Christina’s Journey Journal

Tag: Spain

  • Other Gaudí Masterpieces

    Other Gaudí Masterpieces

    This post is dedicated to two another amazing works by Gaudí, which are also UNESCO World Heritage sites.

    Park Guell – built between 1900-1914 as a private community of luxurious homes. It failed and was opened as a public park in 1926.
    Stepping into a fairy tale—The Gingerbread Houses at the entrance to the park. One served as a guard house and the other, an administrative office.

    Intended for use as a marketplace, Hypostyle Hall (Hall of a Hundred Columns) features 86 Greek-inspired columns.

    Meet El Drac, the park’s famous lizard. He’s located on La Escalinata monument (grand staircase) and made from broken shards of mosaic tiles, a trademark technique that Gaudí pioneered.
    Next we visited Casa Battlo, also known as House of Bones.
    Gaudí was responsible for the remodel 1904-1906 of a previously built house. It is located on Passeig De Gracia, a very prestigious area of Barcelona during the 20th century.
    The use of color tiles, mosaic, and wave dominate the home!
    The main living area

    The roof is arched and looks like the back of a dragon.🐉
    Standing in the petal on the balcony.

  • It’s time…

    It’s time…

    It’s been 37 years since I have set foot in extraordinary España 🇪🇸. I have had plenty of opportunities but nothing “felt right”. Deep down I know why—it’s because any trip there will never be the same as it was my sophomore year when I attended the Universitat de Valencia for two semesters. That school year shaped the person I am today. It made me crave cultures—that there were fascinating things to learn about, interesting people to know, and adventures to experience. That year served as the cornerstone of everything I love about travel.

    I was stupid…I should have gone by now, more than once. I was “saving” the next time to walk the Camino De Santiago. But now I have the opportunity to return and I couldn’t be more excited!

    We land in Barcelona in 8 hours, 45 minutes. Then we drive 3 1/2 hours to Valencia where we will spend 2 days exploring my old stomping grounds. Then back to Barcelona for the next 5 days.

    Buckle up…Voy a volver!

    ATL-BCN

    I kept a journal when I was in España —this is the inside cover of that diario when I was 19 and 20 years old!

    This was a vision board before we knew what vision boards were! Obviously my younger self liked the Spanish fiesta/nightlife.😉