The obligatory drinks at the bar during our layover in Miami!
October 1- Kelly and I arrive to Barcelona in the morning after not much more than a few winks of sleep on the plane. Rather than staying at a hotel Kelly and I opted for renting an apartment on Ferran Street which is a main street right off La Rambla, the main drag of the city. After searching for apartments on line (one of which would require us to hike up 80 steps each time we came home - no thank you!) we decided on the "Gay Chandelier Apartment", because every vacation is better with a rainbow chandelier, don't you think?!? We bought a phone card and after about 20 minutes we figured out how to use it correctly to call the owners of the apartment and let them know that we had landed, as well as solidify the time and place where we would meet to get the keys.
Thank goodness the meeting time was a few hours later because I think we took the longest route possible to get into the city via a bus, train, metro and a bit of walking.
Our fabulous keys, old school love it!
The view from our balcony when it isn't crowded. Note the church across the street - Yes, that means church bells throughout the day and night!
Then... all of a sudden, a Hare Krishna parade comes down right below us.
After a couple hours of absolutely necessary catch up sleep, we took some all important pictures with the centerpiece of the apartment before heading out on the town.
Just down the block we walk into La Placa Reial which is a square full of restaurants - Perfect! We pick one for our first real meal in the city and, of course, our first Sangria of the week.
As we wold soon learn, Barcelona is certainly a tourist town and everyone wants to sell you something. Maybe if she tries on the light up flashing galsses and rings she'll buy them... NOT!
IMPORTANT LESSON: Just because you are in Spain, does not mean to order a Sangria at every joint you go to... When in a pub stick with the cerveza! The Sangria was so bad it was undrinkable!
The fun has certainly begun!!! And so have the extended arm self-portraits, we were really good at them, as we will demonstrate as this posting continues :)
October 2 - After sleeping in until noon, hey we are on vacation, we forced ourselves to wake up. We had "brunch" on La Rambla then walked down to Port Vell.
After walking along the Seafront we headed back through historic Ciutat Vella and Barri Goti, the Gothic Quarter.
Catedral de Barcelona
Palau de la Musica Catalana - Catalan Concert House
Then through Placa de Catalunya where there were a ton of pigeons.
Note: Kelly HATES birds...Darcie must then force her to stand among the birds especially as kids were feeding them... Luckily for her there were so many people walking by that they scattered quickly
That's a look of disgust on her face
I'm gonna kill you Darcie....
Get me out of here!
On our walk home down La Rambla, Kelly and I are minding our own business and people watching while being mindful of the infamous Barcelona pick pocketers, when all of a sudden SNORT!!! A little old man veers right into our faces and snorts at us then continues walking along the street. Kelly and I literally jumped as he took us so off guard and then couldn't help but laugh until we were snorting.
Placa De Sant Juame... Our "Big Ben" It is the square at the top of our block where City Hall is located. Whenever we were "lost" walking around the city, which was often, somehow, we'd end up here and we were a block form the apartment. It was as if there was a magnetic pull that would pull us back to Sant Juame.
That night we went back to Placa Reial for dinner and decided to try out the restaurant that had a line into the middle of the square, La Fonda. While waiting in line, we met a couple and started talking. The were also from the US and we had a lot in common (most importantly, he was a Packers fan and Kelly and I were going to try and catch the game at the Pub after dinner). We noticed that larger groups were being seated before two tops and so we decided to join up for dinner with the couple and we had a great time. After dinner, the four of us ended up in the pub and were out until we closed it down. (Note I did not order sangria in the pub tonight!)
October 3 - Today we walked ALL over the city! We began at La Boqueria, the very popular market in the middle of La Rambla. It is a market that is crammed with as many paeople as row after row of stalls selling their goods...
Fruit
Fruit Smoothies
Fish
Dried fruit and nuts
Candy
Chili Peppers
Innards
Pigs Feet
Even Octopus!!!
Then we as we walked we happened upon a little place called Jardin which was a little place within a cute courtyard that houses an art school and the old library. One of my favorite places because it was our own little find off the beaten path and it happened to have really good food!!! After lunch we weaved in and out of the neighborhoods trying to find "El Call", the Jewish Quarter. Sounds easy, but in not so much for two directionally challenged ladies, especially because these were the only markings along the narrow city buildings. But alas, we did find it and of course it was only a few blocks from our apartment and St. Juame Square. The old synagogue, the main attraction, was closed for siesta until later in the afternoon so we would have to go back to see it another time.
Sign at the Old Synagogue
Mezuzah on the Old Synagogue
Beach!!! Too bad we were not prepared for beach weather and didn't bring bathing suits with us :(
Oh, my you'll just have to ask me about this one...
