Monday, April 29, 2013
Argh! There be Parrots!
These guys were feasting on blossoms in these trees. Pirate supply. Catch your own.
Parc Guell
Originally designed by Antonin Gaudi as an upmarket, 60 residence housing development, delayed by WWI, and finally completed as a park by Gaudi's compatriots, these buildings and grounds evoke a feeling of Alice in Wonderland.
Oh yes, it also rains in Barcelona.
Oh yes, it also rains in Barcelona.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Catalonian National Art
The Catalans converted the fortress at Montjuic, which had been used by Generalissimo Franco as a center to torture and execute those with independent leanings (the Catalans don't quite consider themselves Spanish) to their National Art Gallery.
It starts with Romanesque, works through the middle ages and Rennaissance, right into the modern. Some pretty amazing artwork in there, much of it from churches. Here are a few of my favorites, and a surprise.
(Look at who painted the last one...bet you couldn't guess)
It starts with Romanesque, works through the middle ages and Rennaissance, right into the modern. Some pretty amazing artwork in there, much of it from churches. Here are a few of my favorites, and a surprise.
(Look at who painted the last one...bet you couldn't guess)
Protests over Education Cuts
There's a terrible crisis of unemployment in Spain. After a housing bubble burst which was at least as great as what happened in the US, the private sector retrenched dramatically, stretching government resources.
Unlike in the US, the Spanish government cannot invent money; it has to borrow on the bond market. Interest rates have been high, further stressing finances, while revenues plumitted. The European authorities by and large have been stingy with providing funding, responding to northern European sensibilities which tend to view southern Europe as a victim of its own irresponsibility. They say pain will eventually cure the ill.
Meanwhile, Keynesian economists, while not denying that long term problems exist, say the proximate fix is government spending to replace the missing private sector spending.
It's a bit like a smoker who had a heart attack, the austerians are saying smoking leads to heart attacks. Kick the habit! The Keynesians are saying, Administer CPR, the patient should quit smoking once he's recovered.
Since the austerian northerners effectively control the bank, they're having their way, and the patient is nearing death. So these Catalans are responding to the cuts in the way they know: they're out on the street.
It's kind of thrilling to see this democratic protest in action. I hope they suceed, but Spain may have to threaten to, or actually, leave the eurozone, at which point they could spend and tax in their own money again.
Unlike in the US, the Spanish government cannot invent money; it has to borrow on the bond market. Interest rates have been high, further stressing finances, while revenues plumitted. The European authorities by and large have been stingy with providing funding, responding to northern European sensibilities which tend to view southern Europe as a victim of its own irresponsibility. They say pain will eventually cure the ill.
Meanwhile, Keynesian economists, while not denying that long term problems exist, say the proximate fix is government spending to replace the missing private sector spending.
It's a bit like a smoker who had a heart attack, the austerians are saying smoking leads to heart attacks. Kick the habit! The Keynesians are saying, Administer CPR, the patient should quit smoking once he's recovered.
Since the austerian northerners effectively control the bank, they're having their way, and the patient is nearing death. So these Catalans are responding to the cuts in the way they know: they're out on the street.
It's kind of thrilling to see this democratic protest in action. I hope they suceed, but Spain may have to threaten to, or actually, leave the eurozone, at which point they could spend and tax in their own money again.
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Nice Vegetarian Dinner
Ham sandwiches and pizza only get you so far. This was satisfying. The friendly owner gave me an extra piece of chocolate cake. Great place.
Knarly buildings
This architect could definitely have gotten a job at Disneyland, if he had still been alive. This is turn of the 20th century.
Friday, April 26, 2013
Plans
I was initially planning to camp in southern France, up as far as Paris. Then it hit me how cool and damp it is there in April-May. So I changed plans, deciding to head for Italy. Southern Italy if it's rainy in Rome.
Rick Steves describes southern Italy as 'intense'. I wonder what that means?
Rick Steves describes southern Italy as 'intense'. I wonder what that means?
Modern Architecture
These Catalonians are artistic and stylish (think Pablo Picasso, Salvadore Dali, Joan Miro...) and it shows in their buildings.
Look at some of these recently constructed habitable creations...(shot from the bus. There were a few more I couldn't catch)
Look at some of these recently constructed habitable creations...(shot from the bus. There were a few more I couldn't catch)
Protest in Barcelona
A huge din of horn honking and whistles blowing drew me to this large group. They were protesting something, but what? They got in front of a store with an alligator logo....aha!...It matched their signs.
Why 118? Turns out the company is closing a factory in Spain and laying off 118 workers. The unemployment just hit something like 27% in Spain. These people are boiling! (I'm told it's bad in Italy too)
Good to see them out agitating.
Why 118? Turns out the company is closing a factory in Spain and laying off 118 workers. The unemployment just hit something like 27% in Spain. These people are boiling! (I'm told it's bad in Italy too)
Good to see them out agitating.
It rains in Barcelona!
It rained yesterday, with wind, and when I got back to my camp, everything had gotten wet.
Lucky for me there was a hospitable Italian couple, Norberto and Cornelia, next over, and we had a good time talking and eating spaghetti in their VW camper van.
Next day I broke camp at 3 Estrellas and came to Centric Point Hostel, which is clean, located near Placa Catalunya and is even cheaper than camping. Yippee!
Lucky for me there was a hospitable Italian couple, Norberto and Cornelia, next over, and we had a good time talking and eating spaghetti in their VW camper van.
Next day I broke camp at 3 Estrellas and came to Centric Point Hostel, which is clean, located near Placa Catalunya and is even cheaper than camping. Yippee!
Saint Anna's church
Now for some sight-seeing. Barcelona was old before the Romans colonized it. It's steeped in history, especially the oldest part inside the Roman walls.
This church was just outside, was completed in the 12th century, and functioned as a convent. Even a non-religious person (such as myself) can't help being moved by the spiritual vibrations emanating from these walls.
This church was just outside, was completed in the 12th century, and functioned as a convent. Even a non-religious person (such as myself) can't help being moved by the spiritual vibrations emanating from these walls.
Flight
I'm cheating a bit here, since I've already been in Barcelona 2 days. But I wanted to post this photo of my skiing place which we flew over. Sierra at Tahoe. You can also see Pyramid Peak ... It's the one that looks like a pyramid. Heck of a view from the top.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Take off
It's 6:19 in the Sacramento airport on April 23, waiting for a flight to St Paul, then JFK, then Barcelona. They took my yogurt at Checkpoint Charlie. Silly me, thinking I could smuggle yogurt onto a plane. Oh well, let the adventure begin!
By the way, the adventure now includes Italy, but not France. The weather looked cool and rainy to the north, so I decided to stay south where my tent will be more comfortable. Rome, Sienna, Florence, Assisi, Naples, Sorrento. That's the plan.
Fearing $6 coffees in Italy, I picked up a tiny alcohol stove and packed my cook kit. Take that, you overpriced restaurateurs! I'll fight back with Kraft Mac & Cheese (not!) But I CAN make coffee, so at least the brain is activated before venturing out among the hordes of pick-pockets.
By the way, the adventure now includes Italy, but not France. The weather looked cool and rainy to the north, so I decided to stay south where my tent will be more comfortable. Rome, Sienna, Florence, Assisi, Naples, Sorrento. That's the plan.
Fearing $6 coffees in Italy, I picked up a tiny alcohol stove and packed my cook kit. Take that, you overpriced restaurateurs! I'll fight back with Kraft Mac & Cheese (not!) But I CAN make coffee, so at least the brain is activated before venturing out among the hordes of pick-pockets.
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