Scene in Spain, #14

While out for a walk in Barcelona, we ran across these lovely flowers. I don’t know what they are, but they brightened the already pleasant day.

Scene while walking: February 14, 2014

We had a lot of snow recently, and while clearing the walkways the snow was piled up around this tree – and it made it look to me like it was wearing a big wedding dress. Appropriate for Valentine’s Day!

Scene while walking: February 11, 2014

I found the spot!

Scene while walking: February 10, 2014

On a still and foggy morning, the ponds on campus became a mirror for the trees.

Scene in Spain, #13

One of the things I love about traveling is seeing wildlife out and about that here I would have to see in a wildlife preserve of some sort. In Barcelona, that was green parrots. I followed them around like a little kid.

spotting them in green trees was tricky at first

here’s looking at you!

of course, when I got close, he decided to get shy…

Scene in Spain, #12

After our adventure watching the motorbikes get towed, we made our way to Montjuïc (recommended by many, and it did not disappoint).

Heading up the hill to the fountains

the sound was a nice as the view

I gave my husband the camera so here is a rare photo of me in Spain!

The views on top of the hill were amazing.

Inside the building on top was an art museum, and this is the ceiling in the lobby/entrance.

Inside the exhibit was this Dali (non-flash photography was allowed)

I have to admit, the thing I recall most was being entertained by the pigeons on this statue…

Scene in Spain, #11

We set out the next day and found lovely green spaces and interesting architecture as we walked to the metro station.

However this version of an “Arch of Triumph” – while pretty – is not quite as impressive as the one in Paris:

We sat down at a cafe for a bit, because there was something very surprising and entertaining going on. Two motorbikes were apparently parked illegally, and a very specialized truck came along to tow them – but what it does is harness the bikes and lift them high in the air to be secured to the truck!

As we watched, fascinated by the whole process, a woman walked up – apparently one of the bikes was hers. She talked them into giving it back to her – but I suspect she is still paying a fine…

Scene in Spain, #10

After we took a fast train ride from Madrid to Barcelona we got to our new hotel. This was the amazing view from one of the windows:

Looking the other direction we could see this:

In the middle is Sagrada Familia – more on that in a future post…

Then we went walking – here are a couple of photos from that first wander with no destination in mind:

After this we stopped for a while and decided to make a plan. I reached out to several friends I know had been to Barcelona and they gave a number of suggestions, which guided our adventures in the upcoming days. More soon!

Scene in Spain, #9

Here are some random pictures from the rest of our time in Madrid:

The Invisible Man outside the Prado

A random toy shop

I was entertained by this…

one of my favorite photos I’ve taken of my husband (taking a break during a long walk).

The main train station in Madrid, as we prepared to head to Barcelona.

Scene in Spain, #8

I’ve been very neglectful. Sorry about that! To make up for it here are a ton of photos from the botanical gardens in Madrid. Turns out they have a massive bonsai collection that is super impressive. There are a couple of random flowers and some future tequila thrown in for good measure. It was a lovely place. Unfortunately the bonsai are against a green-ivy fence which makes it difficult to get good photos. I did my best!