The Frog in the Well - Barcelona: Natural Light, Sunlight and Bright Light

Ok, so I thought that we were pretty tired after the long first day. I may have underestimated how much ground we covered on day two. When we got back to the room we were all exhausted. I don't remember what time it was, but I do remember that we woke up this morning at 11:40! For those of you that know me well, you know that I don't have the sleep-in gene. Well, I guess that I found it in Barcelona!

When you start your day at the half way point, you generally have to adjust your schedule, but you know what, I thought of it differently. If we stayed out until 11, we would have 10 hrs to do a lot of stuff! I was thinking about that after day two. If we were at home and decided to do something for the day, we would likely pick one thing and do it. But when we are traveling, we tend to do 4 or 5 things in the same day. Point being, I think I am way more efficient traveling than I am at home!

We switched things up today, and we walked up La Rambla the opposite direction of the market. I know, I know, I did say that we would go there everyday.

What do you do with olives to go??

As you head northwest on La Rambla, it slowly starts to get less touristy. At the head of the street is a great placa called Placa de Catalunya. We found a great little cafe called Cafe Zurich (really? of all the names you can think of for your cafe in Barcelona, and you pick Zurich? genius.). The highlight at this spot was the fresh squeezed orange juice. They have this awesome machine called the Zumex. I have been told by both Bronwyn and Fintan that they would drink orange juice everyday if we had a Zumex, but who wouldn't?

Today was quite warm, it had to be 27 with humidity. We were walking along the posh Passeig de Gracia towards a couple of the works of the brilliant Antonio Gaudi, when we decided to cut into a shop to cool down. The crazy thing is, I am pretty sure they had the heat on!! It was so freaking hot in there that Fin and I had to go outside to cool off! We were sitting on the steps by the door, and we could feel the waves of heat pushing out into the street. I swear that if that store didn't have its doors open, it would have only been 18 outside.

While Fin and I were waiting on the steps outside the store, we witnessed something very rare. The blind leading the blind!

Our first attraction of the day was Gaudi's Casa Batllo. This is a block of flats that were commissioned by the wealthy Josep Battlo. The building is on a very posh street, and was completed in 1906. The outside facade gives you a glimpse of the world you will see inside. The common belief is that the interior was inspired by the sea, and that the roof has the back of a dragon.

Facade of Gaudi's Casa Batllo the adorns the posh Passeig de Gracia.

The first thing that came to mind was a theatrical mask.

Good view of the Dragon's Back.

The light well was design to bring optimal light into the Casa, and it also assisted in airflow throughout the building.

Main Drawing Room.

Gaudi came from a long line of iron workers. This is on the banister running up the stairs as you enter the Casa.

All of the stained glass and furniture were designed by Gaudi. There are no straight edges anywhere in the building.

Mushroom shaped fireplace in Batllo's office.

Good example of the curved walls, doors and ceilings.

Amazing lamp in the main drawing room.

Those small handle-like openings were designed by Gaudi for air flow.

B loves all of the "B" for Barcelona stuff. Apparently it makes her feel important.

The awesome chimneys.

After our visit at Casa Battlo, we had a great tapas lunch across the street at a place called Tapa Tapa. Just down the street from Tapa Tapa was another Gaudi building called Casa Mila ,or La Pedrera (The Stone Quarry). Apparently this was the last project that he worked on before turning his focus to his crown jewel, the Sagrada Familia. We honestly could not have hit this place at a better time. It was one hour before closing time, and the sun was setting on the Barcelona skyline. The apartment on the inside that you tour was underwhelming, but the rooftop terrace and the chimneys, was something pretty magical.

Interior courtyard of Casa Mila.

Entrance from the inside courtyard of Casa Mila.

The next collection of pictures are from the rooftop. This was a pretty amazing 45 mins or so that we spent on the roof as the sun set.

Exterior of Casa Mila.

This isn't a great pic, but the story is cool. The guy on the left is an artist and he made a sketch of the man while he was working on his computer. He walked over and gave it to the man. The man tried to pay him, and he didn't seem like he wanted the money. Pretty cool.

Our final stop of the day was a return to the base of the Palau Nactional Museum for the sounds and sights of the Font Magica. The show is about 15 mins and is choreographed to music.