Basilica Sagrada De Familia

 

No matter how you may feel about organized religion,

Basilica Sagrada De Familia, is an amazing piece of art.

Designed by Gaudi, building started in 1882, and is still underway.

Gaudi died in 1926, at that time the building was about 20% complete.

As you can see in the photos above, details are what make this building come to life.

Once inside the building, organically formed columns that resemble tree trunks 

support the elaborate ceiling. Well placed skylights allows natural light to filter in, 

much like light filtering through the canopy in a forest. 

Brightly colored stained glass work allows colored light to bathe the stone interior.

 It is hard not to notice the visual symbolism around every corner 

adding intrigue to every step, while leaving you eyes hungry for more.

The continuous construction is not financially supported by government or outside churches. Private patrons, money collected from ticketed tours, as well as donations

fund the building of this UNESCO world heritage site.

 This building is one I hope to see again.

There is more to see on this journey!

I invite you to join along on the next adventure in Barcelona, Spain.

An Afternoon in Park Güell

An afternoon, on a sunny day, in García. 

A perfect opportunity to explore Carmel Hill, and see the amazing design ideas of the Spanish mastermind, Gaudi.  

Gaudi absolutely detested, straight lines. 

He embraced curvature found in nature, and formed his designs around this principle.

Tile is no acceptation to this rule. Every section of mosaic is laid out on a convex, or concave surface. 
This gives a feeling of surreal wonder and captivates the imagination. 

The main courtyard is lined with ergonomic benches decorated in an assortment of 

multi colored and patterned tiles. The hight of the courtyard offers lovely panoramic views of Barcelona, as well as the Mediterranean sea. An enticing place to rest weary feet, watch the

parrots, and people as the day goes by. 

The arched stone pathway leading around the park has an organic flow nature would envy.
A cobble stone of rocks come together to form stalagmites and stalactites. They become the supports for the curved wall and ceiling of the covered walkway.

 Under the outdoor courtyard is an open area supported by massively huge, stone columns. 
The ceiling is intricately detailed with a mosaic of repurposed tile, ceramic, and glass.
Small pops of color in pleasing color pallets, make a large impact. Adding a playful element, that gives intrigue to the other wise pale interior.

With surprises around every curve, the imagination can easily run wild.

Park Guell has become a place, near and dear to my own heart.

A home away from home, for my wildest imaginations.

I hope these photos, ignite your imagination.

I look forward to sharing more of my adventures in Spain, with you!

Dream Adventurously

At the start of the new year I set forth a statement in form of a quote by Alice Walker. 

"Look closely at the present you are constructing: 

it should look like the future you are dreaming."

I took this closely to heart.

 I started to take a closer look at my own dreams.

 First I had to dust off my personal box of dreams and wishes, that unfortunately 

had been ignored and neglected for too long.  Then I had to decide what I felt in my heart,

needed to be seen and done. What is it that I have been dreaming about doing,

 but have never taken the actual steps to do?

Many things came up to the surface, Many things "I SHOULD DO" like;

 Join a gym, Apply yourself and go after that big job title, go out on more bike rides, 

remodel the bathroom, Paint the hallway, set up screen printing space... 

all this felt like tasks to get done, it felt like work!!!

After the year of loss that I had delt with, I did not need more work.

I needed to recharge.

 I needed freedom, I need excitement, I needed an adventure!

I have always wanted to see Spain.

I have never been to Europe.

This was just the kinda adventure I needed to rewaken, and recharge my creative cells.

Here was my chance to do something I had only dreamed of doing!

Was I afraid? 

A little. 

I have read all about the scammers and thieves that travel around Europe

looking for travelers. My conversational Spanish is best classified as poor to awful,

but these facts just made it all more exciting. 

I packed my old college backpack as light as I possibly could, and got my tickets.

I was on my way to live out a lifelong travel dream.

My first flight was out of PDX (Portland, Oregon) on to ORD (Chicago, Illinois)...

then on to FRA (Frankfurt, Germany)...

Over the Pyrenees mountains...

finally ending my global flight adventures in BCN (Barcelona, Spain).

This is a diverse culture rich in history, art and cuisine. 

Everyday gave me a glimpse into a past that has built up to become a decadent tapestry

 that is known as Spain. 

I invite you to see through the lens of a camera, how this journey unfolds .

I look forward to sharing my travel discoveries with you.