A note about Catalonian romanticism, food paradise, and modern art and architecture in Spain. On visiting Barcelona and leaving with a full stomach and a mind whirling with Miró imagery.
The Sagrada Familia does strange things to the mind. If you ever go back, I recommend taking a side 1 hour train trip to Figueres to visit the Dali museum, for even more surreal mind fuckery, which houses the Dali Museum--and it's a museum actually built by the man himself, while he was still alive. Absolutely the craziest place I've ever been, I loved it. I'll take Barcelona over Paris any day of the week, the pompousness of the Catalans aside. They have a very different spirit than the "real Spanish" of Andalucia, which despite being well known in tourism, is less flashy and rich on the surface, so has not reached the same level of acclaim to international travelers. Best guitarists in the world down there. Viva flamenco!
YES! I live two hours driving distance from the Dali Museum and any time I've driven by the road signs, I mentally shame myself for not making the time to visit! The reminder that it is only two hours away is even making me crazy as I'm typing this.
I went to his home in Port Lligat a couple of years ago (the same month as the La Sagrada visit) and absolutely ADORED it. It's like his brain (and Gala's) exploded out into the walls and terraces. So I can only imagine the Figueres site. Thanks again for the reminder!
oh my - this piece brought me right back to my first visit to Barcelona in 2005. Thanks so much for the Miro Foundation snaps, it was honestly one of the most impactful museums I'd ever visited as a young person! Barcelona is such a special place... I'd love to go back with twenty more years under my belt ;)
(and I can't imagine the horror of figuring out my camera was missing on a trip like that! whew!!! glad the trip turned around :))
The camera incident was like a stoke of misfortune in which I had just gone into public completely naked, without realizing it, and was slowly trying to piece together how I managed to do so. But obviously less humiliating than that...
I love, love, love reading about your appreciation for the Miró museum and hope you get to visit again in the near future!
The Sagrada Familia does strange things to the mind. If you ever go back, I recommend taking a side 1 hour train trip to Figueres to visit the Dali museum, for even more surreal mind fuckery, which houses the Dali Museum--and it's a museum actually built by the man himself, while he was still alive. Absolutely the craziest place I've ever been, I loved it. I'll take Barcelona over Paris any day of the week, the pompousness of the Catalans aside. They have a very different spirit than the "real Spanish" of Andalucia, which despite being well known in tourism, is less flashy and rich on the surface, so has not reached the same level of acclaim to international travelers. Best guitarists in the world down there. Viva flamenco!
YES! I live two hours driving distance from the Dali Museum and any time I've driven by the road signs, I mentally shame myself for not making the time to visit! The reminder that it is only two hours away is even making me crazy as I'm typing this.
I went to his home in Port Lligat a couple of years ago (the same month as the La Sagrada visit) and absolutely ADORED it. It's like his brain (and Gala's) exploded out into the walls and terraces. So I can only imagine the Figueres site. Thanks again for the reminder!
Also, I loved reading your pull to Catalonia!
That’s awesome. Nice to meet you and discover your substack, fellow expat.
Sorry, what does this mean, “your pull to..”
I don’t think I’ve seen that phrase before. I might not be young enough. 🤨
oh my - this piece brought me right back to my first visit to Barcelona in 2005. Thanks so much for the Miro Foundation snaps, it was honestly one of the most impactful museums I'd ever visited as a young person! Barcelona is such a special place... I'd love to go back with twenty more years under my belt ;)
(and I can't imagine the horror of figuring out my camera was missing on a trip like that! whew!!! glad the trip turned around :))
The camera incident was like a stoke of misfortune in which I had just gone into public completely naked, without realizing it, and was slowly trying to piece together how I managed to do so. But obviously less humiliating than that...
I love, love, love reading about your appreciation for the Miró museum and hope you get to visit again in the near future!
Hola , Barcelona Es Una Ciudad Mágica , En Todos Los Sentidos. Me Alegra Que Hayas Disfrutado Del Viaje. Un Saludo.
Hola! Yes, very magical! I'm lucky to have seen this side of it!