Heron City Barcelona: Kids at Play

Today I choose a snapshot of some kids playing at Heron City Barcelona. While my wife and daughter were shopping I stopped to watch the show, a couple of actors impersonating a copper and a thief wandered through the crowd. Grownups avoided them ashamed of being the center of attention, but children let their imagination fly and were having a wonderful time. It is quite a normal image but I like the moment of the action, the funny pose of the small girl in pink who was lashing the poor mime with a branch in a sudden burst of joy.

For information about Heron City Barcelona and links to the official site check my previous post Shades and Colours

See Heron City Barcelona Picture on a Google Earth Map

Barcelona Street Artist X: Paella Tête-à-Tête

Paella n. A saffron-flavored Spanish dish made with varying combinations of rice, vegetables, meat, chicken, and seafood originating in the town of Valencia. Hum...not exactly. As you see the element of surprise was missing in the definition. Not that I disapprove having paella at Las Ramblas, where you can enjoy the view and stretch your tired tourist legs under the effect of huge Sangrias served in "buckets", but an experimented native gourmet would say it is almost a sacrilege. Maybe this sort of parody was meant to warn innocent tourists, we will never know. If you want another angle, there you go.

See Barcelona Street Artist at Las Ramblas Picture on a Google Earth Map

Columbus Monument at Las Ramblas, Barcelona

I am finding it really hard to post today, as Barcelona FC has won the Champions League (Soccer Final Cup) against Arsenal, and I can only hear horns blowing in the street and people shouting...God, I wish I had a picture of Ronaldinho, Eto or Belletti to show you. I know that for most of you who may not be soccer fans this doesn´t really mean much but at least you would have had a great time watching.

I couldn´t find anything more appropiate than the statue of Columbus a notable symbol of Barcelona, showing the way with pride. (My admiration goes to Arsenal FC, a powerful and elegant opponent). Once it is all said, we shouldn´t forget Columbus Monument: A 60m high column designed by Gaietà Buigas i Monravà for the Universal exhibition of 1888 located at Plaça de la Porta de Pau facing Port Vell. In case you decide to take the lift, you will enjoy a panoramic view of Barcelona Port and Las Ramblas in the back. Wow, now they start with fire crackers! It is going to be a long night.

See Columbus Monument Picture on a Google Earth Map

Barcelona Port: Lady at Rambla de Mar

Today I show you Rambla de Mar a narrow plank walk departing from Moll de la Fusta towards Port Vell and Maremagnum. Modern in design and free from protective barriers it is the ideal place for reading, basking in the sun, jogging, or meditating. I was taking pictures nearby, when I came across this lady holding a bunch of flowers, a look of despair in her eyes, lost in her own thoughts as hypnotized by the reflections of the sea. The image was enhanced by the presence of a big ferry sailing to the Balearic Islands in the background, a Golondrina (sightseeing boat covering the port area) and the Teleferic, an aerial cable car going over the city from the mountain of Montjuic. Here you have another shot a little bit closer.

See Rambla de Mar at Barcelona Port on a Google Earth Map

Barcelona Street Artist IX: Come with Mama!

If you take a look at my previous post about Barcelona fast food and Mediterranean diet, you will notice that the artist in the picture was talking to a friend during a break. Well, today I came back and caught "her", but paying a big price. The moment I gave her my coin she stepped forward and plunged my head between her huge breasts. From here I would like to encourage all those tourists who got the image to contact me so we can reach an agreement before starting with the blackmail. See here a side view that illustrates the junk food issue I raised then (in the background you see a delivery van, guess what they sell: fried potatoes!). One extra photo here with better sight of bottle of beer lodged right there.

See Barcelona Street Artist IX Picture on a Google Earth Map.

Bridge over Barcelona Forum Water

My Barcelona picture today goes about a bridge, in fact a small footbridge over the new sports harbour at the Barcelona Forum premises. Notice the odd irregular shape and take a look at the marina photo. Besides admiring the innovative design, don´t miss the benches on both sides where you can rest and let your mind fly looking at the sea.

See Footbridge over Sant Adria Marina Picture on a Google Earth Map

Modernisme: Casa Batlló

Casa Batlló one of the most exuberant and renowned representatives of Modernisme or Catalan Art Nouveau in Barcelona, by Antoni Gaudí, is located at Passeig de Gracia, 43.

Built between 1875 and 1877, became the property of Josep Batlló Casanovas by 1900 who first thought of demolition but then fortunately after four years decided to commission Gaudí to renovate the building.

These few words are just an introduction to the whole story which you can discover along with excellent pictures at the official Casa Batlló Site.

You almost have to stand in line for a good shot here, flashes firing all over your head, so I guess I must be traveling in somebody's photograph on the way home.

See Casa Batlló Picture on a Google Earth Map

Port Vell, Barcelona: Ictineu II Submarine

At the harbor of Barcelona, in front of the Imax Port Vell cinema and near Maremagnum shopping center  there is a reproduction of The Ictineu II, the first combustion driven submarine and anaerobic engine, invented by Narcís Monturiol i Estarriol who was born in Figueres, Catalonia (Spain) in 1819.

The first successful combustion powered submarine was launched the 2nd of October 1864.

Monturiol died tragically and impoverished in Barcelona in 1885.

Check Ictineu II Submarine on a Google Earth Map

Recycling and Poverty in Barcelona

Many people in Barcelona make a living gathering cardboard, metal or plastic scrap from regular garbage or recycling containers. I was taking coffee when I saw this man passing by with an enormous cart, he was going very fast so I had to run two blocks after him to shoot. Sometimes it seems kind of cruel to photograph people in such situation, I just wish my image humbly contributes to cause a stir in the consciousness of our community.

