Barcelona Shawls

The colors and patterns that I saw in Barcleona

inspired me to make these two nuno felt shawls within days of my return.

Barri Gotic

There are several reasons why I want to go back to Barcelona, not the least of which is to roam through the narrow, stone paved streets of The Barri Gotic again. This part of the city, my favorite, dates back to the 14th and 15th centuries, when it was built inside the old Roman walls. Today, trendy restaurants, tapas bars and unique shops are creatively housed in these old buildings, and sit side by side of Roman ruins and the remnants of ancient churches.

An arched passageway leads to the courtyard of an old church.

Some of the streets are so narrow, and the buildings so old that

you can almost shake your neighbors hand across the street........from your balcony.

one street leads into the next.....

Perfect for a stroll day or evening.

Each passageway is an invitation of discovery.

Little cafes in small squares bring light into the dense streets, and

provide a place to meet friends and neighbors,

and stay connected to the life of the neighborhood.

I think I could enjoy living for a while in this kind of urban area. The fascinating streets, the old and older buildings, the lively plazas, interesting shops, restaurants and cafes, museums, and history everywhere. So, maybe not to live in Barcelona, but certainly worth another visit.

Sunny Barcelona

We returned last week from a holiday in Spain. We visited Madrid, Granada, Sevilla, and Barcelona, my personal favorite. Gorgeous, and classy, with the unique charm of Gaudi and his fanciful structures to add spice to the mix, Barcelona has it all. A meeting place for us, was The Arc de Triomf, a beautiful arch at one end of a wide pedestrian walkway. From there it was a short stroll into the medieval part of the city, the Bari Gotic, and the lovely Picasso Museum. I couldn't get enough of those narrow streets, architecturally rich with wonderful restaurants and unique shops, and history.

We walked by the arch many times and the fellow below was always there, playing his trumpet

On this sunny Sunday, after a long stretch of rainy weather, people were out walking and visiting. This group of children were drawn to the music. As their parents visited with friends, they were more than happy to sit and listen
I have lots of wonderful pictures of Spain, from the narrow ancient streets of the big cities, to the countryside with it's endless hills of olive trees. I'll post them in bits and pieces for all to enjoy.