His Eyes Make Me Whys

Continuing series dedicated to the street artists of Barcelona and this one is no exception.

Over the few years, I have seen some of La Rambla’s street artists come and go.

I’ve liked many for their fun, artistry, creativity and good humor. And others? Oh well, you fill in the blanks.

On this particular day, after passing the popular artists, I came across this hombre.
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He was sitting there, rather regal, alone, and reading a black, wordless book.

A Lonely and Reflective Miguel de Unamuno
La Rambla, Barcelona, 2006

He was not pleased that we were taking pictures of him at first but our attentiveness, kindness and politeness won him over.

His name is Claudio and the character he portrays is Miguel de Unamuno.

He told us conspiracy stories like when the Lliceu theatre burned down and the how’s and why’s to the fire.

He reminisced of this famous street’s changes and how new rules and regulations in the near future will continue to transform this famous street.

Anyway, as he spoke, I was able to take many, MANY pictures but the more I photographed him the more curioser and CURIOUSER I became of what was behind those dark, mysterious glasses.

So I asked him if he would be so kind to show me his eyes. He did.

His Eyes Make Me Whys
La Rambla, Barcelona, 2006

POW!! His eyes made me wonder and ask myself about the “what”, “when”, where”, “how” and “whys” of his life, and what I could learn.

A few days later I went back to La Rambla to ask him more questions and much to my disappointment, he was not there.

Oh, well, another day.

As I look back to that day and write this noticia, I felt for just a brief moment, that when our eyes met, I held his soul.

P.S. I would like to say that I rarely do touch ups of my photos. Heaven knows I probably should, but I do crop, lighten and burn when necessary and for me, these photos are a novice photographer’s dream. The pictures are the camera’s reality taken through my eyes.

I invite you to click the link below for additional photos on Miguel and other artists on FLICKR.

View barcalunacy's Barcelona’s Street Artists FLCKR photoset.

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Her Bags are Packed

And for all you guys, and maybe girls, the curvaceous, flamboyant Lady in Red is ready to go!

Grateful Victim
La Rambla, Barcelona, 2006

Her name is Claudia and she’s been a street performer on La Rambla for about 6 to 8 years, as different characters.

She has a crowd every moment and constant thunderous laughter is heard everywhere.

She’s exuberant, stylish, loud and funny.

Buoyant Lady in Red
La Rambla, Barcelona, 2006

Look her up and be tickled with delight.

Be sure to view the QuickTime movie.

I invite you to click the link below for additional photos on the Lady in Red and other street artists on FLICKR.

View barcalunacy's Barcelona’s Street Artists FLCKR photoset.

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

Enjoy!

Tramp_ing ...

down La Rambla

To have a good time in Barcelona, YOU have to walk down La Rambla.

Street Artists are everywhere as they have been for years, entertaining you with their sometimes ingenious creativity, good spirit and questionable fun.

Some are good, some are very VERY good, and some are just plain plain.

Here is one of my special favorites.

His name is Jose and he is

A Happy Tramp
La Rambla, Barcelona, 2006

Charlie Chaplin’s alter ego, The Tramp!

Jose transmits the sadness, humble, gentlemanly like qualities that were characteristic of the Tramp in a way that is better than the original.

A Flabbergasted Tramp
La Rambla, Barcelona, 2006

Charlie Chaplin would be proud.

I love the REAL person behind this character and I know you will too.

So, when you are on Las Ramblas, I urge you to look for Barcelona’s Tramp AND

While you're at it, why don’t you LIGTHEN your pocket and fill HIS.

I invite you to click the link below for additional photos on FLICKR.

View barcalunacy's Barcelona’s Street Artists FLCKR photoset.

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

The SIGHN of time

In August of 2006, I wrote a Notice of a Rebirth, and showed a photo of a flyer posted on doorways announcing what future work would be done in and around Plaça Gal-la Placidia, in the barrio Gràcia.

The park and the street will temporarily house the businesses from the Llibertat market as the market undergoes reconstruction.

I remember just a few weeks ago when the park was quiet, peaceful and pretty.

Where people came to meet one another and,

Placa Gal-la Placidia, Barcelona, 2006

Exchange greetings.

Where little groups came together and

Placa Gal-la Placidia, Barcelona, 2006

Maybe talked about events of the day.

Where you might've cuddled up

Placa Gal-la Placidia, Barcelona, 2006

With your honey.

Or just ordinary, everyday folks, having plain fun,

Placa Gal-la Placidia, Barcelona, 2006

Enjoying a day with their children.

Oh, yes! I mustn't forget,

Placa Gal-la Placidia, Barcelona, 2006

God's little creatures.

The day has come and preparations have begun in the plaça.

Placa Gal-la Placidia, Barcelona, 2006

Workers busy.

Placa Gal-la Placidia, Barcelona, 2006

Erecting a big, Big sign.

