Ay Barcelona......

It's too long I haven't been to Barcelona and the very few days we stayed there were just not enough....It was hot and literally infested with tourists - well just like us - who obviously gathered in the same places seen in Vicky Christy Barcelona.
Plaza Real was still the same delightful square where no doubt I would love to rent a flat in spring, in spite of the noise. We had a drink at 2 am there, in one of the cafés surrounding the square. What time do they close then? Never mind, I was quite envious of that young man, smoking on his balcony, slowly taking in the pulse of the square.

To avoid being distracted by the crowd on Las Ramblas, I often walked with my eyes looking up. I loved how this exhibition about Indian contemporary photography was presented

But walking on Las Ramblas during the day was fun too because of the various performers. I must confess, at times, I just stood there fascinated, so much creativity and patience, too....
In the morning, around 11am, we headed to el mercat de la Boqueria off the Ramblas for a quick fruit snack and some embutido

then find a bench to sit in the peaceful garden of the Catalan library. I was so surprised to find this place nearly void of tourists.
Next to it is the Center of Catalan studies
Catalan sounds a bit like French but still, at times I find it hard to understand

A Spanish friend of mine who is studying fine arts in Barcelona told me, he had to take classes of Catalan as every course is taught in Catalan. In that case, a good dictionary is really needed. I was quite impressed by this old edition of a Catalan-Spanish-Latin dictionary, in the Catalan library.
I'll come back next friday with more pics of the beautiful Barcelona.....

Psst....In the mean time, you can hop to my other blog Un mariage au soleil which I've just updated with ideas for gifts and favours...

and...thank you so much for your comments on recurrent dreams. Yes, I guess, this is it, I'm working on various projects at the moment and find it hard to control....Mmm...me thinks I need to go back to Barcelona for a real holiday !

Comments

The market in Barcelona is one of my favorites...I love the egg stand!
vicki archer said…
Barcelona is a fabulous city - I want to go back and spend some time there after reading your post and looking at these photographs Lala, xv.
Unknown said…
Fascinating and colourful! Yes, it takes a lot of patience to execute ideas and let the creative juice flow :)
Am thinking of visiting Barcelona in Dec with the family. Keep fingers crossed!
Unknown said…
I do love Barcelona. Wish I could've met up with you there! All the Gaudi!!!!! Great food, art, music...

Best,

David

http://www.globalaroundtown.blogspot.com
Anonymous said…
Wow, these pics are really fantastic.
Caroline said…
I so enjoyed this trip to Barcelona with you - it's one of my very favourite cities! Your photos are superb and I like the way you took some shots looking up too! Oh, and I hope you don't have any more of those disturbing dreams.
Unknown said…
You have a good eye and an interesting approach, using only a few words. Looking forward to Friday.
Celeste Maia said…
Woody Allen should have had you as the person who chooses location, when planning Vicky Cristina Barcelona...you made the city glow, and I just want to jump on a plane and go there. Thanks for a fantastic tour! (the Catalan tourism office should be paying you...)
That is one of the Spanish cities I have to go visit one day and now there's no excuse as one of my wife's friends lives about an hour away from there.

Fantastic photos. Many thanks.

Greetings from London.
Italo said…
Ciao Lala, I'm happy that you enjoyed the catalan sun. Nice photos, and nice Barcelona! Ciao bella.
Swetha said…
Those fruit snacks are Yummy!! Again your place is great!! :)
Anonymous said…
as expected... gorgeous images of a great city and it's people.
wave from Oia ;-)
DolceDreams said…
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful city!
Nathalie
Anairam said…
Barcelona is one of the European cities that I would love to visit - thanks for this exquisite taste. The exhibition of Indian photographs is fantastic - what genius the curator had to display them on the outside in the windows!
Tessa said…
Barcelona is one of my most favourite cities in the entire world (after Cape Town, of course!) My very first visit was on our honeymoon many years ago. I remember the romance of walking down the Ramblas hand-in-hand....hmmmm. You have taken some spectacular photographs of this most vibrant and lovely of cities. Thank you so much for sharing them with us here.

Its been lovely to meander slowly through your recent posts now that I have turned the page on July and with August so much less frentic, have more time to sit back, relax and enjoy my favourite blogs!
Relyn Lawson said…
I do SO love touring with you. LOVE IT!!
aiesecbandung said…
try Bandung, Indonesia..

greetings from AIESEC :)
Mélanie said…
Je suis allée a Barcelone et je n'ai pas gardé un grand souvenir. c'était pour le nouvel an ... Mais après toutes tes belles photos, je vais être obligée d'y retourner
Unknown said…
Amazing pictures of architectural Barcelona apartments & buildings, Food, Market, Monuments. You have framed everything so nicely.

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