How will I know who you are?

I'll be carrying a large, black bag.

Yes, Luna ... There is an IKEA

Hidden and far away, tucked in the belly of Barcelona, is a store called IKEA in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat.

Bus and train are the way I get around Barcelona and the L95 was one way to reach IKEA. According to the internet, the L95's route begins at Barcelona's center, which I believe is la plaça de Catalunya.

But which streets from the plaça? Can you imagine how many streets have access to the plaça? Many! Why couldn't directions be explained so that a 4 year old and mature people (like me) could understand?

I was on a mission and I was NOT going to give up. I put the idea of finding IKEA aside for awhile, for confusion reigned for a long long time. (I'm too embarrassed to say how long).

I went about my simple but eventful life meeting locals, pesky tourists and discovering new places, like Casanova Foto.

And, finding the L95 bus!

Indeed! The L95 bus is almost in front of the Casanova Foto shop. Crazy, eh?

We went to IKEA that day and a few more times since then.

Victory!

PS:  Casanova Foto and origin of the L95 bus
    
     Ronda de la Universitat, 35, 08007 Barcelona
     933 02 73 63

Pass it on!

Los Caracoles

New restaurant in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona:  just opened.  Barely 190 years ago.

Usually, tourists swarm around the front of  "Los Caracoles" like army ants intent on wrecking my chances of getting a sweet shot of the place. 

Today was different:  Take a look at the proof!.

Three humans mark the points of the imaginary triangle. They appeared as if they'd conspired with me to come up with a shot that would impress you!

Any time you're looking for a fine place to eat with a friendly photographer-lady waiting outside, you know where to go.  I'm waiting!

I only have eyes for me!

At the top of the La Rambla de Catalunya and Via Diagonal, is the Coquettish Giraffe sculpted by Josep Granyer i Giralt. Everyone and anyone, even maybe you have met someone and somebody lingering and meandering.

Yes. It is a whimsical piece and on this Semana Santa (Easter Sunday) he has primped him or herself  for you.

Everything about him for me screams guy.

Could it be the mirror that does so?

Mindless Game

If he had only written a list, he wouldn't have forgotten the most important "to-do" item.

Oh, the games we play as we get older, to master memory.

A Room Where it Always Rains (Una habitación donde siempre llueve)

I was shocked. Somehow, someway, I missed this area of the city. It's called la Barceloneta. In the Barceloneta is an area called la plaça del Mar. At del Mar you will see the sculptor called "A Room Where it Always Rains" by Juan Muñoz.

 The figurines are tall ... close to 5 feet. The statue's faces are haunting. 

The statues are in a "room" where the "walls" are slats of iron.

FYI, behind me was the playa de port vell. If you like sun, fun, water, great food and affordable convenient stores, then be sure to consider this area.

I will!

No Title

I love this photo and yet I'm at a loss to know what to title.

Originally, I had "Is that all there is", but the phrase kept replaying in my head like a golden oldie.

So, I surrender. If any of you can help me with naming the photo, I'd be so happy.

Too much of a stretch, even for a ballerina

What's the ballerina doing here?!

Is she the odd man out?

A ballerina helps a hip-hop group perform warm-up exercises.

The crowd is delighted. 

Sitting on a bench with my friends, yet I feel alone

Hmm ... don't you just hate the devices, where everyone gathers to look at "something" and someone is left out for ... you fill in any reason.

A real puzzler

When I first saw him, I was puzzled and wondered why he was sitting on the steps of the Maremagnum.

After all, he's in Barcelona, and when in Barcelona you walk, eat, shop, rest, and then start again until you drop from exhaustion.

But he was alone, and I liked his ruggedness, quiet demeanor, intense concentration and I wanted to take a photo for its perspective and composition.

For a few minutes, look before zooming in on the photo. Can you figure out what he's working on?

Did you guess Sudoku?! I would have never guessed.

A name so nice, they used it twice

TapaTapa is nestled at the very opposite end of the Maremagnum entrance.

After a busy day of walking, talking and shopping,  I suggest you take a break for a tapa at the TapaTapa -- a name so nice, they used it twice.

Honestly, you can't go wrong with just about any restaurant in Barcelona, for their taste will delight you with sinful pleasure.

And look: TapaTapa is located right by the water;  if you got any closer, you'd be in the Mediterranean Sea! How's that for a view?

You'll experience real life. Way better than watching TV.

Yo soy la jefa (I am the boss)

When I first saw the poster sponsored by Toulose Business School, I felt pleased that this woman looked in control of her business future and empowered. I thought the poster to be strong.

But then I began to question the words.

The poster reads: Durante los proximos 3 anos, y so la jefa.

Translation: During the next 3 years ... I am the boss.

And then what?

I feel it should have read: AFTER the next 3 years, (for the rest of my working life),  I will be the boss.

How would you have written words?

Or is it ok the way it is?

Or am I making a mountain out of a molehill?

Marato Barcelona - 2015

Runners participating in the Zurich Barcelona Marathon.

The run is 42.195 km or 26.2188 miles. 

Well, when you can't get a taxi, great running shoes and good insurance (sponsored by Zurich) are a must.

Master the art of interpersonal relationships

Find an area with water, lay under a tree, put away the 'devices' and most importantly, butt heads.

Her face doesn't matter.

I had not seen her face but she surely caught my eye for her stance was confident and while unassuming was assuming.

Very rarely does a woman attract my attention but I've learned through the eyes of the camera and more an awareness of my  immortality to appreciate ALL that is around me.

She was alone with long auburn hair spiraling down her shoulders and back.

Her legs looked like a never ending tube of toothpaste squirted into stiletto heels so pointy that hopefully she had the very ever high heels registered as a dangerous weapon.

I clicked a few photos of her more to see how the new adjustments I made on my camera appealed to my taste. A bit saturated and something I would have to fix at a later time. I didn't want to lose her.

She walked past me and slowly began turning. I realized she was taking selfies of herself, pouting her voluptuous lips in that way I see actresses do after a new round of collagen injections. Interesting, I thought, but not exceptionally exciting or different to post or even care. I realized her face just didn't matter.

And then I knew what I liked about her.

Can you guess?

It was the curvature of her body, truly shaped like an hour glass. I really liked the way she moved her body and she did too.

She is a woman and proud. And I like that.