Golden Point

How does one siesta in Barcelona?

Well, you bring your lawn chair, your pooch, relax

And , oh yes!

Be sure to wear a suit and tie.

Like my mom always said: "You never know who will be watching"!

FYI: How could I not resist taking his picture. Could you?

I wondered if I would ever see him again.

A few years passed by and we were bumping into each other here and there and everywhere.

He was ever so gracious to let me click away each time we met.

He was indeed as nice as he looked sleeping.

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

Tapa i àpat

Folks! If you're looking for tapa meals and you happen to be in the barrio of gràcia walking on carrer Gran de Gràcia passing building #44 then YOU have to stop at the Tapa i àpat restaurant.

Let me tell you why!

Locals frequently dine there.

They know how to fry foods which can be a bit tricky.

The service is above par.

Menus are in different languages for the Catalan challenged.

You are special, even if you are a pesky tourist.

So ... all you have to do is order, smell the delicious aromas, eat and pay for the food.

I remember this cafe fondly.

But I warn you. I haven't been there in over a year and this is what I knew, for we were frequent customers. After all, I did shoot this photo to remember the place.

Give them a try and let me know what you think!

The Kiss Heard Around the World

A striking couple they were, walking and holding hands, a scene not uncommon in Barcelona.

I was sitting and tweaking my camera (a usual pastime)

The Kiss Heard Around the World

When suddenly, through my viewer, I saw the couple immediately stop, embrace and kiss in that passionate way,

All the while holding each other YOU wish would last a lifetime.

Wow! When they finished, she looked at her and all of Barcelona breathed a sigh.

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

A Circle of Reason

I haven’t posted construction photos much, if at all, and they are my favorite pictures to shoot.

Memo: I will have to show you more in the future.

Anyway, barreling down Gran de Gràcia, in my usual lithe way, I saw these wonderful circular holes being drilled through a grandiose slab of white marble.

Gran de Gràcia
Barcelona, 2008

Cutting through marble, (a sacrilegious deed as throwing away Hershey Kisses Candy, gosh forbid) pains me immensely and I wondered why these workers were doing such a deed.

As I was taking pictures, un viejo antiquo, (an old man) turned to me and began talking.

He was very disgusted about the work he saw and explained to me in his animated way that these holes would never have been put there during Franco’s regime.

I got caught with my pants down. I didn’t expect simple picture taking to take on a political note.

I have enough trials and tribulations trying to make heads or tails on the American political system, the Bank Bailout, and Sarah Palin.

For me, I saw these holes as just holes placed in store fronts to protect them from stray cars veering into them.

Oh well … he had his idea and I had mine.

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

Head Rush

Those who practice yoga say that standing upside down, or inversions, help to stimulate the flow of blood, bringing oxygen to your brain.

You can chose to use gravity boots, a yoga sling, inversion tables or a plain wall.

But, I found a young boy, who took inversion to another limit, blending his mind, body and spirit'

And the funny thing, he was having FUN!

Barcelona, 2008

La Festa, Gràcia! 2008 has informally begun.

At the Jardinets, on Gran de Gràcia, the carnival has arrived.

And what a treat to see the kids on rides and parents enjoying cotton candy.

Friday, the 15th begins the official festa and I will write more about its history.