Behind the dark, the day

Flying from Barcelona to Switzerland, the dawn was breaking and I got to see the beginning of the Alps formations.

 I remember words like grandiose, majestic, eerie and isolated coming to my mind.

Post work-out payoff

Jogging, joga, jumping certainly take a toll on your body.

And, what's a good way to have your body relax after such a strenuous workout?

Why, drinking La Casera, a sweet fizzy soft drink and vino tinto, or red wine, another popular drink in Espana and just about every where else in the world.

These 2 beverages combined with an intense workout and a power siesta will leave you relaxed and mellow.

See for yourself!

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Emily

She was fun, tender and a great worker. She always greeted me with a hug y tenia una sonrisa que me encanta or a smile that enchanted me.

Now what fast-food restaurant do you go to where the worker embraces you?

She knew what I liked to eat and drink and always had my meal ready to perfection by the time I had to pay.

I loved the bocadillo con queso y bacon ... which is a bacon and cheese sandwich.

She left the restaurant for good to pursue a new line of work a year before I arrived back to the states.

She was Emily and I wish her, her new marriage and baby well if she ever googles this blog.

Hasta luego, Emily!

People of Interest FLCKR photoset.

Precious Moment

I can't resist,

Could YOU?!

View barcalunacy's A Candid View of Everyday People FLCKR photoset.

A slip of the leg

No need for her to worry about her clothes getting caught on any part of the bicycle except to catch the eye of a roving camera.

View barcalunacy's A Candid View of Everyday People FLCKR photoset.

Halloween in the middle of summer!

On August 15, 2010, Barcelona's barrio of Gràcia will celebrate la Festa Major de Gràcia 2010.

I've missed the last several years of the festa and for nostalgia sake I post this video of the 2006 winner carre de Torder, MY ALL TIME FAVORITE STREET.

I LOVE THIS VIDEO!!!

 carre de Torder

Click HERE for the video!

Now, what is la festa de Gràcia you might be asking yourself?

Well, it's little streets within Gràcia that are outrageously decorated and prizes for the best decorated are awarded.

Themes run from pre-historic times to aliens and star-trek like creatures to quiet corners like reading for the kiddies.

It's Halloween except right in the middle of summer.

Children end up having a great time and grown-ups a better time.

If you click on CLICK, I found an itinerary of the weeks events displayed.

If you like what you saw, just search la festa on my blog to see more.

And!

If you're in Barcelona that week, go, go GOOOOO!!!!

He takes a camera break

View barcalunacy's A Candid View of Everyday People FLCKR photoset.

Who wore it best?

Look at my post of July 12, 2010 called Five steps for an effective meeting,

And, tell me,

Who wore it best?

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Five steps for an effective meeting

Consider the location ... maybe a carnival might do.

Never miss your next job ... always carry your cell phone.

Surround yourself with colleagues who are youthful and good looking.

Check the weather ... sunny days make you happy.

And most importantly, wear comfortable clothing ... air-conditioned hosiery is smart.

View barcalunacy's A Candid View of Everyday People FLCKR photoset.

How to tell if he's just that into you

When I was 19, a fella named Joe took me to dinner on our first date and like all young girls, I was a nervous wreck.

I dreamed of numerous forks and spoons set on the table and would I know which one to use.

I dreamed of over eating, ordering the most expensive meal, and missing the food in my mouth.

How I wished I could be calm and serene like this couple.

They were soooo into one another.

They were at Plaça Gal-la Placidia, a cute park in the barrio de Gràcia.

They sat there for a long moment quietly talking and seriously looking into each others arm pits and their own., completely oblivious of me or anyone else at the park.

I don't know what kind of relationship they had but to me the moment was beautiful.

Caring, sharing and communicating is how I defined the picture.

We should all be so lucky!

View barcalunacy's A Candid View of Everyday People FLCKR photoset.

Hope, fear or just plain tired

I took this photo from inside a steamy restaurant in a favorite plaça of mine.

It was dark with only florescent lighting illuminating the area

Contemplating whether to chose a diet coke with ice or a diet coke without ice (life is so challenging), I saw this lady walking and just about to sit down.

I got my camera ready, she sat, I took a few shots and here we are.

I photo shopped for contrast and that's it. I wanted to keep the ambiance of the moment. I chose not to crop to show her aloneness in a big space.

I hope you like the picture and that the photo evokes feelings and emotions for you as it did with me.

View barcalunacy's A Candid View of Everyday People FLCKR photoset.

What are they thinking?

Your guess is as good as mine.

Don't they look great?!

They sat, in that pensive way, at a fountain located at carrer de Cucurulla on the way to the Cathedral (in Barcelona) and I couldn't resist.

Such a great place to take pictures.

View barcalunacy's A Candid View of Everyday People FLCKR photoset.

A Bloom in Yellow

The cactus and many other flowers were given to me by an expat from the states living in Barcelona.

She died and her family gave me her entire cactus collection.

I took what I could by hand and carrito and found my way back to the piso.

The one you see here is, of course, hers.

I photographed this beautiful flower when I saw its first bloom in my care.

Thank you, Alice.