See Picture of Carrer Industria on a Google Earth Map

Barcelona Sculptures: A Stroll in Montjuic

If you are an art lover, specially if you appreciate sculptures go for a stroll in Montjuic. You have several ways of access as it is a mountain and statues are scattered all over the place. Today I show you this skinny man obviously an athlete, under the shadow of a tree near Palau de la Mercè and not very far from Palau Sant Jordi. I like the fragile but agile complexion of the body, almost feline emulating the shape of the spires in the background.

See Sculpture near Palau de la Mercè on a Google Earth Map

Modernism in Barcelona: Hospital de Sant Pau

Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, is a modernist complex designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner (see my April post: Gargoyles).

The access pavilion at the intersection of carrer Sant Antoni Maria Claret and carrer Cartagena is covered with exposed brickwork, and features a tower clock on top.

Inside you can admire the excellent stained glass by Mario Maragliano, a richly wrought staircase and these purple ceilings, that recall Islamic architecture.

From all the amazing things I discovered inside (when I carry my camera I am much more aware of minor details around me) I prefer this precious lamp.

 Try to discover what's on top.

See Hospital de Sant Pau Picture on a Google Earth Map

Sagrada Familia: Longinos and the Sacred Spear

Ask me how I feel now. I had prepared an inspired post about the legend of Longinos the character in my picture and I was using Picasa function called Blog This. After more than an hour of work, I click on publish and there it goes down the drains. Can I swear here? So now I can only "thank" Blogger and Picasa for the big help.

Summary: Cayo Casio Longinos was the soldier who pierced the dead body of Christ with a spear, the sacred spear. His eyesight was impaired but he got cured when splashed by the gushing blood coming out of Jesus wound. Converted to the faith he went on a pilgrimage carrying a metal cup, containing the blood, which is also known as the Holy Grial.

You can see more pictures of the Passion Façade here and some more information in my previous post about the gates of this Sagrada Familia portal.

See the Sagrada Familia Picture on a Google Earth Map

Barcelona Forum: Open Spaces and Modern Design

Strolling around the Barcelona Forum esplanade you immediately recognize the use of modern design and architecture applied to open spaces, oriented to a better functionality and visual stimulation. Notice how almost every object along this walk follows a suggested perspective. Even this bicycle seems to be running faster towards the horizon.

See Barcelona Forum on a Google Earth Map

Heron City Barcelona: Shades and Colors

This curious design caught my attention while visiting Heron City Barcelona, a modern complex combining shops, restaurants, movie theaters, and a tower hotel. Heron City Center is next to a brand new El Corte Inglés (major chain of stores in Spain), to Can Dragó municipal sports center and an old beautiful cemetery (yes, I know it is weird).

See Heron City Barcelona Picture on a Google Earth Map

Hotel Arts: Accommodation in Barcelona

Today I show you Hotel Arts. Built for the Olympics, it is a predominant building in the skyline of Barcelona and the beach area. A combination of luxury, modern design, and functionality gives this five star hotel a high rank in top lists all over the world. Recently you could see Harrison Ford or Mourinyo staying there. It was the place where Ronaldiño lodged when he came to Barcelona. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Arts Barcelona was designed by the notable architecture firm Skidmore Owings and Merrill and it has 44 floors.

General Statistics for Barcelona Tourism year 2005

In 2005 there were 10.931.637 hotel stays, more than 49.235 hotel rooms and 5.052.766 visitors according to official figures.

See Hotel Arts Picture on a Google Earth Map

B from Barcelona

Not very far from the city of Barcelona, near a town called Sant Feliu de Codines and while visiting Cim d'Àligues (the eagles peak) I took the classical kind of picture of bee roaming around flower. The group was listening to a detailed explanation on the habits of birds of prey and I went aside for some macros on the beatiful flowers in the vicinity. By now, you are wondering what this Cim d'Àligues is after all. It is a "center created for the study, breeding, exhibition and free-flight of birds of prey" for educational purposes. A wonderful place that I recommend. Perhaps I´ll show a couple of shots some other day.

See Picture on a Google Earth Map

Barcelona People: Oh Happy Days!

What can be more comforting than watching children play. Just for a little while set aside all your adult prejudice, your daily stress and sulkiness and try to remember where the joy of life really is!. Recall the old days when you were not thinking about the past or the future and all you cared about in this world was to run and laugh, to shout and have some fun. The snapshot was taken at shopping center La Maquinista. There are some distracting elements in the background but kids wouldn´t wait!

Barcelona People: Pride

Today I didn´t feel in the mood for color. I thought a little try at BW would be just fine and what is better than people for this purpose. On the bus from work bored as hell on my half an hour ride, I was playing with my camera and caught the expression of pride in this lady's face. I think I will start taking pictures of people every once in a while, people from Barcelona of all kind. Wish me luck, I'm too shy!

Barcelona Forum Reflections

While walking at the Barcelona Forum building premises I spotted this square reflective light shaft. The chaotic geometric figures that it casts still surprise me. At first, I did not notice the noise caused by the pedestrian protection fence in the image that finally turned out to be an extraordinary reference point to get a much better idea about distorsion. Some more information about this place can be found in my previous post: The Forum Building

See Barcelona Forum on a Google Earth Map

My Own Piece of Sky for Free

This is what I sometimes see from my window. At this time of day everything seems magical and the clouds adopt different shapes perfect for a nice picture. The view is what I call my private piece of sky, but of course you are free to share it with me!

See My Own Piece of Sky for Free on a Google Earth Map