The street next to the park that once hosted lively festivities,

Placa Gal-la Placidia, Barcelona, 2006

Is now separated from the park with

Placa Gal-la Placidia, Barcelona, 2006

Green netting that surrounds the plaça.

It is now barren and lifeless.

Placa Gal-la Placidia, Barcelona, 2006

Much like this.

And so,

For me and for others, I sigh ...

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A Holiday with a Twist

Today's Columbus Day in the United States, celebrating Christopher Columbus’ arrival to the Americas.

It is also a holiday in España.

This morning I took my daily walk in the barrio (neighborhood) where everything - and I mean EVERYTHING - is closed, with the exception, of course, of cafés and restaurants.

I stopped by the local kiosk to ask what holiday we were celebrating and if there were any festas in the plaças so that I might take pictures.

Xavi, the kiosquero, explained that today Spain also celebrates Columbus’ arrival to the Americas and that no festivities are scheduled as this is a Spanish holiday.

Hmm, I thought. Businesses closed, schools closed, banks closed and no celebration. I couldn’t figure it out!

So I asked again, just to be sure, and he repeated: “No celebration here. This is a Spanish holiday.”

As I walked away, perplexed, a rush of embarrassment overcame me.

So, I began thinking. Columbus’ voyage to the New World was financed by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, Spain’s royals at that time.

Hmm. Catalunya has a strong wish, burning desire and a great want to be independent of Spain.

Catalonians have written, demonstrated and voted their aspiration to be autonomous. They are first and foremost, Catalans and not Spanish.

Passionate Protest, Barcelona, 2006

Oh my! I should have known better: Spain is different.

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Yours, Artificially

Walking down La Rambla on any day is a treat to behold.

There are many characters, sightseers, and, of course, the flower vendors.

Some days the beautiful flora is over-powering in its scent.

La Rambla, Barcelona, 2006.

No matter. I, like many, welcome it.

Many times you see couples, young and old, stop to look and make purchases.

Should or shouldn’t I get this or that is the tune of the day.

Like this couple.

La Rambla, Barcelona, 2006

Probably:
She said: “Hmm, I hope he gets me a sweet smelling rose."

Probably:
He said: “Gee, I should get her this “felt” daisy? That would last and LAST a long time."

What do you think?

Enjoy!!

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Blue skies

Barcelona is happy to show YOU one of her many fine days.


Yes, this sky and these clouds are purely Barcelona.

And a gift for YOU!

Enjoy!!

Second-Chance

For the books you didn’t read the first time, in October, Barcelona’s book vendors host a fair, to sell YOU used books.

Tents are set up along the Paseo de Gràcia, an upscale street, comparable to Chicago’s Michigan Avenue.

Second Chance

Paseo de Gràcia, Barcelona, 2006

When you finish nosing around from tent after tent, block after block, give your feet a chance to rest comfy seats, such as the one below.

Read, Relax, Recuperate

Paseo de Gràcia, Barcelona, 2006

Or, You can eat at one of the many restaurants along Paseo de Gràcia, as these people shown below are doing.

TXAPELA restaurant

Paseo de Gràcia, Barcelona, 2006

And speaking of restaurants, I have to recommend the TXAPELA, a Basque restaurant, behind the book tents, as shown in the picture.

The TXAPELA is a great place to try tapas, which are small portions of food. It’s an excellent entry point for tasting the local cuisine and not expensive at all.

In MY book, the TXAPELA is a must DO for eating and I am very stingy in offering my opinions.

Come on! You can see yourself here, can’t you?

Whatever you decide to do, October is a month to visit Barcelona and partake of its many activities, as well as the weather.

And when you come,

Enjoy!!

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After the fall

Ever complain of a bad hair day?

Did that Star of India pimple ever make a head way?

Did you ever wake-up where your tummy left the bed before the rest of your body?

Might these be some examples of what a depressing day might be for you?

Well, sometimes, there comes along someone or something that just makes these or other problems we might have look ridiculous and silly.

This something is an adorable puppy whose “pinned”, but not pinned down.

“Pinned” puppy_1, Barcelona, 2006

“Ouch!!

Now don’t you feel like your life is not that bad after all?

Pinned puppy's story is that he simply jumped off the roof of a building.

How tall was the building?

I don’t know.

But no matter!

You can see the extent of the damage and the amount of surgical work done.

I was very surprised.

Pinned puppy didn’t move because he couldn’t move.

Not only were his movements hampered by the pins but pain medication.

But, again, no matter!

He was a happy puppy.

He wagged his tail and greeted us.

I toyed and toyed with the idea of taking a photo.

Strangely enough, I felt as if I was invading his privacy.

Anyway, I took the above photo and then, hurriedly, I took another one.

As I looked through my viewfinder, I was surprised that the woman petting “pinned” puppy, had a cast on HER arm.

