GAUDI'S PARC GUELL

Saturday, March 13, 2010

I woke up about 8 am and worked on my computer; about 9 am I left the Hostel and walked to the McCafe to pick up a late breakfast for everyone…they were still sleeping when I left! By 10 am I had the group awake and eating. Opps….Miss Barbara is taking the day off just as I thought might happen.

But, trooper Jim was ready to roll and by noon we were on bus #24 headed towards the top of Parc Guell. This 30 acre plot on top of a hill was original planned as a high end residential complex by Gaudi; the development flopped but the end result was a beautiful park for the people of Barcelona. Wooded areas, open areas, unbelievable caves, paths and gingerbread buildings; let your imagination run wild and you won’t even come close to the designs in this park.

We spent a couple of hours walking from the top to the bottom of the park. I’ve put a lot of photos on the slide show for you. The greatest thing was the weather: the sun was shining! Actually took my coat off several times. The sky was murky so we could not see beyond the port but what a perfect day for viewing the park.

Arrived back at the hotel about 3 pm, rested the tootsies a bit from all the walking while we showed Barbara all the photos we took. Once she saw how far down the hill we walked; she was very glad that she stayed in the Hostel and rested.

Jim found coupons for MacDonalds in the materials they had given us on the Hop On/Off Bus yesterday; a free sundae with a Big Mac Dinner….off we went about 5 pm for an early dinner. Afterwards we walked down the street to take another look at the Casa Mila by Gaudi and then back to the Archeological Museum that has a wonderful permanent display on Egyptian artifacts. Jim stayed to tour and I headed back to the Hostel with Barbara for some computer time. I must admit this Hostel is very well located for multiple viewing of many of the buildings designed by Gaudi along the Passeig de Gracia; known as the Block of Discord.

In for an early evening; we got a late start for the day but ended with lots of new things to share with my Armchair Travelers. We have one more day in Barcelona then it’s off to Italy! Weather wise you can leave your mittens at home tomorrow…we have another beautiful day per the Internet.