Aluminum Can Artisan

Click here to watch the video.

Barcelona, like any great city, has its fair share of a variety of artists, like the dulcimer players I mentioned in August of 2005.

At the Gothic Quarter, we came across Isabel fashioning, from aluminum cans, small ashtrays. Last year there was a handful of these people and this summer many more seem to have learned this simple art.

A myriad of tourists are buying this item. For you parents out there, you might want to reconsider the old fashioned lemonade stand!

Anyway, just click on the photo or the link and meet Isabel.

Barcelona Streets Artists Playing the Dulcimer

Dulcimer Street Artists
Barcelona, 2005

The Barcelona street artists in this video are playing a wonderful song on the dulcimer. See if you recognize it!

The location of this particular duo is on carre de Santa Lucia in the Gothic Quarter.

Also, this is my first time videoblogging. I had a dickens of a time getting the hang of compressing a video.

Let me know how I did and if you enjoyed it.

Click HERE for the video.

Thanks

Here goes!!!!

View the dulcimer street artists in barcalunacy's Barcelona’s Street Artists FLCKR photoset.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 License.

La Sagrada Familia

If you've been to Barcelona chances are that you've seen La Sagrada Familia and your camera and everyone else's including mine has taken a picture and/or a dozen or more.

What fascinates me about La Sagrada Familia, designed by Antoni Gaudi, is that construction began around 1883 and has not finished. I heard the target date for completion would be in the neighborhood of 2025. But who knows?

The entire construction of La Sagrada Familia is funded by donations. Imagine that!

For some reason, while the church is fascinating in itself, I am more intrigued by the large cranes used in the construction surrounding the church. To me, the cranes appear to be dancing to silent music. I am overwhelmed at what man can accomplish. So ... I chose to focus on this aspect of La Sagrada Familia.

I hope you see what I see.

Enjoy!


La Sagrada Familia, 2005

From the 7th story of a rooftop taken with a telephoto lens ... about 5 miles away. I just love the way the two apartments buildings act as a frame.


La Sagrada Familia, 2005

Personally, I don't feel the above picture is good, but I like the way the building converges. A strong, wide angle lens would be helpful. Oh well, I will try again.


La Sagrada Familia ... a new addition, 2005


La Sagrada Familia, 2005


La Sagrada Familia, 2005, ... a favorite of mine.


La Sagrada Familia, 2005, another favorite of mine.

La Sagrada Familia is an awesome structure in my eyes. Some people I have met consider the Cathedral to be an eyesore and gaudi-sh ( sorry for the word, I couldn't resist) in design. However, just for the experience and history of the Church, I regard this touristy attraction as a MUST SEE.

For more historical information on La Sagrada Familia, just click on the following links:

http://www.sagradafamilia.org/
http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/albums-en/gaudi-sagrada-familia/

Elephant English Books Shop

Elephant English Books Shop, Barcelona, 2005
"A Warm Welcome"
@all rights reserved

Need audio or books in English? Then the Elephant Book Shop is the place to go! What is very nice about the store is that it is opened 7 days a week, has thousands of used and new paperback books, and you are greeted with a warm smile.

I discovered the Elephant Book Shop about 3 years ago, just a few months after it opened. The shop is located in a great part of Barcelona called Poble Sec and is a wonderful place to meet ex-pats from all over the world, as well as the locals.

Elephant English Books Shop, Barcelona,2005
"A Work in Progress!"

@all rights reserved

The book shop is a "work in progress", constantly evolving with hundreds of used books arriving daily. They plan to provide computer services and books on CD. WOW!!

Elephant English Books Shop, Barcelona, 2005
"Just Like Home"

@all rights reserved

You can relax at a table, where pop, tea, homemade cookies and other goodies are sold to help you feel right at home. You can even kibitz with other patrons who have a wealth of knowledge of Barcelona to share with you especially if you plan to live here.

Elephant English Books Shop, Barcelona, 2005
"A Friendly Smile"

@all rights reserved

But most importantly you will be met, greeted and welcomed by Frank, one of the Elephant's owners. Frank is kind, courteous, helpful, and the REAL reason to visit the store.

Elephant English Books Shop, Barcelona, 2005
"The Busy Bee"

@all rights reserved

Frank is here somewhere LOOKING just for YOU!!!

Disclaimer: I am just a patron, love the store and its friendliness, but if you're interested in any further details than you can call Frank at:

93 443 0594 and or

email him: fsirett@goodbooks.grupouni2.com

Sitges

Sitges is a coastal town about 40 minutes by train south of Barcelona. It's a popular resort area with apartments overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. On a whim, I went late to this beautiful city. I hope to return there once the influx of tourists leave and take more pictures.

Sitges Coastline, 2005

A blue sky, calm waters, and great weather.

Sitges, 2005
"A Moment of Bobbed Contemplation"

No sooner had I taken the coastline picture, I saw a man relaxing on a bench. His composed posture, I felt, captured the essence of this calming and peaceful day. His head kept bobbing up and down, and some strange noises came from his being. Unbeknownst to him, I managed to also record a movie of him. To bad the blog cannot show this feature.

Sitges, 2005, "Coastline Homes"

Along the coastline you see building after building with beautiful flowers.

Sitges, 2005, "Enough Said"

I just couldn't resist.

Sitges, 2005, "A Clean Wall"

Many of the walls are decorated with ceramic plaques. This one was a must, more so for what it says:

"Don't dirty the walls.
Cleanliness is an important sign of civilization."


This is my first attempt at uploading. I will be refining this site as I learn to use the "Hello" feature. Anyway, I am very excited to see how this whole blog will look ... so here goes ... publishing now!!