We started day three in Spain with breakfast at our hotel, drinking freshly squeezed OJ and stuffing various pastries and croissants into Carla’s purse for a “cheapie” lunch (hey, we’re paying for the breakfast 8-) We began with a visit to the Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar where we lit a candle by Saint Ignatius Loyola and took a moment to pray for friends and family. After that, we hit the Picasso museum, which displayed mostly his earlier works as a young man (since he left and vowed never to step foot in Spain while Franco was still the dictator). Highlights included a number of impressive portraits, The First Communion, a number of off-color sketches, and Las Meninas a cubist collection based on the Diego Velazquez oil painting of the same name. There were only a handful of paintings from Picasso’s “Blue” period and his famous Guernica painting we discovered resides in Madrid.
After Picasso, we decided to get outside. Jim enjoyed his first glass of Spanish wine (so much for the not drinking along with Carla) and we enjoyed lounging with the Spanards at an outside café. After we went to explore some of the parks of Barcelona. We started with the nearby Parc de la Ciuadelia but left shortly after when we couldn’t find a bathroom for Carla (even after she had just gone before leaving the Picasso Museum… ah the wonders of pregnancy 8-) After a quick stop, we headed up to Montjuic a giant hill and castle (along with Olympic Stadium) that formerly protected the port but is now a big park. We paid an exorbitant fee to ride the cable car to the top of the mountain for a nice view of the city and harbor (but we liked the Parc Guell’s view better) We were planning on heading to Olympic Stadium from there (it was at the foot of the hill opposite the city center) but were getting tired and decided to head back. We went back to the hotel (walked it this time) and confer with our new best friend Rick Steve (Best of Europe author) on the restaurant Hostel de Rita. We gorged ourselves on mozzarella and tomatoes, stuffed red peppers, ham stuffed chicken and a tasty fish dish. It was our best meal yet and we finished it off with the Tim Baon desert special, two slices of nougat ice-cream swimming in hot chocolate and cream sauce! Not to mention the Spanish bottle of wine Jim drank himself! Good night!
1 comment:
Loved your comments about Picasso. When I was in NYC to speak at the memorial service for Dr. Exelby, I took time to see the Guggenheim's marvelous exhibit on Spanish painting. The paintings were arranged by subject. The work of artists from 3 different time periods were displayed. On 2 or 3 series, Picasso was part of a trio that consisted of his elders, Velasquez, Goya, Zubarain, or El Greco. Picasso's lasting debt to Spain was clearly evident. particularly with las Meninas.
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