first week was in Born (la Ribera) then the second week was in Gracia (thx Maribel). Details to follow.
We rented two different apartments in Barcelona. The first week was in Born (la Ribera) then the second week was in Gracia (thx Maribel). Details to follow.
0 2024/12/14 13:15:40
We had a good time in Barcelona. Everywhere we met with friendly residents and good vibes.
We had a good time in Barcelona. Everywhere we met with friendly residents and good vibes.
0 2024/12/14 13:21:39
But Barcelona has plenty of other attractions. Seen here, the colorful glass dome of the city's Palau de Musica. Thanks for the tip to visit this gruezi! We skipped the famed Sagrada Familia, BUT are happy to pass along the following logistical tip for those interested in seeing it from nearby. Both the Colon plus the Sercotel Rossello hotel roof terrace cafes offer excellent views. Reserve ahead.
But Barcelona has plenty of other attractions. Seen here, the colorful glass dome of the city's Palau de Musica. Thanks for the tip to visit this gruezi! We skipped the famed Sagrada Familia, BUT are happy to pass along the following logistical tip for those interested in seeing it from nearby. Both the Colon plus the Sercotel Rossello hotel roof terrace cafes offer excellent views. Reserve ahead.
0 2024/12/14 13:24:43
Prior to the event, the crowds continued to swell. I was expecting this. The local woman squashed beside me was friendly Lourdes, who'd lived all over the globe with her husband and children. She became my guide to what was unfolding. We were pinned against the steel barrier fence erected by the medical emergency team close to the wall.
Prior to the event, the crowds continued to swell. I was expecting this. The local woman squashed beside me was friendly Lourdes, who'd lived all over the globe with her husband and children. She became my guide to what was unfolding. We were pinned against the steel barrier fence erected by the medical emergency team close to the wall.
0 2024/12/15 17:49:30
Here we go! Captains encouraged their teams with this ritual of grasping hands in a huddle.
Here we go! Captains encouraged their teams with this ritual of grasping hands in a huddle.
0 2024/12/15 17:51:02
Mrs Z wasn't interested so I attended this event on my own. That was a blessing. She simply could not have handled the crowds (more about those later). Pretty sure that the man above was the mayor of the nearby town of Zaragoza. The outsized gegants number in the hundreds across the country and Barcelona welcomes neighboring towns to send some of their own to be part of the big parades.
Mrs Z wasn't interested so I attended this event on my own. That was a blessing. She simply could not have handled the crowds (more about those later). Pretty sure that the man above was the mayor of the nearby town of Zaragoza. The outsized gegants number in the hundreds across the country and Barcelona welcomes neighboring towns to send some of their own to be part of the big parades.
0 2024/12/15 13:35:36
The angry 18C painter Francisco Goya next to a character called Giganticus or somesuch. This pair were also from Zaragoza and like all other gegants would do a twirling dance to historical music during the various downtown parades. If the parade took them along medieval alleys here, it would be called a 'toc a plagar'. Btw, Goya's wife trailed behind.
The angry 18C painter Francisco Goya next to a character called Giganticus or somesuch. This pair were also from Zaragoza and like all other gegants would do a twirling dance to historical music during the various downtown parades. If the parade took them along medieval alleys here, it would be called a 'toc a plagar'. Btw, Goya's wife trailed behind.
0 2024/12/15 13:41:26
The Rioja town of Calahorra sent this historical trio: a noblewoman, a bearded Moorish Sultan and a Roman woman.
The Rioja town of Calahorra sent this historical trio: a noblewoman, a bearded Moorish Sultan and a Roman woman.
0 2024/12/15 14:03:51
I rest my case.
I rest my case.
0 2024/12/15 14:07:35
Spain's Jewish heritage was represented. First the husband...
Spain's Jewish heritage was represented. First the husband...