“Pinned” puppy_2, Barcelona, 2006

“hmmm! Did she also ….

Nahhhh!

No matter.

For now, they were two, in one private moment.

We left.

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Not ALL roads lead to and from Rome!

As you can see from the map, all roads in the center of the city lead to and from the Plaça de Catalunya, the heart of Barcelona to other neighborhoods and provinces that you’ve dreamt of visiting.


The photo below was taken with a wide angle lens. However, the plaça is very LARGE, that I was only able to do it one-quarter-justice.

Ahem!

Moving right along.

Plaça de Catalunya, Barcelona, 2006

But, no matter, I believe you can get a sense of how immense the area is. No?

In and around the plaça you will find many different types of locals, street performers, the Hard Rock Café, McDonalds, Burger King, many, many cafés, restaurants, shops, department stores, etc.

Plaça de Catalunya, Barcelona, 2006

And, of course,

Wild and Pesky Tourist, Barcelona, 2006

those wild and pesky tourists.

Enjoy!!

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Dali Reborn?

Passing through the Gothic quarter the other day, I saw through a gated opening a courtyard with a big, beautiful, fun and perfectly shaped egg - a Salvador Dali trademark.

You see his boundless creativity and sense of frenzy in his outrageous paintings, wacky sculptures, bizarre architecture, offensive films and other forms of art media.

I took this picture because the egg was a nice surprise to my eyes and flanked by two brilliant red banners. I then waited for a subject to show scale.

Barcelona, 2006

Click HERE to resize.

When I sifted through the various shots I had taken, I came across this photo that, while not very sharp, shows a person whose features are similar to that of the poster behind the subject, especially the downward turned mouth, and nose structure.

What do YOU think?

Barcelona, 2006

Click HERE to resize.

Just to be on the safe side, I researched his bio on the internet and I found he had not sired any children. You never know; she might have been his child.

So! I am a dreamer.

Dali’s permanent exhibition of over 700 pieces appears at La Sala Guell, Real Circulo Artistico on the street Arcs 5, Barcelona, where this photo was taken. Here is the telephone number if you’re interested for hours and fees. Tel: 933 181 820

Below is a picture of a pdf file that tells about La Sala.

Click HERE to resize.

I have yet to see Dali’s works, but I plan to go to Figueras, a city that houses a Dali museum and where he died and Cadaques, a fishing village where he had another home built in a unique and strange design.

Enjoy!!

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The quiet before the storm

For the past few years, Spain has been experiencing severe periods of drought and change of weather not unlike many other part of the world.

So it was with welcome relief, that a few days ago it rained like I’ve not seen it rain before in the four years I’ve been here.

I just had to take the following pictures because I haven’t seen cloud formations like these nor such gray skies in my time here.

Barcelona, 2006

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Barcelona, 2006

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What intrigued was that the clouds appeared to harmonize, with great precision, this newly erected building.

The weather reminded me of the Midwest in the states famous for its tornados.

Anyway, on the same day I took these photos, a tornado DID hit Galicia, Spain. Galicia is about 90 miles up the coast from Barcelona.

To appreciate the beauty of nature, why don't resize the photo.

Sorry to disillusion you of sunny Spain sunny.

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When you're feelin’ blue

It was the weekend of the Diada and much ado in the barrios.

While many folks were getting ready to enjoy the ceremonies, speeches and music, others were working.

To bad for them, but great for us, for that weekend was the weekend we met Officer Jorge.

He was working this day, guiding the traffic and making certain that nuisances like us would not step on the newly-paved and painted parts of the street.

Aha! But we tricked him. We weren’t interested in crossing the street. No! Our attention was placed on the street pavers' movements, and the colors of yellow and white against the asphalt.

Got my camera and began clicking, and clicking. I was stooping, standing and what not. From the corner of my eye, I saw someone smiling. I took a chance and asked if the man in blue wouldn’t mind me borrowing his leg for a shot. Much to my surprise, he acquiesced and voila! The following photo was taken.

Officer Jorge, Barcelona, 2006

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Amazing, eh?

We chatted for a bit and I figured Officer Jorge might think us those crazy Americans. So, I asked the question. Would he mind if he were in the photos? And the next thing I knew, there was Officer Jorge, posing and smiling. What a treat that was for me!

Officer Jorge, Barcelona, 2006

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Officer Jorge, Barcelona, 2006

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Let me tell you a little of what I know about this fine officer. He will soon be in Australia but, for what else, BOWLING!! Jorge belongs to the policemans' bowling league and they travel, competing with officers from other countries.

He has an average of @ 220, ah yawn, no, just kidding and he has invited us to meet with him and his friends to play a friendly game. Should they be shaking with fear? I don’t think so.

Officer Jorge has a kind face and a ready smile.

He’s a man to know and a friend to hopefully have.

Enjoy!!

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