Spain Time

Right, so I've fallen quite a bit behind. So I am going to try and break this up in to several smaller posts, as quite a lot has happened. Where should I begin. Well we started a new unit at Central, but as that is ongoing I am going to leave that one for last. Also I really need to collect my thoughts about that one. So I'll start with Spain!

To put it simply Spain was pretty incredible. It was rather a whirlwind trip, and I wish I could have stayed longer, but I had a blast. My best friend (or HLM) Rebecca is currently living in Barcelona. She is there for the fall working on some cool top secret project involving 3D printers. So I figured what better excuse to get some jet-setting in to my schedule. Mainly though it was a chance to get to spend some quality time with her. After living together for 2 years after college I've been going though severe Rebecca withdrawal since she moved to Pittsburgh last fall. Amazing that we should reconnect on the other side of the ocean!!

One of the first things we did when I arrived last Friday was to visit the Sagrada Familia, Gaudi's famous unfinished Basilica. This is perhaps Barcelona's most easily spotted landmark as it towers above all of the surrounding architecture. It is also absolutely incredible. I mean holy cow, this building is amazing. And it isn't even close to being finished. At the moment the target finish date is 2030. There were models inside chronicling the progress of the building. It is impressive both what they have completed and what is still left to do. I think it is going to end up being nearly half again as tall as it is now, if not more. It will be truly massive.

Even aside from the scale of the building the Sagrada Familia is awe inspiring. The carvings above both the front and back entrances are absolutely gorgeous. And the stained glass windows are incredible. The inside of the basilica is stunning. I don't know whether this is part of the design, or just a side effect of the current construction but there is only stained glass in one half of the basilica, the side with the altar. So as you walk from the back of the room towards the altar the light goes from this austere white light, to this stunning pattern of color. It is an amazing effect. I could go on about this building for ages, it was incredible. Basically Rebecca and I walked in after admiring the facade for a while and our brains turned into puddles of goo due to the awesomeness of this building.

During the rest of my trip we saw quite a bit more of Gaudi's architecture. It is all pretty incredible. We visited Park Guell, although we got lost on the way and arrived after it had gotten dark. This had the unexpected bonus of turning the trip into a sort of spelunking trip. Ok not really, but we felt like we were in really interesting caves, while we explored the archways in the dark. It was fun! We also stumbled across several other buildings designed by Gaudi while we were walking around Barcelona. Including one that looks like a dragon. Basically I think I need to live there!

Lets see other highlights of the trip... Well I discovered what Iberian Ham is, and its pretty gross. Basically wherever you go, including sketchy shops in the middle of the metro, they sell whole pig legs. Not terribly pleasant to pass all the time! We went to a flea market where you could buy everything including the kitchen sink. I learned what a 3D printer is, and its awesome. I learned how to play Settlers of Catan in Spanish. Ok the game was in Spanish, I just learned what each of the little pictures meant. And most importantly I got to catch up with Rebecca. Yay! I am still lobbying to get her up here before she heads back to the states. That way the two of us can go to the Doctor Who Experience together!

Stay tuned for another exciting installment tomorrow. Coming up we have West End musicals, a Flash Mob in St Pancras station, American Thanksgiving abroad and the Devised Unit!