" Lyki, Lyki "

well, with a window display that's à la mode,
what's not to like right?! ^0^

« ps: someone asked me about RSS. 
pls. check the link that is between the header
and this post: RSS Feed Here.
tnx! »

* where was this *
on the road- bus touristic -BCN

" Joan Miró "

Stroll along Las Ramblas and head to the middle of the road, 
amidst the hordes of tourists, sketch artists, souvenir shops
among others.
This large artwork of Joan Miró can be seen in this exact Metro exit.



 * where was this *
Las Ramblas -BCN

" color me Bleu "

* where was this *
Carrer de Valldonzella-BCN

" Centro Aragones "

There are lots of art centres and museums here in BCN.
and this structure is just one of them.
It was hard to find its historical structure though,
If anyone has more info about it, feel free to share. ^0^


 




from its exterior,
Centro Aragones is its name,
perhaps, a local theatre here.




and a plaque that said:



Peforming now:

 

* where was this *
Carrer de Torres I Amat-BCN

" A place in the sun "

One thing I had noticed about the local catalans,
they don't veer away from the camera.
In fact, they'd be happy if you take a picture
of them and generously gave you that
warm smile or a gestured hello.



Here's this guy rowing his boat freely and
nice enough to pause for a second and smile back.

* where was this *
Rambla del mar
Port Vell- BCN

" Dionisos "

clearly inspired by the greek god- Dionysus. 
another resto near Ciutadella Park,
just around the corner of Estació de França.
The food here is definitely cheaper than in most touristy area.

and great al fresco ambiance too.
for a second, this could be vaguely somewhere in Paris or Rome.



* where was this *
Estació de França
Avinguda del Marques de L'argentera
La Ribera-BCN

" Passé Composé "

 If you were learning french then this signage would definitely catch your attention.  ^0^



 btw, it means Past tense in french grammar. 

* where was this *
Carrer del Bon Succés- BCN

" Twilight "

It was between Sant Sever and La Seu when I caught this
couple and the timing seemed perfect.




taken before the eve of Christmas,
though most of the high end shops were closed,
That didn't stop us ( tourists ) from wandering
around the Barri Gotíc area.

* where was this *
Barri Gothic- Jaume- BCN 

" 54 "

If you're heading to Park Güell and decided to walk all the way up, then you would've seen this structure
one way or another.



It's the only colorful palette amidst the crowd.
I wonder who lives there?!...

* where was this *
Parc Güell (on the way)- BCN

" Carlos Ruiz Zafon "

By now, you would've known that Zafon is
one of my favorite writers, alongside Arturo Perez Reverte
and Ildefonso Falcones.
I chance upon his book at a 2nd hand bookstore,
not knowing who he was then,
I got intrigued by the title- The Shadow of the Wind,
his character you'd hate to love and love to hate,
the shadow of forgotten books and
finally decided to read it.



His book inspired me to see the other side of Barcelona,
its enigmatic charm especially the gothic quarter.

Ironcally though, he currently lives in Los Angeles,
where he's more inspired,
as he felt trapped when he's in BCN.
His third book is on the works.

* where was this *
magazine Kiosk

" the fountain "

This magnificent Baroque fountain in the centre of Plaça Espanya was commissioned at the last minute in 1928.
Designed by Josep Maria Jujol who was a great collaborator of Gaudi.




* where was this *
Plaça Espanya- BCN

for more inspiring skies, visit Skywatch today.

" Perruqueria "

would you love to have your hair cut in this salon?
Wash and Cut - 12 - 18 euros Feminine
Wash and Cut - 10 euros       Masculine

I just love this dated façade.
believe me, it looks better at night though.

* where was this *
Carrer del Pintor Fortuny
El Raval-BCN

" Qué esta haciendo ? "

This guy was obviously preoccupied with what he's doing.



From the looks of it,
I think he bought something from the bookstore.

* where was this *
somewhere in the streets of
El Raval-BCN

" Santa Maria Del Pi "

Its façade is attractive as its interior.


 

Although hard to get a good shot without people walking around.
The rose window placed on the middle is a definite stand out.




along with its gothic inspired architecture.
 






