Portrait: Youth

As I said in yesterday's post I would show you the same model when she's not impersonating terror characters. It is her in real life. Why do I call this portrait Youth? Well, she makes me think of innocence, of expectations, of life plans, of future. It is that face we used to have once that is now covered in multiple protective layers against external "perils" after so much "disappointment" with the rest of world. In fact she is spontaneously impersonating the joy of life, a mysterious asset we forget so often and ever present in our young ones. Let them all enjoy so much happiness before it's too late!

Portrait: Improvised Terror Makeup

Portraits are not my specialty, if I can be considered good at anything, so I try to practice now and then. It is strange that I decide to post portraits but my model decided to improvise a little and I could not resist.

She prefers to stay anonymous so let's pretend this is just a professional session and I've never seen her before.

As I think I wasn't favoring her too much I will show you the same model in the next post just to compensate.

On Goldfish Pond

My recent posting has been as chaotic as this image. I apologize for that. I've been taking the camera with me less often than I would like to and on top of that I will be on holidays next August. We are visiting beautiful Scotland for two weeks and then part of Spain so please don't count me out cause I'll be back full of energy for new Barcelona pictures. Why so few pictures lately? We've been taking care of elder members in the family and there is not much time to go for a stroll on weekends. Nevertheless, I will find the time to keep posting for you, because you deserve it and why not, because I love taking photographs.

Horta's Labyrinth from a Child's Perspective

Absorbed in his own thoughts, subdued by the beauty of the cypress hedges tracing up the illusive path of the 18th century Neoclassical labyrinth at his feet, stands a boy, a sort of watchman that seems to be part of the decoration in the famous romantic garden. The guard at Parc del Laberint d'Horta had warned him that standing on the balustrade was not allowed but the view of the intricate design of the maze from above and the laughter of people getting lost in the wrong alley were so compelling that it is worth taking the risk of a second reprimand. In a way, I can understand the boy but this is surely a place to protect, a unique park in Barcelona with some history behind. A long, long time ago, works on the old estate of Joan Antoni Desvalls i d'Ardena Marquis of Llupià, Poal and Alfarràs, Catalan scientific and prosperous landowner, had been commissioned to Italian architect Domenico Bagutti. It was 1791. The marquis, who was a cultivated person and an artist himself, conceived the design of this romantic garden influenced by Greek mythology in close cooperation with the architect. Desvalls was vice president of the Barcelona Royal Academy of Arts and Natural Sciences for a long period of time and even wrote specialized scientific articles in the quiet of his well provided library. But turning back to the picture, the kid is looking at one of the three levels or terraces of the park, the first and lower level includes the labyrinth, behind his back the middle level features the temples with cupolas and Tuscan columns, and the upper level was meant to collect water for the garden (there's a superb pond with goldfish up there). Besides those levels which are covered with statues, busts, flower jars and fountains there are separate gardens with their own particular ambience. There's the Boxwood garden with topiary art, the Romantic with a faked cemetery, the Petit Laberint, the Domestic which is full of camellias and another devoted to moss plants called Jardi de les Molses. To complete the atmosphere of the place nothing like a small cascade away from the main path and a romantic channel leading to the Island of Love. Parc del Laberint d'Horta was opened to the public by the Town Hall in 1971 and later restored in 1994. If you want to visit the place, please check for more info here.

Goal Keepers: The Next Generation

Everybody is aware by now that Spanish soccer is marking the way, is taking the lead in merging the old school with modern efficiency, without rejecting the beautiful plays and the fresh inspiration of its stars, the magic touch. All together working for the team, by heart, with the heart and also with good tactics. There is no special trick to make the most out of the machinery, to obtain the best results. The secret of good soccer lies in investing time and money in teaching young generations from an early age, putting all necessary resources at their disposal. Maybe one day this young goal keeper becomes another Casillas, Reina or Valdes, who knows. Perhaps he makes it to FC Barcelona! Best of luck to you my friend.

