Postcards from Barcelona. I really wish we stayed longer, I was looking forward to seeing all the Gaudí work around the city. We spent the day with a mass and after split up into groups to go see the Sagrada Família. We also got to cut the long line up since we had our pilgrim passes and a cut price as well! Very, very fortunate! The outside was big, and it looked very neutral from a quick glance. But when I got inside through the doors filled with a raised typeface I was struck by how colourful and unexpected it all was. I was expecting another classical looking interior, with a lot of old wood and Saints decorating the walls. But this was so different. I felt as if I was inside Dr. Seuss's book or Willy Wonka. The colours, the lighting, the height, the shapes, etc.

I ended up sitting in one corner and even sketching in my notebook, and I never sketch, but something prompt me to start. I wanted to remember the details not through photographs but from being there at the moment, in the present. They are very ugly sketches but I remember how happy I was sitting there. I checked out the Crypt and viewed the sketches and plans. I stepped into the gift shop briefly but there were too many people. There was also a display of how he used organic forms, plants, nature, honeycombs, etc. for his inspiration and for technical architectural terms as well. I could write on forever but it would have to be more of an essay than a blog post.

We then took the Metro (I was so happy using their ticket machines, so clever, and in 3 or 4 different languages, not difficult to use at all) to a stop nearby Park Güell. Then we had to walk up. The walk up was the most interesting, it was very, very hot! Not as hot as Madrid but I was soaking. And Barcelona has some very interesting escalators because they were outdoor escalators! I had never seen anything like it and loved it. :) But the hill was so steep and the heat just made the walk even funner. ;) We arrived at the Park Güell and it felt as if we were in Arizona or Mexico, the colours, the plants, the dirt. It always feels like a different world when you step into Gaudí's masterpieces. We walked through quickly, the view of the city as seen in the postcard photo above was such a nice view. We ended at the entrance actually. The mosaics were so creative, I want my future home to be decorated with it. There are two buildings at the entrance of the park, I only went into one and it was a souvenir shop but the lighting inside was also so nice. We also quickly walked by the colonnaded footpath.

The other group who decided not to go to the park ended up going to Las Ramblas instead. At first I was contemplating going as well but decided not to in the end. I didn't feel like shopping and really wanted to see as much art as I could instead. I did get to see a bit of it in the end, but it was mostly souvenir booths and random acts. We ended up at the bottom by the Monument a Colom.

I hope one day I get to go back to Spain on more relaxed sort of trip. I did get to see a lot during this WYD pilgrimage, but one day in some places was not enough. There are still the Güell Pavilions, Casa Calvet, Porta Miralles, Casa Batlló, Casa Milà, etc. And also Madrid, it felt so big, even though we ended up going down the same street like 5 times and running into three different H&M's like 3 minutes away from each other.

I don't know why I started writing so much about Barcelona. I was supposed to write that today spent it up North in the library for 5 hours working on posters and other nonsense. It felt like I did nothing but I guess I finished something, even if it was a little. Tomorrow yet more design work and some fun (cupcake baking/decorating). Then waiting for a response (e-mail) for Thursday. If no response, more design work (environmental). Friday exploring with C, environmental meeting and then movie night with M.

I had my interview today, it took 2.5 hours to get there, maybe a bit less, like 20 minutes less. ;) Still far. It had begun to snow a bit and since the morning of course my hair was not co-operating. Really? The days I need you to be on my side you are not. The people I interviewed with were very nice and down to earth and loved the studio! Unfortunately, it didn't go through, but I did realize I really like making invitations and I need to make a light box. ;) It's just time to try again and work even harder. It's hard to find a design job, and it's even harder to find a design job that suits your style. This whole month has been filled with design work. Woke up at 7:30 AM today much better than 2 PM and now it is 12:45 AM and I don't want to wake up at some ridiculous time so off to bed. The little one also has her exams this week! Wow so grown up!