After hanging out on the beach for a while, we wandered our way through Barceloneta, El Born, and other neighborhoods,
and into this beautiful Church, Santa Maria del Mar.
One of my favorite memories of Barcelona will always be this next bit. As we walked though this park we found ourselves among the 60 and older men's clubs of Barcelona. We sat and watched a Bocce Ball tournament for about 45 minutes. The men were so cute, and VERY competitive!
Note the best mullet ever!!!
Roll, Roll, Roll
"See right there I'm closest"
"I don't know about that Eduardo"
Round two
"Ay Dios Mio"
"This calls for a measuring tape!"
"WOOF WOOF", This is the man that snorted at us yesterday!!!! Today he is sitting across from the Bocce court and barking at unsuspecting passers by. He got such a kick out of their reactions and then just pretended it wasn't him. He was really funny and cute!
Then there are the card players, definitely not as much fun as Bocce!
We then walked through the Arc de Triomphe (Yes, Barcelona has one too)
Off in the distance is the Agbar Tower, a 144 meter tall office building. A modern tribute to Antoni Gaudi.
Hungry and tired we walked along La Rambla, sat down for an early dinner and then headed home. We got caught in a rally on our way home in support of the 15-M Movement speaking out about the Spanish economic crisis. They headed down La Rambla and turned right down our street to City Hall in Placa de Sant Juame.
The beginning of the rally on La Rambla
On Ferran Street from our balcony
Just in case...
After the excitement of the rally we kicked back with some Cava and called it an early evening so that we could get some rest.
October 4 - Kelly woke up with a bad headache so while she slept in I went back to go to visit the Sinogoga Major de Barcelona. In the 13th Century, as Catholicism was on the rise in Spain leading to the Spanish Inquisition, the Jews of Barcelona were forced out of the country or into hiding. This is said to be the oldest synagogue in Europe. In 1458 the it was abandoned and as the city grew around and up it was hidden without popular knowledge. In 1987 it was re-discovered by a man researching the Jewish people of Barcelona. It was dug up, as it was now below street level, and renovated and has been open as a museum and place for special occasions since 2002.
When in hiding the synagogue fronted as a fabric dying business. This is one of the holes where fabric was dyed. A glass floor was built above the hole for visitors to view.
The relics of the synagogue were donated as no objects were found when it was re-discovered.
This is a stained glass window that a local artist made for the synagogue.
I returned back to the apartment and Kelly was feeling better so we grabbed a bite to eat and went out to catch the bus up to Park Guell. Of course it took us forever to find the right bus stop, after walking by it about 4 times. Park Guell, was envisioned to be an English-style garden city with 60 homes (only 2 of which were built). Antoni Gaudi was commissioned by Eusebi Guell to create this city within a city. What it is now is a beautiful park (even more beautiful if you are wearing the right shoes to enjoy exploring it- right Kelly?) adorned with Gaudi's amazing architecture and creations.
Dog head Rain spouts
Gaudi's famous mosaic work
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Pause for a beer and a fake camera smile or two, or three...
Really I can't help it!
The Dragon that guards the main stairs
Ceiling of the "Room of 100 Columns"
After taking the bus back to La Rambla we walked around and did some shopping then had some tapas. We went back home and Skyped with the family which was a nice treat and then headed out to dinner. The plan was to find a restaurant "off the beaten trail" or at least off La Rambla. Well, as only Kelly and I can, when walking off the designated path we found ourselves on the path if the prostitutes... Walking at a fast pace back to La Rambla we had dinner back among the tourists.
Yes, Kelly had me in "training" for this trip but I don't know that I could ever handle that monster beer...
Oh, but she sure can, and did!
October 5- First stop today is the laundromat. Thank goodness there was one a block away. We learned a lot there. First you don't need to pack your own detergent (I hate when I'm over prepared) because the machines are equipped with detergent mixed into the wash cycle. Also, if the heat is not turned up on the dryer, your clothes will not dry... After laundry we walked to the Palau Guell (Guell Palace). Which was designed by Gaudi as a home for the Guell family. It was truly magnificent and genius!
The view from the ground floor up
**Even though Kelly and I did the audio-tour, we still got lost and ended up doing the tour backward from the roof down. You just simply can't make this stuff up, we are a total geographical/topographical mess!
Some of the 20 chimneys
Amazing woodwork, from the floors to the intricate ceilings, different in every room!
Ceilings...
Metal work
Banister
Toilet
Marble and Gaudi's signature fireplace with oval feature.
