Adventure #20: Telling time

I was a little disappointed that the sundial was off.

Now that I think of it, they probably don't adjust for daylights savings.

Adventure #19: Meeting Fellow Black Americans

Being an American "black"girl travelling outside of the country, it isn't often I encounter one of my own.  I've encountered many Americans but I don't think I have ever met any of my African American sisters abroad.

 

Well, I can't say that anymore.

These two ladies were standing behind us in line at Sagrada Familia, one hailing from New York and the other from Philly.  It was so refreshing to talk "American" for a few brief minutes in line.

I think I creeped them out a little though waiting for them to pay just to get a picture with them.
I've got to work on my social skills.

Adventure #18: Blues in Barcelona

 

One of things I know about myself is that melancholy things make me happy.

I don't know why, but I find what I will loosely term a meditation on sadness restorative.

There is something about blues music that gets me.

I suppose it's the authenticity, the rawness of it.

It's like an expression all of one's hurt, so vulnerable, it is immune to judgement.

It's like what I feel when I go parking garage dancing.

The feeling of aliveness that comes from being completely immersed in the moment you are creating, without judging what it is or what it isn't.

Just being.

 

We went to this place called Rien de Rien in Barcelona where my old roommate, Tetiana, used to work as a cocktail waitress. 

They have live blues music every night (and amazing espresso martinis); we went twice.

The musicians remembered her,so we got to socialize a bit with them while they were on a break.

This is a picture of me with bass player/singer who is from Zimbabwe (singing American blues in Barcelona).  He referred to himself as my doobie brother..

Very fun and very talented guy.

 

 

Cory, me and Tetiana.

Tetiana always make this sexy face whenever she takes pictures, but she didn't do it this time.

My best attempt at it is below.

 



I just look like I am crossing my eyes and eating a lemon.

Sexy never works for me.

 



Adventure #12: The Todo Todo

I was disappointed that not a single Filipino joined me or even really knew what I was talking about.
This is for my girl, Dianne, and all my filipino peeps who dig the line dances.

Dianne's family used to have big parties every year for Christmas/New Years/various holidays.

All the aunties would gather in the living room and do line dances together and I would watch intently and shuffle my feet around until I got it right.

Crystal Almazan, your dancing was such an inspiration to me!

So, Dianne, enjoy my vaguely remembered Todo Todo!
Sorry the video is so short.
I just couldn't bear to continue recording incorrect line dancing!
(And I really can't get over how much I remind myself of my mom!)

Adventure #17: Rocking Horse

So, as interesting as the sights are from the hop on/hop off bus,  I was falling sleep.

We stopped off at Los Glories (i think), this outdoor mall for some recharging.

This rocking horse was in the middle of the food court and I just couldn't not ride it.

At first, I felt a little awkward being a grown woman, in a dress, climbing onto a children's ride.

But once I started rocking and closed my eyes and felt the love of the sun and caress of the breeze on my skin, it became transcendent.

Kids have the best stuff.

I wish that adults encouraged each other to be as free as they allow small children to be.

 

Adventure #16: Hop On/Hop Off Bus

A very easy way to see a new city is the hop on/hop off bus.  It's basically a shuttle service that takes you around to the major attractions and through the rest of the city where the real people live.

Sitting on the open second deck on a perfect day was really a slice of heaven.

I even put on some of my favorite music to create a soundtrack effect (mainly because the informational track was putting me to sleep) and it made the experience that much more rich.

Complete sensory overload.

I was much happier than the face below portrays.

 

A quick shot in front of La Pedrera, a building by Gaudi.

I seriously wonder if Tim Burton is at all inspired by his work.

 



 

 

Another Gaudi house, La Casa Batllo.  I can only imagine how amazing it was inside.

Adventure#15: The Marilyn Monroe

Here is the part of the trip where I became a total pain in the butt for my travel companion.

As we were walking, we happened to pass over a metro vent.

My skirt gives a little action and of course, my little brain screams "Picture!"

(I have to get them  how I can.  139 is a loooong way off)

Insert camera into Cory's hands and off to pose.

Check the picture.

"Um, you think you could get me closer?"

Check the picture.

"Um, you think you could get even closer?"

Check the picture.

Would I be a complete jerk if I keep asking him?  Probably.  Fine, Quiana.

So, here is the Marilyn Monroe series.

Perhaps, my next friend who gets married will pick a fuller skirt...

 

Adventure #14: Ice Cream Cone

Nothing quite complements a long day of sightseeing like an ice cream cone to go.

 

Even better with a friend.

Ice cream cone licking sure makes for some weird faces. 

Adventure #13: Sagrada Familia

Absolutely incredible!

Sagrada Familia is like a cathedral meets Beetlejuice.

I am so glad that I saw so many traditional cathedrals before entering Sagrada Familia.

It really enabled me to see Gaudi's style contrasted against something traditional.

Sagrada Familia is a cathedral that Gaudi was not able to finish.

The nativity side was done by Gaudi, but the opposite side, the Passion side, is now

being completed by another artist with a complementary style.

The use of light and shadow is absolutely breathtaking.

I took a long stationary seat in the chapel section to take it all in. 

There was so much to notice.

Then I went outside and had another long sit looking at the Nativity Side.

I wish I had gotten the audioguide because evidently it gave listeners a bit of a scavenger hunt, giving them things to find in the architectural sculpture.

It was wonderful even without the guide and I highly recommend to anyone visiting Barcelona.

 

 

 

Even the structure of the building shapes the light in amazing ways.

 

 

Cool door. I am enjoying not smiling in every picture.  Can you tell?

 

For those who were dying to see some armpit.

 

The view from inside the tower.

For $3 more, one can take an elevator to the tower and see some beautiful views of the sprawling city.   Well worth it, although I imagine it would be rewarding to climb it.

 

What is the truth?

Green chiffon is classic, eternal good taste.

 

 



Adventure #11: Practicing Good Dental Hygiene

SURPRISE!

I am brushing my teeth!
Well that shouldn't be a surprise.  I do that often.
But I thought maybe some emotion would make a better shot?

Adventure #10: Karaoke!

Carlsey is such an amazing photographer.

She captured some pretty wacky moments that night.

This is a shot of me as I am perusing the song list so I can kick off the singing of karaoke on this special night of nights.

I was so excited to see Inikamoze's" Here Comes the Hotstepper," but, there seemed to be technical difficulties with the song.  I sang the wrong words for a while and then decided to abandon ship.

That's when I knew.
I wanted to save her for last, but  it was meant for Proud Mary to rear her glorious head
 and get the party started.

What ensues is utter genius or madness, however you choose to view it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apvc-bYg4Tw&feature=share

Now that I have watched this a few times, I have decided it is utter madness and that if I am going to force people to listen to me karaoke, I should invest in some voice lessons.

Adventure #9: Hula!

This was one of the most incredible nights of my life.

Amazing people sharing my 34th bday with me!

I got a hula hoop for my birthday from Juludeed and here is a photo of me breaking it in.

Or, at the very least holding it and laughing a lot.