Casa Battlo – depth of feels

So as I’ve said before, it has been a busy few weeks. From Korea, I went back home for a day and then went on an almost-20 hour flight to Spain with my family. So yes, I am writing this, I am half asleep from the jetlag.

It was an amazing trip though. Amazing in a roller coaster of emotions kind of way. We cried, laughed, feared for our lives, stood in silence out of awe, ate good food and enjoyed our time as a complete family.

Our first stop was Barcelona.

On our first day, we went around the area where we stayed (Passeig de Gracia), AND WE WERE ROBBED. We were sitting in a bench in front of the Cathedral de Barcelona (picture below) , and within a matter of a few minutes, my sister’s bag was stolen. And in that bag was her passport. No worries though, she got a travel document and was able to go around Europe by Train with two of my siblings. The rest of us went on a Cruise, as planned.

Bench where the robbery happened:

Our second day was less tragic.

Our first stop was Casa Battlo, a house designed by the great Antoni Gaudi. His designs were not only aesthetically nice, they were also innovative for his time. He even custom made brass door handles, that were extremely ergonomic. You could open the door form either hand, from any side. He also made custom lettering to signify different rooms all over the house.

Our next stop was Museo de Picasso. They didn’t allow pictures inside so I don’t have pictures.

I was able to go around Passeig de Picasso and take pictures though.

And then we went back to Passeig De Gracia and took a Tapas Tour from Casa Gracia. I was semi-tipsy from drinking wine while I was hungry, but I was able to take some photos. Photos are not of the tapas though. I took pictures of the buildings and the people around the neighborhood.

For our last full day, we went to two other Gaudi-designed structures.

La Sagrada De Familia:

The facade did in no way prepare us for what we were going to see inside. From the heavy, dark and almost creepy outside, you’ll see a sanctuary made of caves of different colored lights and shapes. Almost as if replicating my experience of being catholic – beyond fear of God, beyond tradition, there is the light and the love of God that will keep us purposeful. (Woah, didn’t expect to get all religious. But yes, that’s how I felt)