Barcelona

Jumping back several weeks... In mid-march our wonderful friends, Jordan and Jessica Rocke flew over the ocean to see us. We miss the Rockes "like the flower misses the rain" and it was so good to spend a whole week with them! It was a week filled with board games, fun outings and a 32 hour trip to Barcelona. I've been wanting to see Barcelona, Spain for many years and it was so fun to share that with the Rockes. It was fun to practice my Spanish again, and I was thankful how quickly it came back to me!

Eating traditional tortilla española

La Sagrada Familia is a famous Cathedral in Barcelona started in 1882 by an architect named Francisco de Paula del Villar and continued from 1883-1926 by the famous architect, Gaudi. Since then many different architects have continued building the Cathedral, which is still not finished to this day. It building of the Cathedral is funded solely by donations. The Sagrada Familia was one of the most amazing buildings I've ever been inside! It was like stepping into a fairyland or a scene from The Lord of the Rings.

View of Barcelona from the top of one of the towers.

Half-way down the spiral staircase that we had to climb down. Fortunately there was an elevator going up...

Ben enjoying a delicious chocolate cake.

Famous rooftop chimneys of a Gaudi apartment building.

Another famous Gaudi building

Inside a gothic cathedral. Very different form the light, airy feeling of the Sagrada Familia.

We got lost wandering to the beach on the second day and thought we had found the famous Columbus statue. (above)

The actual Columbus statue...much bigger and more impressive than the one we thought was the statue...

Barcelona beach- beautiful, but chilly in March!