Estacion de Francia Dome

This is how one of the three domes in Barcelona's Estació de França looks like as seen if you stand underneath the hanging metal sphere which is really some meters away from the concave ceiling. To have a better idea and learn about the railway station please visit this previous post: Estació de França - Barcelona's Most Charming Railway Station

The Olive Tree, a Charismatic Mediterranean Storyteller

We can say that there are anonymous trees and then there are trees with charisma. There are trees that would be the pawns in a chessboard and then there is the queen or the king. I mean, you can walk past a whole line of identical spruces and remain indifferent while stumbling upon an oak, a sequoia or a baobab makes you experience that certain something certifying that the thing is alive, that it has some history, a story to tell. Here in Europe, in the Mediterranean basin, one of the most emblematic story tellers and history witnesses is the olive tree. Olives from Greek Elaia give this healthy and tasty oil that has been present in the collective memory of Mediterranean peoples for ages. There are so many dishes, so many recipes, so many products associated with olive oil, so many victories associated with olive branches, so many years of fallowing, of harvesting, of successful crops, of prosperous trade with other countries...olive trees do have a lot to tell if only we knew how to understand them. I had a little conversation with this one at Parc del Laberint.

Megrim (Gallo) at Market Stall in Barcelona

This is what I think is a Megrim sole or Whiff (Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis) a species of flatfish. In Spanish we call it Gallo, the French call it Cardine and Italians, Rombo Giallo. It is also referred to as white sole or lantern flounder. I mentioned a totally different fish called Gallo before in Barcelona Photoblog. Well, what's in a name. The point is I am always attracted by the looks of market food, of dead animals displayed kind of artistically to lure customers. I hope this still life portrait serves taxonomists and food enthusiasts alike. Before I say goodbye today let me tell you that megrim is inexpensive and quite good for soup. Although it is not very tasty, it can be served filleted along with other ingredients. Try this recipe: Cornish Megrim poached in a white wine and mushroom sauce.

Passeig Picasso, Barcelona: Man Walking Dog

In a quiet morning, under the plane trees, along the archways of Passeig Picasso in Barcelona, there goes a man with a dog. The dog contemplating the entrance to Ciutadella Park at the end of the road longing for that daily walk, the man distracted by some shop window to his right. Probably the same scene could have taken place back in 1888 when the Parc de la Ciutadella and some buildings in the area were built for the World Exhibition. With a little touch of imagination of course.

El Born, Carrer de la Princesa in Barcelona: Where The Past Meets The Present

This is the intersection of Carrer de la Princesa stretching ahead in the distance, Carrer del Rec to the left and Carrer d'en Tantarantana to the right which you can explore here in this Google Map street view link of this side of El Born in La Ribera quarter. I thought it was interesting you could compare the picture with the map and have the chance to move around in this old neighborhood of historic narrow alleys. Remember El Born is not just old stones and rickety buildings with balconies full of exuberant plants and clothes lines, of orange butane gas cylinders or barking dogs. El Born is also one of the most active areas in the city when it comes to nightlife, food, shopping and cultural activities.

Riding a Bike Near Arc de Triomf, Barcelona

There's not much I can say in this one. A man riding a small bike near famous Arc de Triomf in Barcelona. Passeig de Lluis Companys, which is the name of this promenade is a beautiful place to explore with your bicycle while taking care of the extra pounds. Our Arch of Triumph has been fully covered in Barcelona Photoblog and I recommend you follow the link as a starting point

Ginseng Root Sample in El Born, Barcelona

Ginseng roots have this peculiar shape which might look kind of bizarre inside a pharmacy container. They remind me of an alien foetus in formaldehyde about to move or some abyssal creature in a natural science museum. But as ugly and uncanny as it may seem, ginseng, derived from the Chinese term rénshēn or "man root", is almost a miraculous plant due to its many virtues when it comes to healing and keeping a healthy balance in our body. I am not familiar with traditional medicine but the age factor is changing my approach towards conventional methods lately. According to what I read, this is good to treat depression, diabetes, cholesterol problems, or even our good old German friend Alzheimer, if you know what I mean. And then there's the eternal concern about impotence which this human-like root seems to handle quite efficiently. Of course, you should consult this with an expert cause there are side effects too. I found this beautiful specimen at a small store in El Born area. According to their description they sell: grains, flour, dried fruit and nuts, herbs, spices, soy, soy milk, pet food, rice, pasta and much more. Here is the location on a map.

Open Mon-Fri 09:15-13.00/16.15-19.30, Sat 09:15-13.30.