Chapel and Organ
One of my favorite pieces was this bench with the embossed leather back
Gaudi often used glass bottle bottoms in his mosaics and stained glass.
This wooden bench also served as a banister on the other side along a staircase.
For our last night we treated ourselves to a Flamenco show at Tarantos, and a delicious dinner in Placa Reial.
Barcelona was so much fun and of course an adventure :) Now on to the next adventure as we travel to Provence, France!
October 6 - Off we went lugging our bags down the 40 stairs of our apartment and up La Rambla to catch the bus to the airport where our rental car was waiting for us to travel to Provence. Surprisingly, and with the help of Viola, our GPS, we did not get lost. That does not mean however, that the trip was without adventure... We had rented a manual car, Kelly drives stick shift and I was the "navigator." Off we went driving along the four and a half hour route. We go through two toll plazas, no problem, then come into the next one and thought we were in the wrong lane... no attendant or place to put money... tried to reverse and go into the next lane... can't figure out how to reverse... try to figure out the toll and notices a button, pushed it and out came a ticket... phew... BUT we realized that we have no idea how to reverse! So we pull off into a rest stop to figure this thing out - we pull up to the left, push down to the left, read the manual (written in Spanish) and cannot for the life of us figure it out. Eventually we asked a man at the gas station to help and he showed us that your simply have to depress the stick then shift to the left. So simple, yet so difficult... now we are back on the road and off to meet the Bride and Groom.
Viola!
The view from my window...
The "Cliffs of Insanity", Inconceivable!
Suze La Rousse - Our town in Provence
Kelly and Xu found an amazing Inn/Bed and Breakfast/Farmhouse, Lo Rastille, that about 30 of us stayed at the week of the wedding.
It was a great place where we had a grouping of rooms, a patio, a large communal living area, and a large kitchen where Xu cooked up some fabulous meals...
After settling in and enjoying some lovely wine and cheeses on the patio, the ladies powdered our noses and headed out to celebrate our Bride! We went to the fabulous Restaurant Les Buisses which was a little romantic hideaway. We had a tasty aperitife, delicious 4 course meal, champagne, and a little surprise!
Kelly and Me
Vicki, Kristin, and Tina
Beth and Vicki
It begins...
When the hostess found out that we were out celebrating Kelly's impending wedding she helped us set up this little celebration...
Nothing like shirtless French men and a Mustang!
October 7 - We woke up early, to a cold and windy, yet beautiful day, and headed out to the large town-wide market in Carpentras. It was about a 45 minute drive from home base and a spread out flea market along the streets of the city. Too cold to take pictures I guess, because I have none... but Kelly and I walked around with Rick, Kelly Shannon's brother. We had coffee and tea in a little Provencian cafe and walked through the stalls and tables. After lunch we headed back to the Lo Rastille but not before stopping in a few wineries on the way :)
"So then, I put the pork on the grill..." (Ironic given the previous sentence)
New Mexico John learns his nickname
Nutella goes with EVERYTHING!!!
Pastis anyone?
Mom and son, the best veggie cooks I know!!!!
Let the Euchre Tournement begin...Day 1 of 2 and many, many renditions of Simon and Garfunkel merged with Bon Jovi... Oh the fun!
Winning!
October 8 - Yom Kippur - I chose to observe by going to services at a shul in Carpentras, the town we had gone to yesterday for the market. Kelly's mother, Vicki, joined me. Though it took us quite a while to find the synagogue, asking people on the streets was not so helpful as neither of us spoke French. Once there, at 8:30, as we were instructed, we were 2 of 4 people there with no minyan to start services. We sat for quite a while and eventually men started straggling in and services began. Let me just say that following a service, lead all in Hebrew, in a French accent is not an easy task for a girl like me, but I did it!
On our way back to Lo Rastille we stopped to take a few photos. It was very windy which you can't really appreciate from this picture, but I really thought Vicki was going to blow over!
I took an afternoon nap after services, as I do back home during this Holiday. I woke up and helped set up for the evening's festivities. Kelly's father, Bob, a wine collector and her brother, Rick, a Sommelier, assembled 7 of the region's wines, paired with cheeses for a wine tasting that they lead. Not a bad way to break the fast if I do say so myself!
Rick and Bob
Fun ladies!!!
Party People
Double fisting beer and fine wine, that's my girl Kelly!
As for me, I go straight for the bottle...
Oh the many faces of Xu begin...
Classy crew, these guys!
And then the girls
Euchre Tournament de France resumes - Night two does not bode as well for Kel and me, I'm a wee bit tipsy this time and therefore quite distracted though in this picture we all look very focused on the task at hand.
It's not a party unless Xu falls asleep on the couch!
