Changing Plans Worked in My Favor

On Thursday, October 24th, we headed to Plaza de Cataluña to catch a direct bus that drives straight to the top of Tibidabo Hill (Bus T2A).  After searching around the square without any luck of locating the bus, we then finally sought help at the Tourist Information booth.  We found out during winter months the bus only runs on Fridays and Saturdays.  Bobby and I contemplated for awhile about getting as far as we could by public transportation and then hiking the rest of the way to the top.  The two girls in the booth advised us that it was not a good idea and very steep (especially lugging up two little ones).  In addition, it would be 3 transfers (metro, tram, and then funicular).  After deciding that we did not feel like making such an effort, we headed to the center of the square to allow Amelie and Liam to chase pigeons.  Well, actually Liam escaped his stroller while we were finishing up our conversation and had already begun chasing the pigeons before we technically gave them permission. :)  

Being at the top of La Rambla we decided to go for a stroll while enjoying the nice weather.  We decided to walk by the Güell Palace since we were nearby and it was something I wanted to see before we left Barcelona.  After deliberating with Bobby for a while about whether we wanted to pay to go inside, we decided that Amelie (who was free) and I would go inside while Bobby and Liam would do something else for an hour and a half.  It was not our original intention to split up, and I was very hesitant about spending 12 Euros for the tour.  However, I am very glad that Bobby encouraged me to go ahead.  As I stated in a previous post, I have been really interested in architecture especially regarding to Gaudi.  

The tour included a free audio guide for me, and kid version for Amelie.  It was awesome to have descriptions and details in English as we walked around the palace.  Before we took the tour, I had read that one of the special features of this palace built in 1888 was that it had stables in the basement.  In addition, it had an entrance and an exit that the carriages were intended to use which can be seen in the picture below.

Amelie and I were very interested in the basement stables so that is where we headed first.  The round mushroom shaped pillars were important for allowing the horses to move around without getting hurt.   I will not bore you with all of the details, but we loved our experience touring the palace together.  Amelie loved pointing out everything fancy and I enjoyed the dialogue about Gaudi and his designs.  I felt like by doing this tour I could justify not going inside any of his other works.  This was the most cost effective way to learn about Gaudi and his works in my opinion.

This stainglass window was designed by Gaudi with inspiration of the Catalan flag.  

We have noticed the Catalan flags being flown from balconies all over the city.
We had even thought about bring home a Catalan Independence Flag as our representation of our time in Barcelona, but we never found one small enough that would make sense for us to carry around with us.
In the end, we actually didn't buy anything in case you were curious. 

We both loved seeing the pictures of how the rooms looked when inhabited.

Another favorite part of our experience was the roof.  On Casa Batlló, there are a number of really neat chimneys.  I was a little bummed that I didn't get to see them.  However, when I stepped out onto the roof at the palace I was delightfully surprised that there were amazing chimneys!  The sun was setting over the city as we walked around rooftop.  We had so much fun looking up close, admiring the mosaic tile work for each chimney.  The sunset over the city was also beautiful.  Overall, this was a super fun experience!

National Art Museum of Catalonia can be seen in the distance.

After about an hour and a half, we met up with Bobby and Liam.  Our meeting spot was the McDonalds on La Rambla.  You will never guess where we ate for dinner. :)  Dinner was fun as we both shared of our fun experiences from the hour before.  Bobby and Liam had walked to the harbor area and through the local market, La Boqueria, to munch on food.  We ate at the outside tables directly on the Rambla so it was also fun eating at dark when everything gets busy.

So, a change of plans ended up working in our favor today!  I am continually reminded how important it is to be flexible and to go with the flow.  It is a little against my nature as I am a planner and like it when things work exactly the way that I plan them.  This trip has been good for me in that I have had to relax on of my stronger personality traits.  I still have to work on my attitude at times when things are going amuck, but one way to improve is to practice.

Girls Evening Out: Organ Recital at St. Giles' Cathedral

Bobby is the adventurous one of our pair so he is usually the one that will explore new things.  However, on June 2nd, with Liam sick and Bobby not as interested in an organ recital; Amelie and I headed out on the town together.  We started by riding a double decker bus.  While we waited at the bus stop, she educated me on how to place the money into the box and wait for a ticket from the bus driver (since Bobby always does this and I just usually hop on.)  I was glad she is so observant because she instructed me accurately.  We rode at the top in the front so we had the best view.

We made it into town and even got off at the right stop.  We found a little Cafe and ate Pesto Pasta.  It was nice allowing her to be herself and talk and talk and talk.  I am often very distracted with Liam and realize that I need to spend more focused quality time with just her.  Before I know it she won't want to spend quality time with me and the thought of that makes me sad.  

After our dinner we strolled up (as in up the hill) the Royal Mile to St. Giles' Cathedral.  The bishop was only letting in members of the congregation for the recital so we felt special not being a tourist, but being there for an event.  She picked out our seat and we had about 10 minutes to spare before the recital began.  We made silly faces together and took pictures with my phone.  

She became a little fidgety after the first song so I talked about how songs tell a story.  For the rest of the recital, she waved her hands around like she was conducting or she was whispering in my ear about what she thought was happening (they are running now, they are sad, they are happy, etc.)  I absolutely LOVED the recital (does this mean I am officially old?).  The beauty of the old church with stain glass, the echoes of the grand sounds of the organ, etc...A-MAZING! The recital was by Malcolm Sim who has a pretty impressive resume.  I found it interesting that he recently played in Paris in St. Sulpice which was was of my favorite churches.

After the recital, we sat down for ice cream.  Amelie's perfect end to a fun evening (well the ice cream made it fun for her!) 

Our only hitch in the evening was that we only missed the bus while standing at the bus stop.  You have to actually flag down the bus like you would hail a cab, otherwise the bus keeps moving.  A man came up to the bus stop shortly before our bus arrived and was asking me if he could take pictures of my feet.  Thankfully, we were able to run a bit and the bus stopped for us.  I was apologetic and the bus driver was not too happy with me. I learned my lesson:  Do not under any circumstances let anything distract you while waiting for the bus.