Barcelona
Took a bus trip around the south section yesterday pm, which was another great way to learn about the city.
The port accommodates even very large cruise ships, and we watched one leaving as it turned 360 degrees with barely metres to spare at either end as it virtually turned on the spot.
The 1992 Olympic Games made a huge impact on the city. The Olympic village was constructed near the waterfront which had previously been a very poor area with no properties taking advantage of the potential beauty of the port. After the Olympics, this area was transformed into an expensive up-market area for those who are affluent enough to afford it.
There are 13 km of excellent beaches to which the Barcelonians can go, some suitable for wheelchair access so the disabled to swim.
On a nearby hill (which is quite high) is the location of the games venues and stadium built for the Olympics. The pool overlooks a spectacular view right over Barcelona - a beautiful and breathtaking sight.
This is a city which has a great vitality and buzz, with green trees lining many of the streets and a bar or restaurant every 50m or so. There are many famous buildings designed by Gaudi, the famous architect who mastered the¨triumph of the curve¨. His most famous construction (which was his personal lifetime obsession) was the Sagrada Familia cathedral which was commenced in the late 19th century and is still under construction. It is being completed using donations from churchgoers, devotees, and ticket revenue from visitors to the cathedral.
Many artists and famous artisans spent time in Barcelona, including Picasso in his youth.
Chupa Chups were invented here, and are now made all over the world. If you cannot identify a Chupa Chup, ask any child!
Coffee is very good, tea barely passable so far.
Tourist (local?) dress is varied. There are the colour-co-ordinated expensively clad ¨glammed-up¨ females looking for recognition, contrasted by the scruffy neutral look of the backbacker types. Many of the latter have rings and spikes protruding from their faces, and some cannot be identified as either male or female.
This is a city to walk, wearing comfortable footwear. No-one seems to wear socks, and thongs are common.
Surprisingly there are many McDonalds, Kentucky Fried, and Starbucks coffee shops.
With so many museums and cathedrals to visit, the choice is difficult. We chose the History of Catalunya Museum (this is the Catalunya area, which considers itself to be more or less autonomous and has fought hard for centuries to retain their own separate language and traditions).
The museum was excellent, and difficult to leave. The deciding factor for departure was a kitchen from the 1950´s and 1960´s, which was decidedly much too close to country Victorian homes in our youth. If our youth is now represented in a museum, it was definitely time to leave!
During the Black Plague, the population of Catalunya halved - from 500,000 to 250,000 in 180 years.
More soon.