Just a few of the empties from the evening... and this isn't even the wedding, the fun has certainly begun!
October 9 - Wedding Day!!! Kelly, Kelly and I woke up and headed over to the wedding venue, Chateau des Barrenques. What a magical and beautiful place!!!
Photo by Duncan Kerridge the AMAZING and really fun wedding photographer!
Part of our room!
The old river mill
Preparations
I made these flags, per the bride's request, for the guests to hold and wave during the ceremony.
Oh, how graceful we are - I fell going up the stairs of the Chateau and scraped up my arm along the stone wall, while Kelly cut her finger. You can't expect anything less from us, but we are grateful that nothing more happened...
The Ceremony
Here comes the bride... (Photo by Duncan Kerridge)
"That ring only const me $29" (Photo by Duncan Kerridge)
Lavender and birdseed mix thrown by guests
Cocktails
The aftermath of the lavender and birdseed mix... we did come from the apes after all. (Photo by Duncan Kerridge)
Andy and Xu (Oh, if only Andy wasn't sleeping...)
Kelly and Beth
Kelly and John
Vicki, Braden, and Luana
Me and The Kellys Judy and Me!
Cave Man (Photo by Duncan Kerridge)
Kristen and I, aka: Simon and Garfunkel
"Cecelia you're breakin' my heart..."
"Cecelia you're breakin' my heart..."
Katie and Me
My shoes are immediately off, and I need to stand on a chair to be tall enough to photograph with my friends...
It's bustle time
Whatever it takes ladies!
"Ohhh, livin' on a prayer" (Photo by Duncan Kerridge)
Done and done!
Ok, time for some narrative leading up to the next set of pictures... As we arrived to the Chateau earlier in the day, one of the first things we saw, right beside the main building where we were staying, was the pool. I turned to Kelly N., we gave each other an all knowing glance, and said "someone's going in tonight"... Little did we know then that we'd actually be the ones to orchestrate the prank. At some point during the reception Kelly and I were talking to Xu's poker buddies and gently made the suggestion that the groom take the plunge (pun intended). That's all that we needed to do and they took it from there (as we knew they would). BUT, first we had to make it VERY clear that Xu was wearing a custom made suit and it HAD to come off before he went in...
Andy taking a stretch before the attack
On the short walk back toward the main building the guys told him they were taking a picture and they were all going to take their jackets, vests, and ties of, then Rick was able to get his belt back that he loaned Xu by simply asking him. Then as we walked past the building they mobbed him...
Pulled off his pants...
It was quite chilly out that evening...
What good friends, they jumped in too to show support!!!
Andy, really, compression socks, are those necessary???? Hot! Not!
Ahhh the Bride with a towel to the rescue!!!
Xu sought revenge on Rick...
Warming up and drying off inside.
Kelly and I graciously thank the guys for pulling it off! Job well done!
What just happened man?
Oh yeah, she's got this bridesmaid thing!!!
Somehow a neighborhood dog followed us in after the pool ordeal. He wanted love so badly and made himself at home on the couch.
He got the love he was looking for, then Rick tried to bring him outside so we could go to sleep, but he came back in and slept with Chris and Mac that evening.
I'm done!
I have no words for this...
Well maybe ... crack whore??? You know I love ya babe!
October 10 - Today we woke up to a beautiful breakfast in the gazebo at the Chateau.
Everyone gathered around to look at the pictures of Xu going for his Polar Bear Plunge
Charlie rides the St. Bernard while Addie finds someone her own size :)
After a relaxing morning at the Chaeau and some delicious croissants, everyone parted ways except for the few of us who headed back to Lo Rastille to pack up because we were all heading out between 3 and 5am to drive back to Barcelona. Katie and Doug were renting a house in a town about 20 minutes away and they invited us over fir dinner that evening.
This is the cute little town of Sablet
The view from the roof of the house
It doesn't get more European than this
October 11 - At the crack of dawn Kelly and I woke up and hit the road back to Barcelona. Here are a couple of pictures from the road as I was trying, extremely hard, to stay awake and be a good passenger. Unfortunately, I was not so successful but Kelly was a trooper and stayed awake to drive.
Au revoir France ... Hola Spain
What an amazing trip it was! Full of fun, adventure and friends. Thank you so much Kelly for being a great travel partner to laugh with, get lost with, find our way back with, toast with, and have an unforgettable journey with!
2 comments:
Wow! What a great trip! Congratulations to Kelly and Xu, they chose such a beautiful place for their wedding. Loved reading about your adventures with Kelly and seeing the pictures!!
What an amazing experience!!! Darcie great job!
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