LAST DAY- say what?!

To make the best of our last day, Rachel and I got up early specifically to watch the sunrise on the beach! The geographical location of Barcelona has it so you see the sunrise on the Mediterranean, not the sunset. But it was just as gorgeous as any sunset.

We barely got there just in time. We literally had to run there!

A little bit of the city scape. It was so magical, probably the least crowed time of day for the beach, though there were a few out for an early swim.

This turned out blurry on accident, but actually turned out quite nice.

After the beach we went shopping. I took a pic of this store's sign beacuse I really liked the style - simply made from cardboard.

For desert, we went to the Hard Rock Cafe - for my first time!  This car was hanging over the bar. Very neat.

Waiting for our treats, enjoying the atmosphere...

When we got back from shopping, we headed back out to the beach for a final time for one last final hangout as a group - well, at least part of us. Some people had already left at this point for Italy.

 

Me and Phil

Stacie, Rachel, and me

Changmok - what a character!

Day 33

This was from our first day in Spain, but I really liked the way they broke up the sidewalk with this circular design.

This ceiling was really neat, too, done by a young girl designer.

Today was so magnificent! We went to the beach, where I felt like I was in paradise. We spent five hours swimming in the water and soaking in the sun. I can now say I've swam in the Mediterranean - never thought I'd say that!

View of part of the city from the shore

A nice view of the W Hotel (wouldn't it be something to stay there!)

This is the diner where we went for dinner - I think this was my first legitimate diner I've ever ate at. So fun!

And of course the checker board pattern!

Barcelona: Tour Day II

Today we toured all of Barcelona from 8am to 6pm. It was a long day, but full of beautiful surprises! I definitely would take the tour again, mostly because William was amazing at what he did - so full of knowledge!  
First we visited Gaudi's cathedral, Sagrada Familia ("sacred family"). To be completely honest, when we first studied this cathedral in history, I did not like it. It just goes to show how learning about something makes your appreciation grow for it, as I know love the Sagrada Familia! So don't be too quick to judge a building by its facade...

Gaudi (pronounced Gow-dee) had only about  15-25% of the building complete when he died in 1926, but he planned it to take more time than he'd be alive for. He once said, "My client is not in a hurry." So now, other architects continue the work. According to William, it may not be complete until 2050. Very different style, yes.

Very pretty stained glass inside- didn't expect that!

One thing I liked about Gaudi's work, particularly in this commission, is how he doesn't express himself in his work - which is appropriate considering that this is a cathedral and everything he does connects or somehow symbolizes God. What we see in the picture above are the columns and vaulted ceilings. He solely uses nature and mathematical ideas in his architecture. He was actually the first architect to implement parabolas in building design - which is the shape of the vaults we see here. The design of the ceiling and columns also incorporates tree figures with the depiction of sun-rays shining through the leaves.

Just to show how intricate his architecture was, this is a model that shows how he first drew the cathedral to more understand how it would work. It is made from little tiny sandbags, each weighed individually then attached by strings. He then drew the model on paper by taking a picture of this model then flipping the image.

Barcelona can be characterized by the use of cracked ceramics and glass in various types of work and art. This curved and continuous bench, also done by Gaudi, uses this style:

The benches from afar. I thought it was neat how they curved, especially if you're in a big group because then  you can have your own "cove."

William and I on the bench.

 And here are just some other random, cool buildings we visited on our tour:

Really liked this one!

You can't see the color too well in this picture, but it was a pretty green with the aluminum color.

I liked the digital-speckley-ness of this facade.

Interesting material/design for a builidng.

Hola Summertime in Barcelona!

Wow- I can't believe it actually feels like SUMMER. It is so warm and beautiful here in Barcelona! After our flight, we spent the afternoon and evening touring around the exciting city with William, our tour guide. I was actually really surprised at all of the neat architecture that exists in Barcelona; I didn't expect there to be so much or for it to be so awesome. I've also really enjoyed the fun atmosphere; there's such a neat culture here.

Telecommunication Tower by Santiago Calatrava- one of the architects  we've studied. Just goes to show how diverse the field is! You don't have to always stick with buildings.

Our first view of the Mediterranean!!! Sooo pretty and blue.

 

This was a really neat idea for a fountain, I thought, that we saw while touring some of the shops around the city.

I thought this was a creative and useful idea of scenery. This reflection the building gives actually gives you a view of the ocean, if you can see at the very top of the slanted wall. (sorry- not the best angle I shot) 

Building by Richard Meir - an architect that loves white!

Meat any one?? This is in the local market we walked through.

How about octopus?

Okay, what about rabbit? Grossed me out a bit.

I thought this was a really cool idea on incorporating a logo into somewhere you wouldn't normally think to put it - in this case a cashier and supply area, I believe, to an outside dining area.

And now for where we slept - it was so wonderful!

Very nice bathrooms as well! Though it was a little dark - it could have used some more lighting, esp. in the actual shower. It felt like I was in a cave. But very nice and cool!

A visit to the Dead - Day 30

This morning we went to Père Lachaise Cemetery where many famous people have been laid to rest, one of the most well know being Jim Morrison. The famous muscian, Chopin, is also buried there, as well as writer and play write Oscar Wilde. 

The entrance to the cemetary

Jim's grave. I thought a peace sign was appropriate.

I thought this tombstone was really interesting - you don't really see color like this on any.

Next stop: the Luxembourg Gardens. This was a pretty big hang-out place for family and friends it seemed like. We stopped here and sketched for a bit. Very pretty!

Palm trees!

I ended the evening at the Eiffel Tower with a few friends to give a final goodbye. We enjoyed some pastries as well as sketching:

Kind of neat with the sun shining through the structure

Me, Rachel, Benae and Jessica

The best tasting was the raspberry tart- at the top. So good!

Day at Versailles

The grand Chateau de Versailles (pronounced Ver-sigh), with its gardens and forests, covers acres and acres of land. It was overwhelming to say the least. Do you remember the magical Vaux le Vicomte Chateau I visited  a few days ago where the architect was thrown into prison by King Louis XIV? Well, this place - Versailles - is what Louis XIV built in consequence of his jealously. And it is HUGE. 
At first I couldn't get over the greed-aspect of it all. It was just a ginormous dump of money to me (and to think how much it costs to keep it up!). But as our tour went on, I came closer and closer to appreciate and enjoy the space. 

The front of the Chateau through the front gates. As you can see on the right, it is almost constantly under renovation. We were just lucky it wasn't covering the whole front!

This is the view of the back, with one of the many the ponds.

This is standing almost at the exact spot as above, just facing the other way. Some backyard, huh? The Chateau was often used as a hunting lodge as well, so that is one reason why it is so vast.

There were obviously many plants as well. I thought this one was really interesting. It reminded me of a  feathery boa- so soft!

My favorite part of the estate was definitely this area - it is a little village tucked into the landscape, actually put in place under the command of Marie Antoinette (Louis XVI's wife). It was filled with many lovely cottages just like this one here. Oh- and I loved the bed of purple lavender!