* where was this *
Plaça del Pi -BCN
metro: Liceu
 

" Santa Maria Del Pi "

If you're a fan of old churches with much history,
then I suggest a visit to Santa Maria del Pi.
By walking, it's best if you start at Las Ramblas and find your way inside the confusing streets.



Santa Maria del Pi was built between 1322 and 1453,
an example of Catalan Gothic arhictecture,



wide and spacious, it has one of the largest and most beautiful rose window.



the stained glass details, once up close is mind blowing.

 

It is also where St. Eulàlia's crypt is located.

* where was this *
Plaça del Pi -BCN
metro: Liceu

" Ajuntament de Barcelona "

this is what I do when stuck in traffic on top of the decker bus.
I was two feet away from the sign.

* where was this *
seen along the road- bus touristic-BCN

" Maremagnum "

Further ahead Rambla del Mar as you walk through the wooden bridge,
is the hippest mall in BCN called Maremàgnum,
designed by Piñon and Viaplana as a modern, glass and chrome design,
this structure makes one gaped as you look up and see its cool reflection
from the quay, to the port and more!



in fact, both of us are in this foto! can you see us?!

I'm joining the weekend reflections by James.
for more cool reflective shots,
click here.

* where was this *
maremagnum-
rambla del mar- BCN

" The Two Towers "

I would've missed this plaza, if it weren't for these two gigantic torres
amidst the glaring sun.



These two Venetian style towers located at the heart of Plaça Espanya,
announce the beginning of the Fira, which is the trade show era.

This is another angle I took and
the sky was shrouded in deep blue that day.

for more inspiring skies, visit Skywatch today.

* where was this *
Plaça Espanya-BCN

" Fleca els Angels "

If you wish to taste some of the local sweets along El Raval,
then, perhaps you would like to visit this
quaint cafe almost infront of MACBA (museum),
called Fleca els Angels which may mean Flock of Angels.



I didn't notice the signage at first till we were about to leave.
Instead, I was tempted at its display of fresh cookies, meringue and more.



A nice Filipina lady welcomes you inside,
I tried asking her the names of those cookies,
but she talked so fast (en español, por supuesto) that I literally can't catch up. ^-^



they were divine, though, a bit 'too' sweet for my taste.

* where was this *
Fleca els Angels ( cafe )
Carrer dels ángels
infront of MACBA-BCN

" Un monton de Almendras "

for those who have a sweet tooth,
freshly baked Almendras con Cafe...
es siempre una combinación muy perfecta. ^-^

* where was this *
Fleca els Angels ( cafe )
Carrer dels ángels
infront of MACBA-BCN

" A room with a view "

Hotel Jazz made our BCN stay muy inolvidable. (unforgettable)
when we asked for a room facing the street,
this is what we had, literally a small balcony, not that I'm complaining,
I know how room size matters in Europe,
It looks across Hotel Inglaterra,
and the streets of Catalunya and Pelai.

* where was this *
Carrer de Pelai- Hotel Jazz- BCN

" Las Golondrinas "

If your feet got tired from too much walking.
Another way to explore the Barceloneta area and its environs is to take the
Golondrinas- "swallow tour ",
like a boat taxi, but mostly for tourists.
It runs short trips around the harbour.



Because we went there during Winter, the ride didn't seem to be a good idea.
But the tour would've been interesting.



and here's an iconic figure along rambla del mar,
unfortunately,I couldn't find any information about it...




* where was this *
Rambla del Mar
Port Vell- BCN

" Rambla del Mar "

Rambla del Mar is located right at the heart of the mediterrenean sea,
It is a perfect place for people watching.



take this one, the lady in Burberry scarf clearly knows I'm about to take this shot
and she nonchalantly walks passed by the camera. ^-^



It is also an ideal spot for bird watching,
and see these huge and small sailboats and yachts alike.
Certainly, a nice stroll for a lazy aftenoon to ease your mind off worries.



* where was this *
Rambla del Mar
Port Vell- BCN

" Rambla del Mar "

For some reason I have vague recollections of my trip to Rambla del Mar.
Probably, It was the least of my favorites.
still, the weather didn't disappoint us,
and something you should not omit in your to-go list either.



It welcomes you with this handsome wooden bridge and
high undulating curves and arches.



How to get there:
take the Metro and get off at Drassaness or Barceloneta.

* where was this *
Rambla del Mar
Port Vell- BCN