Padrera- roof and courtyard

Padrera- roof and courtyard
Originally uploaded by chriskoehn.

Baquiera Beret skiiers

Baquiera Beret skiiers
Originally uploaded by chriskoehn.

Our first side trip, to this great ski area i nthe Pyrenees, turned out to be great fun.

last goodnight

last goodnight
Originally uploaded by chriskoehn.

From the apartment hallway, Ansel and Camila share a hug (sort of) with Nicho looking on. Liliana, thier friend from Mexico, is in the background. Note the catalan arches of brick and timber above the kitchen.
We had an early flight out the next day, and were sad to leave our great friends and Barcelona. Ansel and Camila have promised to bring their old codger parents back when Sagrada Familia is finished- in 40 years. See you then!

Ruth @ sunset- Girona

Ruth @ sunset- Girona
Originally uploaded by chriskoehn.

we had a great time walking the length of the wall around this great old city. Ruth enjoys the beautiful sunset. The pyranees and the rest of the old city of Girona are to her right.

Padrera- roof and courtyard

Padrera- roof and courtyard
Originally uploaded by chriskoehn.

from the roof of Gaudi's Padrera- an amazing apartment building from the 1910's. The figures are all chimneys and ventilation stacks. Each room in the place has a window- kid's rooms to the courtyard (for quietness)- a revolutionary idea in the early 1900's.

ruins climbers, Girona

ruins climbers, Girona
Originally uploaded by chriskoehn.

Kids will be kids- heck with the history- let's climb on this 1,000 year old wall and see how much trouble we can get in to!
Nicholas, Camila, Rainer, and Ansel.

dragon slide

dragon slide
Originally uploaded by chriskoehn.

Catching Rainer on the dragon slide adjacent to the train station, while we await our train to the old walled city of Girona.

Museu Maritim

Museu Maritim
Originally uploaded by chriskoehn.

The ship is 16th C (the last galleon to be used in battle) and the building is 14th C. Ansel and I visited the Museu Maritim one day and learned all aobut Barcelona's sea going past. The Meditteranian used to lap against the front of this building- it was the biggest shipyard in Europe until the 1800's.

fountain Placa d Espanya

fountain Placa d Espanya
Originally uploaded by chriskoehn.

An amazing light, sound and water whow, repeated every Saturday night since the 1920's. Amazing and beautiful.

Rainer at the maze

Rainer at the maze
Originally uploaded by chriskoehn.

The kids had a blast finding their way through this maze. And watching the filming of a music video (directly below Rainer).

Mae West

Mae West
Originally uploaded by chriskoehn.

Dalis' Mae West. You be the judge.

musical walkway, Montjuic

musical walkway, Montjuic
Originally uploaded by chriskoehn.

An entire musical park at Monjuic- a mountain in Barcelona. When the kids jump on these rubber steps, notes are played. One of many active, musical playgrounds. The kids had a blast.

Dali museum- Ruth

Dali museum- Ruth
Originally uploaded by chriskoehn.

A side trip to Figuares (Spain) to visit the birthplace and masterpieces of this influential surrealist. The car is in a courtyard. It rains inside the car and plays classical music. Freud would have a field day.

sagrada school

sagrada school
Originally uploaded by chriskoehn.

This is the school built for the worker's children at Sagrada Familia. It endures as one of his most influential works. The "church" is in the background.

La Ribera street

La Ribera street
Originally uploaded by chriskoehn.

In the oldest surviving part of the city, where nothing is newer than the 124th C. fun to wander.

Sagrada stairs

Sagrada stairs
Originally uploaded by chriskoehn.

Inside one of the old towers at Sagrada Familia church- Gaudi's masterpiece. It's been under construction for over 100 years, with 40 or so to go.

chocolate bullfight

chocolate bullfight
Originally uploaded by chriskoehn.

The closest we came to a bullfight.
Chocolate was introduced to Europe in this city, and is still a major product. This is at the Chocolate Museum (!!) where everything is edible and I needed to be physically restrained.

Ansel @ Plac de Catalunia

Ansel @ Plac de Catalunia
Originally uploaded by chriskoehn.

Yes they're flying rats, but it's fun one time..

giant cat

giant cat
Originally uploaded by chriskoehn.

Playing on the artwork. Only in Barcelona..

Parc Juell

Parc Juell
Originally uploaded by chriskoehn.

Originally meant to be a development for the wealthy, it is now a fantastic public park. This was to be the guard house.

Baquiera Beret skiiers

Baquiera Beret skiiers
Originally uploaded by chriskoehn.

Our first side trip, to the Pyranees- good skiing and a great time.

Camila at Parc Guell

Camila at Parc Guell
Originally uploaded by chriskoehn.

Parc Juell was created by Antonin Gaudi, the famouns architect, over 100 years a go. A magical place.

toothless duo

toothless duo
Originally uploaded by chriskoehn.

Ansel is 11 months older (Camila had a birthday while we visited) but they are equals in toothlessness.

onion eaters

onion eaters
Originally uploaded by chriskoehn.

A Catalan delicacy, broiled green onions dipped in a wonderful cheese sauce. Delicious!