Pg Picasso 34, Ciutat Vella, 08003, Barcelona.

Tel: 93 319 7 636

Plaça de les Olles, Barri de La Ribera, Barcelona

In the old part of town, Barcelona can boast of several squares with this atmosphere of intimacy only given by the very architecture, by the space in between buildings. I mean, behind the next corner you may find a hidden spot with no sidewalks, few trees...sort of esplanades with terrace chairs and a fountain at most. In those places you certainly travel in time and in that sense you are just another old villager, part of the historical settings, part of the scene. A good example is Plaça de les Olles at Barri de La Ribera in the center of El Born. I am not fond of making gratuitous publicity but a few exceptions when it comes to recommending places to visit or enjoy the local food do help. As it happens to be in the picture here is a link to an interesting place to have tapas and taste some excellent wine: El Celler de La Ribera. At least the terrace well deserves spending a buck or two.

Celler de la Ribera
Plaça de les Olles 6, 08003, Barcelona
93 3107845

Flamenco Dancer in Sant Andreu Theater, Barcelona

This is a flamenco dancer performing at Sant Andreu theater. I happened to be there cause my daughter is in a small local dance school near home taking hip hop lessons. They include other styles in their repertoire like flamenco, salsa or bollywood dance so they were giving this end of the course performance where all classes had their chance to show what they learned during the year. We were lucky to sit up front so it was interesting to capture them from a very low angle.

Playing Petanca, Passeig de Lluis Companys, Barcelona

Here are some old men, retirees perhaps, playing petanca in Passeig de Lluis Companys, next to famous Arc de Triomf.

According to wikipedia: 'Pétanque (French pronunciation: ​[petɑ̃k]; Occitan: petanca [peˈtaŋkɔ]) is a form of boules where the goal is to toss or roll hollow steel balls as close as possible to a small wooden ball called a cochonnet (literally "piglet") or jack, while standing inside a circle with both feet on the ground'

This as you know is quite common in Catalonia and I have covered it in a previous post.

I like the fact they are standing in groups and they are quite concentrated in the strategy of the game.

Moving in Barcelona

Moving to a different house or apartment in Barcelona is of course as in many cities something very common. It is not strange to see these huge ladders with a lifting platform hanging from balconies here and there. This was not always like that. I remember that in the 80s heavy furniture in general had to reach upper storeys by means of pulleys hanging out from the roof or using the staircase or elevators if any. In the picture, moving service staff at work in one of those El Born buildings with the beautiful arcades right in front of Ciutadella parc.

Barcelona Railway Stations: Estació de França

Railway stations have that certain nostalgic mood associated to departures, to waving goodbye and leaving your beloved behind. Many times we think of steam, of steel, of ticket collectors and whistles as if we were in the XIX century, maybe evoking famous movies, you know, the kind where the guy runs along all the platform to find the girl and hold her hand or to try in vain to get her off the wagon. After I finished writing these words I found there was a good article about trains in films. Among other things the author talks about the different emotions triggered by a railway station. I think Railways in Film by Jiro Hanyu fits the kind of atmosphere I wanted to portray with this photograph of Estació de França in Barcelona.

Down El Born Streets

Walking down El Born streets in Barcelona. Early in the morning. The smell of night and terraces still fading away, diluting in the puddles left by cleaning city services. Sidewalks populated little by little. Lamp post bulbs still warm. Artists setting up their painting boards. Curious cameras stalking behind corners.

Barcelona Bars: Opening Ceremony

A small bar called Rincón in El Born neighborhood. One of the many terraces in Barcelona city to enjoy the fine weather and the great food. Most of them do not need to be very pretentious to offer good service and quality products for a reasonable price. Before the play begins, the staff needs to set up the stage to amuse the audience. On many occasions these are family businesses as seems to be the case here. This is what we would call el bar de la esquina (the corner's bar), our friendly place to chat over some beers with our neighbors. A tradition that is clearly losing ground to modern times and new business models.

Building at Carrer del Triangle and Carrer del Rec, El Born, Barcelona

Here in Barcelona, we could say we have our own Flatiron building in El Born at the intersection of Carrer del Triangle and Carrer del Rec figuratively speaking of course. Here you can appreciate this triangular building in Earth view at Google maps.