arriving in barcelona

teh column of columbus at the south end of la rambla



we got here by noon because our flight left paris in the morning (1030). that was cool, and it basically gave us an extra day to explore this town. indeed, our hotel is right in the middle of las ramblas, which is a long pedestrian street that has all sorts of little kiosks set up selling all sorts of weird things (like live chickens); there are also restaurants, and other things to be expected at such a street in a big city (like street artists, etc). the main reason that i wanted to make sure to come to barcelona was to see anotonio gaudi’s architecture. we got a map, and put all the spots on it, but since we were starting the day late, we decided to save that for the next day. instead what we did was walk down to the bottom of las ramblas, to the marina (it is right on the sea). it reminded me of cities in southern california like long beach or san diego. however, paola was quick to point out that southern california looked much better (it didnt help that the sky was overcast with clouds, either, something that effects paola’s judgements greatly). so down at the end of the marina was a new shopping mall (which we didnt go into), and lots of boats. around the back of the mall there was also an aquarium, which is supposed to be the best in europe. paola likes aquariums, so we went in. just as expected, there were lots of fish and stuff. they had a big tank filled with big fish and sharks, and we were able to walk around underneath it to see everything. but other than that, there wasnt anything else (except a little tank with sea horses). if this is the best aquarium in europe, then europe has some crappy aquariums! paola kept saying how the one in baltimore was amazing, and how she has to take me one day. ok. i personally had also seen lots of great aquariums in the usa. oh well.

then we walked away from the marina, along the sea line to the beaches. the beaches were surrounded by a poor neighborhood with rundown buildings, so the beaches didnt appear appealing, despite the fact that they were so close to where we are staying about five minute walk). i am sure that catalan (the region in spain where we are) has many other fine beaches outside of barcelona. i wondered how they could make the beaches better, and i reminded myself of dodger stadium in los angeles (and other, much more recent events), where they basically condemned all the properties in chavez ravine (despite the fact that the predominiately mexican population that was living there was doing just fine, and had no complaints), dragged them out of their homes (that were, after all, condemned), and bulldozed their houses to make dodger stadium. i dont think that would happen here in here (or, for that matter, anywhere in europe) becuase there seems to be a much stronger marxist, or communist, contigency in europe which looks after the interests of the poorer folk. in any case, we didnt like the beach, and probably wont be going there during our stay here (unless it gets really, really hot, which it probably wont). however, there is a center at the end of the beach (which we did not reach because we were too tired, and didnt like the environment), that has a large frank gerhy sculpture (that i was able to photograph from afar) that looks interesting, so maybe we will go back.

we were very tired, and down but when we got back to the marina, and then to las ramblas, our spirits picked up again (like i said, being in a dreary environment has its effect on us). we walked all the way up las ramblas. on the marina end, there is a large column with christopher columbus on the top, and at the other end, at least a mile up, there is the major center of the city called catalunya, where all the subway trains and busses seem to come. there is a large park there as well.

an interesting thing about being here has to do with this region of spain. like i said, we are in the region of spain called catalonia. all of the signs around town (like at the aquarium) are written in spanish, english, and catalan (something that paola (although very fluent in spanish) cannot recognize or discern in either print or conversation (we have overheard people talking, and she doesnt know what the heck they are saying)). this is a proud region of spain, which has even tried to declare independence from spain in the past (but is unique from the basques). in fact, during the spanish civil war, barcelona was the center of the republican, or communist, or democratic government (that eventually lost to the fascists). it is also very proud of its artist sons: salvador dali, pablo picasso, and anotonio gaudi. i did not know that barcelona was in catalonia before we got here, but once we got here, i was reminded of how proud dali was of his home, which is found in landscape form in many of his paintings. this made me more excited to be here. only very recently (when i told my mom that i was coming to barcelona), did i learn that i actually have catalan blood in my veins, by which i feel even more connected to these artists, and the land (though, i must admit, blood is only so thick without culture; however, it might explain (in a mystical sort of sense) both my brother’s and my leanings towards the arts, that (upon my recent visits with my family) dont seem to be from the greek side), and seem to have come up from nowhere (a conclusion that my brother and i have arrived at; however, we may have to revise that conclusion (especially in consideration of my mother’s own artistic talents and interests in certain crafts (which we foolishly ignored (however, i must admit that i have thought of them recently to explain our interests)); perhaps, after all, blood is thicker than i might have thought, and catalan blood influences me more than i previously believed (though i may still be very hesitant to claim myself as half spanish or catalan, seeing as how little the culture has played a part in my life)).