0 2024/12/15 14:08:13
There were many other traditional figures, African kings, Asian lords, humble fishermen, knights to name but a few. Children especially appreciated the smaller and more nimble 'capgrossos' or 'macers' (fat-heads). Those were cartoonish and comical alternatives to the much larger gegant collection.
There were many other traditional figures, African kings, Asian lords, humble fishermen, knights to name but a few. Children especially appreciated the smaller and more nimble 'capgrossos' or 'macers' (fat-heads). Those were cartoonish and comical alternatives to the much larger gegant collection.
0 2024/12/15 14:09:45
0 2024/12/15 17:45:10
0 2024/12/15 17:45:50
0 2024/12/15 17:46:20
There was some unseasonal rain. Luckily, it occurred early on, while I was bedridden with fever and my wife was hack-coughing as never before. Seen above, trendy Passeig de Gracia which is the spine for La Ruta Modernisme in the Eixample (ay-SHAM-pluh).
There was some unseasonal rain. Luckily, it occurred early on, while I was bedridden with fever and my wife was hack-coughing as never before. Seen above, trendy Passeig de Gracia which is the spine for La Ruta Modernisme in the Eixample (ay-SHAM-pluh).
0 2024/12/14 13:23:20
Some locals protested The Americas Cup.
Some locals protested The Americas Cup.
0 2024/12/14 13:20:30
0 2024/12/15 17:46:36
0 2024/12/15 17:47:33
Two hours before the event. The crowd still felt manageable.
Two hours before the event. The crowd still felt manageable.
0 2024/12/15 17:49:17
Even the musicians
Even the musicians
0 2024/12/15 17:50:49
The burliest 'pines' formed the base.
The burliest 'pines' formed the base.
0 2024/12/15 17:51:17
I threw in this image coz it chronologically features a nearly-complete tower. This was actually part of the opening act on a side stage, a series of visiting 'falcones'. These were youth groups guests from out of town whose 'wing' formations were wider and less tall than the casteler versions. Both kinds of human towers sought to place a child atop their team.
I threw in this image coz it chronologically features a nearly-complete tower. This was actually part of the opening act on a side stage, a series of visiting 'falcones'. These were youth groups guests from out of town whose 'wing' formations were wider and less tall than the casteler versions. Both kinds of human towers sought to place a child atop their team.
0 2024/12/15 17:52:12
The 'enxaneta' or top child waves success to the admiring crowd.
The 'enxaneta' or top child waves success to the admiring crowd.
0 2024/12/15 17:52:41
Casa Gispert was right next door to our Born rental, Alacam apartment on calle Sombrero.
Casa Gispert was right next door to our Born rental, Alacam apartment on calle Sombrero.
0 2024/12/17 11:26:39
More mural art, this time from the Born placa in front of the 14C Basilica Santa Maria del Mar. The latter's placa is a must visit, the square's lively atmosphere a perfect microcosm of all the best the tiny Born district has to offer. Trendy Born retains some medieval flavor but remains less hectic and crowded with tourists as the Barri Gotic.
More mural art, this time from the Born placa in front of the 14C Basilica Santa Maria del Mar. The latter's placa is a must visit, the square's lively atmosphere a perfect microcosm of all the best the tiny Born district has to offer. Trendy Born retains some medieval flavor but remains less hectic and crowded with tourists as the Barri Gotic.
0 2024/12/14 13:45:47
Spain has a long history of producing good wine.
Spain has a long history of producing good wine.
0 2024/12/14 14:05:46
Barcelona is an art-led city. Above was the ingenious 5' tall male arm art installation located at the entry to one of the city's historic churches.. Realistic right down to the hairs!
Barcelona is an art-led city. Above was the ingenious 5' tall male arm art installation located at the entry to one of the city's historic churches.. Realistic right down to the hairs!
0 2024/12/14 13:38:11
Another parading beastie who agreed to allow a quick foto. All diables and diablesses regardless of age, were members of barrio associations just like their drumming counterparts.
Another parading beastie who agreed to allow a quick foto. All diables and diablesses regardless of age, were members of barrio associations just like their drumming counterparts.
