God & Gaudí

“Nothing is invented, for it's written in nature first.”

~ Gaudí

Our correspondent today is Connie Reagan:

Our second day in Barcelona was filled with both laughter and prayer. We started out the day on the charter bus touring the historic city of Barcelona. Our tour guide, Ivan, a native of Madrid who moved to Barcelona, personally directed us through the narrow, winding streets of old town and the perfectly gridded streets of new town. The "old town" was once a part of the Roman city and the "new town" was not constructed until "modern times." The perspective of time is so different in Europe; a two century old building is considered relatively new. The unofficial "third part" of Barcelona is Grácia. Grácia is a district that used to be a little town outside of Barcelona; now a really unique district.  Grácia is home to some of the most interesting sites and festivals in the city.  The streets are very narrow and help it feel like a  small town in the city.  Many people in this district live in apartments towered up three or four stories. Catalonia flags line the streets, hanging from most of the balconies. However, most visitors don't know that the district of Grácia is home to the professional soccer club, Europa. Though Europa is not the best team in Barcelona, it is deeply loved by the locals.

Our next stop of the tour was Güell Parc. Güell is one of the few public parks available in the city. The land that the park sits on was actually meant to be parceled out to local wealthy families with the intention of building permanent residences.  When this plan failed, the owner of the expanse acreage sold the land to the city and it became a park for all to enjoy. One thing about the park that most do not pick up right away is how many religious symbols are present. Many of the symbols were imbedded in the park by its famous and devout designer Antonio Gaudí.  Along the pathway leading to the main square, there is a chain of cement spheres. Though they might look like a modern piece of architecture, they are actually part of a giant rosary. Along the path, a pattern of 10 small spheres represent the Hail Mary's,  and after each decade a larger sphere represents the Our Father. With this, one can take a stroll in the park, enjoy nature, and meditate on the mysteries. This rosary path leads up to a hill nicknamed Calvary. At the top of this hill, there are three crosses. These crosses can be seen from almost everywhere along the path. Also in the park we saw benches, houses, and columns also designed by  Gaudí; who now is a world renowned Spanish architect.  His creations put a modern spin on such an old part of the city.  At the same time he careful to make his art blend seamlessly with nature.

After taking a quick ride across town, we drooled over another work of art: La Sagrada Familia.  La Sagrada Familia is a church that underwent the beginning of its construction in 1882, and the project was soon taken over by Gaudí. For the duration of his life, Gaudí dedicated all of his time to La Sagrada Familia and a few other projects. Though Gaudí died before the completion  of the church, the people of Barcelona did not abandon it. Today, a group of 14 architects have come together to finish the construction of this work of art.  Without Gaudí alive, and his lack plans,  it is difficult for many people to agree on the final picture that Gaudí had in mind. The effort to complete the church is backed by many of the people of Barcelona although it is very controversial with many in the artistic world.

The construction of La Sagrada Familia is solely supported by private donations. Government money has never been spent to keep this project afloat. In November of 2010 Pope Benedict XVI consecrated the church and though it is not complete, it can house the mass and other religious services.  Luckily for us, La Sagrada Familia is due to be completed in the year 2026, so hopefully we will all be able to make it back to see the final product. After being amazed by the articulate detail of La Sagrada Familia, we got back on the charter bus and went up to Barcelona's Olympic Park.  At the top of a mountain overlooking the Mediterranean sea, we drove past the Olympic stadium, swimming pool, track, and housing. We stopped for a few minutes to take pictures at an overlook that provided a view of the whole city. From one spot, you could see where the mountains met the sea and all of the red and orange roofing in between. Also at the overlook we stopped at a snack kiosk and bought the best popcorn in all of Spain for only €1! 

After we traveled back into the main part of the city, we took a break for lunch and free time. Some of us took this time to eat at a Tapas café or to hunt for good sales at the local boutiques. When the group met back up together we left for our final visit of the day, Santa Maria del Mar, a medieval church that is a few blocks down the street from out hotel. This church has significant meaning to us because at this church, Ignatius once sat and begged for money. Ignatius came to Barcelona on his way to the Holy Land. In the church, there is a statute of Ignatius right at the very spot he sat when he was there. We stood over the plaque that marked the spot in the church where he begged.  We lit two candles, and as a group prayed a Hail Mary, an Our Father, Glory Be, and the Prayer for
Generosity.

We closed the night with a laugh-filled dinner at Flo Brasserie.  In comparison to our first dinner, this one was relatively small with "only" three courses: iceberg salad with tuna and fresh baked bread, paella with noodles, and crème brûlée pudding. After throwing jokes back and fourth at the table, we ended our night with a walk back to our hotel, gazing at the Barcelona stars along the way.

Today was a continuation of our amazing time in the city of Barcelona! We are all beginning to get to know each other better than before, and we are beginning to form a bond with each other. Today went by a lot faster than yesterday because we are finally adjusted to the time, and we were very well rested. Also, we are more familiar with the streets, shops, cafés, and the lifestyle of the city. It will be difficult to leave such a beautiful place.