Barcelona - Part II

The Docks
Sunday morning was invitingly sunny and warm, so Michael & I decided to make our way to the beach. En-route, we passed through the marina at the port of Barcelona. We walked along the docks to catch a few glimpses of the hundreds of boats, whose naked masts stood idle just waiting to set sail into the Mediterranean.

Port of Barcelona

The Beach Debate
We arrived at the beach to stake out a peaceful spot among the golden sands. It was an ideal place to worship the sun, take in the waves, and watch people walk by. Here the fisherman anchored their poles deep into the sand, and the seniors fiercely played countless games of bocce.

Bocce Anyone?

As we walked along the beach, we noticed a pot-bellied old man with slicked back hair strutting his stuff like he owned the place. I can only describe it as disturbing. You know, like, make-you-feel-icky disturbing. “That’s just wrong,” I blurted out without a second thought. My remark somehow sparked an odd debate about the pros & cons of wearing a Speedo. From a European standpoint, Speedos are quite normal – a way of life – I suppose. So, perhaps I was just being an uncultured ethnocentric American. I mean, who am I to judge? I’ve never worn a Speedo in my life (with the exception of the tighty-whitey Superfriends underwear I wore as a kid). After all, there are benefits to proudly wearing that little piece of lycra. For instance, having clean tan lines, or being able to swim fast like Aquaman, or especially avoiding those annoying air bubbles in my trunks. And who knows, perhaps I might even look good in one? Yikes!

Port Olympic
After devoting way too much time to the subject, we made our way towards the Port Olympic and the giant copper fish that oddly poked out of the skyline. Along the boardwalk, a multitude of cafés and beachside bars beckoned us. So we took our chances at a place called Barnabiers. We sat down to the soothing sounds of a pan flute played by an ethnic South American guy with a rainbow colored llama-haired vest. At first, it was kind of nice as he played melodic tunes like the Song from Titanic, Chariots of Fire, Everything I do - I do for You, and Simon & Garfunkel’s Sounds of Silence. But then, we came to realize that the extent of his repertoire ended there, and the songs re-commenced in a nauseatingly endless loop. For a moment, I wished I were on the Titanic sinking to the abyss so I could be spared of the torture. To make matters worse, the service was at a snail’s pace (an authentically Spanish nuance). But after the third go around of the Sound of Silence, and me begging that it really were silent, we finally got the check.

Port Olympic

Nearby, we chanced upon the Parc en la Ciudad (Park in the City), where we found Barcelonians searching for some peace away from the busy city life. The center of the park was home to an incredibly elaborate fountain with dragons guarding its waters. Mike quickly pointed out that, "It is the architecture of kings, and not of the common people." So, like kings we marched through the trails, and paraded triumphantly through Barcelona’s Arc de Triumf.

Parc en la Ciudad

Another dose of Gaudi - Casa Batllo
Despite the miles of walking up to this point, I still craved to see more Gaudi. Like an addict needing another fix, I ventured alone to the Casa Batllo, to get an intimate view of one of Gaudi’s masterpieces. The Casa Batllo, also known as the "bone house," has a design that is both functional & aesthetic. The outer façade is adorned with purple scale-like tiles, and features these boney columns & balconies that resemble skulls. Inside, the rooms have peculiar mushroom shaped door frames, pastel stained-glass windows, and intricate chandeliers.

Casa Batllo

In the center of the building, an airy atrium made of blue tiles of every shade imaginable opens up to a skylight several stories high. I climbed the steps to a labyrinth of upper chambers where white arching rooms echoed with the whispers of curious visitors. Then through a narrow stairwell I arrived at the rooftop patio, where the roof-tiles seemed to resemble the back of a dragon with orange & green scales. Alongside it, proudly stood a pearlescent five-pronged cross crowning the building for everyone to admire.

Dragons & Crosses

I was absolutely captivated as I stood there silently gazing out over the rooftops as the dusk winds blew through my jacket. I stared into the distant mountains one last time as the faint outline of a domed cathedral faded imminently into the evening. And it was from here, I said goodbye to Barcelona once more.

-Marvin A.