0 2024/12/14 19:46:44
Everyone had fun. A true community highlight each autumn.
Everyone had fun. A true community highlight each autumn.
0 2024/12/14 19:55:50
Some street art. Atop, we see a depiction of local popstar Rosalia in the placa Jaume Sabartes. A break-and-enter had just happened a block away as we snapped this shot, leaving smashed glass from an unfortunate small business' front window littering the alley.
Some street art. Atop, we see a depiction of local popstar Rosalia in the placa Jaume Sabartes. A break-and-enter had just happened a block away as we snapped this shot, leaving smashed glass from an unfortunate small business' front window littering the alley.
0 2024/12/14 13:41:08
An intense moment mere seconds before the parade commenced and moved onto Rambla de Catalunya (not to be confused with the more famous touristy Ramblas). *After the LOUD parade got going, I noticed a lone middle-aged man seated on a nearby bench while reading a novel. LOL! Kind of like yarning socks during a rocket launch.
An intense moment mere seconds before the parade commenced and moved onto Rambla de Catalunya (not to be confused with the more famous touristy Ramblas). *After the LOUD parade got going, I noticed a lone middle-aged man seated on a nearby bench while reading a novel. LOL! Kind of like yarning socks during a rocket launch.
0 2024/12/14 19:56:03
Just five shots here. There was a palpable sense of mounting excitement in the massive crowd during the hour gap between the end of the kids Correfoc and the start of the Adult version. We chatted on a wet bench with a young German engineer whose dad was from Barcelona. The second that the above fireworks signaled 'the start' and illuminated Gaudi's most famous apartment, the above wavy 'La Pedrera', an ocean of giddy people swept us away from that bench.
Just five shots here. There was a palpable sense of mounting excitement in the massive crowd during the hour gap between the end of the kids Correfoc and the start of the Adult version. We chatted on a wet bench with a young German engineer whose dad was from Barcelona. The second that the above fireworks signaled 'the start' and illuminated Gaudi's most famous apartment, the above wavy 'La Pedrera', an ocean of giddy people swept us away from that bench.
0 2024/12/14 21:23:43
Casa Vicens was all about Gaudi's initial attempt at what became the 'Modernista' movement. In his imagination, that meant flamboyant mosaics and custom fountains. The various doors, windows, mirrors, art and plants were all special in their appearance. This was no place for 'plain.' Here, the ornate tower. There were good rooftop views.
Casa Vicens was all about Gaudi's initial attempt at what became the 'Modernista' movement. In his imagination, that meant flamboyant mosaics and custom fountains. The various doors, windows, mirrors, art and plants were all special in their appearance. This was no place for 'plain.' Here, the ornate tower. There were good rooftop views.
0 2024/12/14 22:51:41
Casa Vicens is a World Heritage Site. Here are the mugs that we bought from the Gift Shop. The motif second-from-right was all over the building.
Casa Vicens is a World Heritage Site. Here are the mugs that we bought from the Gift Shop. The motif second-from-right was all over the building.
0 2024/12/14 22:52:19
This 'drac animacio' figure was called 'Loki'. He and his little brother 'Aro' were created in 2022 by Elais Alvarez to represent the El Coll neighborhood up in Gracia. Loki is shown here on display days before the fest at Born's Cultural Center, a former market with ancient foundation ruins on display.
This 'drac animacio' figure was called 'Loki'. He and his little brother 'Aro' were created in 2022 by Elais Alvarez to represent the El Coll neighborhood up in Gracia. Loki is shown here on display days before the fest at Born's Cultural Center, a former market with ancient foundation ruins on display.
0 2024/12/14 20:00:47
Revelers, both local and foreign.
Revelers, both local and foreign.
0 2024/12/14 21:34:28
The eccentric building is known colorfully-tiled Moorish tiles.
The eccentric building is known colorfully-tiled Moorish tiles.
0 2024/12/14 22:52:35
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