From the Mediterranean to Gaudi

Sailing the Sea to Barcelona

Friends and Family,

I am now in the Tuscan city of Firenze (Florence) and have found a suitable coffee shop that not only fascinates me through the Andy Warhol art covering the walls but also has one of the best cups of coffee I’ve had in Europe thus far. So, what has happened between my bitter defeat at Pamplona and the gorgeous city I am now staying?

I just wanna be like Leo...
except not drown

Will and I had a brief interlude in Barcelona that was filled with city exploration, Doner kebab, and pub crawls. My excitement welled at the thought of exploring more of the Gaudi architecture in Barcelona, but first we needed to meet my family members in Mallorca. We flew one hour across the water to the larger of the three off-shore islands that make up the Balearan islands (Ibiza, Mallorca, and Menorca).  We were picked up by my mom and uncle and then we headed to Santa Ponca harbor where my uncle, Friedel’s, sailboat was currently docked. With the six of us on board the Amel 54 sailboat (mom, grandma, aunt, uncle, Will, and myself), we set out onto the Mediterranean Sea in direction of Barcelona. It was Mediterranean morning was beautiful as we left the Santa Ponca harbor. The craggy cliffs were pocked with small caves and crevices that created shadows, causing the early sunlight to only illuminate small pieces of the vertical landscape. After we were on the sea for a couple hours the winds picked up and the boat began to sway. No one was really affected by the boat’s violent swaying at first, but the repetition of the inconstant lurching of the sailboat can get to you quickly, and by the time we were halfway through the journey half of the crew had become sick. Grandma, Uncle Friedel, and I were unaffected. I actually slept most of the time (my one very special talent being that I can sleep at anyplace in any condition). By nightfall, we were pulling into the Barcelona harbor called Port Vell. Over the course of the next few days we travelled throughout Barcelona to see the different sights of Gaudi. My days generally followed a wake up, swim at the local beach, grab a cup of coffee and use the internet at a café called “Foc You” Café, and then head out sightseeing.

This is the longest bench
in the world...but is is
the thickest?

The rocky tunnel of Gaudi

The first of these sights was Park Guell. Gaudi designed this entire park which looks like something out of Alice in Wonderland. As you walk up the windy staircase you find a mosaic dragon fountain which guards the entrance to the pillared courtyard. On top of these pillars lies the dirt park and picnic area of the park. However, it’s not just chairs that are set up in the picnic area. Gaudi designed the world’s longest park bench that twists and turns as it winds its way around the border of the park. The park is fascinating; each piece shows just what a creative and unique mind that Gaudi had. My favorite of these was a tunnel that has long stone arch ways that resemble to Roman arcades. As I walked through it I could imagine myself as a character from an epic fantasy novel, walking through the stone archways with a message for a mighty wizard (but that is just my strange mind).

The Bassilica of Montserrat

The next day, Will decided to leave for Aux-Aun Provance (sp?) in Spain. We wished him farewell and he left. It seemed so strange, having travelled with Will for two months and finally splitting paths in Spain. After Will had gone, we rented a car and headed to Montserrat, a monastery high in the mountains outside of Barcelona. Montserrat is incredible. It is a small grouping of Catholic buildings that seem to split the mountains in two. The cathedral is extremely old and equally as beautiful. The landscape begged for photography and I tried to satiate that demand as much as possible. I decided to hike the mountain paths behind the monastery to retrace the same steps that Catholic pilgrims have taken in the past. As I climbed through the steep path I passed by rock climbers who were carrying gear to the rounded peaks that scattered the skyline. Someday I will have to come back and ascend the mountain as it should be rather than just hike the paths just below.

High up in the cliffs of
Montserrat

The day had finally come and it was time to depart from Barcelona. I felt anxious; I really was hoping to stay in Barcelona as long as possible. Barcelona had quickly become my favorite city in Europe (now giving way to Firenze, but that’s for another post). On the trip back we replaced our 6^th crewmember space with Olivierre, the French boat enthusiast that works on my uncle’s boat. Olivierre is a riot, he is constantly telling jokes and made a long journey seem simple and fun. The trip back was fantastic, we stopped in various harbors and anchorages (my favorite being Cote D’or) until finally we had returned to Mallorca. My last day in Mallorca was spent driving around the countryside to see what was impossible to sea from sailing around the island. The country is speckled with olive trees that seen from above, I would imagine, would appear like freckles across the landscape. I learned as we drove that olive trees become thicker as they age.

Finally it was time for me to leave Spain. I said my goodbyes to the whole family and then mom took me to the airport. Spain has been a wonderful trip, but it was finally time to move on to Italy. Finally time for me to journey to my food Mecca: Emilia-Romagna.

Still Wandering,
JC