We could only peer in through a barred window, but it seems this is the old structure where bull fighting used to occur back in the day. We did see an ad for a fight in Marbella, but for the most part, I think it's a tradition that's mostly ended in Spain, thankfully. Still, remnants from the past still remain...
When we finally gave up our gallant effort to tour through the city in the rain, this was the first tapas bar at which we stopped. Two glasses of wine, a large platter of (overpriced) cheese, some local breadsticks that were overly phallic, and some positive thought later, we were sure we could brave the ever-tapering-down drizzle.
I got some pictures...
(Though the view isn't that spectacular, the colour of this wall called out to me. How very Spanish is this orange?)
...but though we tried, the rain beat us down.
The second tapas bar we visited this afternoon. Here, sauteed chickpeas with spinach and garlic, a small dish of giant olives, and two more glasses of wine. Well done, us.
Gigantic larger-than-life-sized vintage posters were quite impressive.
And just like that, the rain sort of stopped. We took it as a sign to get out into the great outdoors and explore the park nearby that I'd heard so much about. So out we went...
I can't recall with clarity if these are cherry blossoms or just regular old tree blossoms, but it was so beautiful to see this colour. Finally the rain stopped and we could just explore the springy city. Reminds me quite a bit of a video from Yeouido Park in Seoul as well as some pictures taken there.
I love watching other people watch art. I love seeing reactions and impressions; hearing the conversation that comes from the experience. It's so intimate.
This reminds me so much of the photography show we saw in Seoul last January.
This Central Park-esque place beckoned to me...
...and for good reason. It was BEAUTIFUL. Behold Plaza de Espana:
(looks like Spanish Venice, non?)
Thrilled that the rain stopped (because it really can affect my mood that much)...
Equally thrilled to snap a mother and son doin' their thing, livin' the dream...
I found this park just outside the Plaza de Espana (pictured above) and thought it was the most tranquil place on earth. The colours were gorgeous, the trees droopy and lazy...it was heavenly. Nathan and I got to talking along the banks of this small pond when something caught my eye...
...on this island:
Upon closer examination, I saw what looked like a thin, spindly tail. No...it couldn't be. I stared closer, getting itchier by the second. A second figure with an unmistakably rat-like tail chased after the first figure in what seemed to be a game between two rats. RATS. I just about passed out from exposure, when (as if this could get any worse) one of them dipped its little head out, confident as can be, and took a drink from the pond alongside which we were standing. I just about died from panic. I certainly DID lose my cool. I couldn't MOVE; couldn't do anything but bounce around from foot to foot, praying that they were confined to their island (they can't swim, right?), and not hiding in the adjacent bushes, waiting to crawl up my legs and eat me.
Nathan was beside himself laughing at me. He was hysterical for an entirely different reason: jerk. There was only a small path leading out from this hellish spot (see how quickly perception changes?) to the paved haven just over there, but I certainly couldn't brave that path on my own (as in GO FIRST), knowing now that the rats were watching, smelling my fear. Oh no.
Eventually Nathan calmed down and was able to forge his way through the tiny garden path so I could follow and nearly kiss the concrete that appeared beneath my feet. There IS a God...He makes concrete for sufferers like me.
Completely grossed right out, it took me a few moments to get my bearings before I could snap this beauty. I love how the sky looks after a day of rain. Sort of makes the rain more bearable.
The island is now known, unaffectionately, as Rat Island.
Funnier than this story was the reaction from the couple with whom we stayed in Barcelona when I told them. Their English comprehension and speaking abilities were both quite high, but my exaggerated story-telling ability (though there was no exaggeration needed for this tale) with my animated acting out of the events were just about too much to handle, even for me. I was grossed out all over again and they were laughing as hard as Nathan was when it happened. As IF that sort of thing is humerous. Har-umph.
Then we walked back to the city centre for some last-minute tours around. Nathan was gung-ho to find a chocolate croissant, but there wasn't much room to move around. Rows upon rows of chairs set up all throughout the city, diverting foot traffic to tiny rations of space, all so that spectators can get a glimpse of the magnificent (? More like freakiest thing EVER) Easter parades. Sigh.
Still, the whole thing looked pretty impressive, didn't it?
No comments:
Post a Comment