Before we head back to the U.S. we decided to take a trip to Spain - which we have been wanting to do forever but just never had the time or money. Finally we had a bit of time and a perfect opportunity to go. The Gains, a couple in our ward, was planning on going to Barcelona and we figured it would be fun to go with a young couple and enjoy ourselves together. So, we took a quick, cheap trip to Barcelona the weekend from the 16th to the 19th of July. We had fantastic weather and all of us enjoyed the sights, the charm of the city and the break from work, or just everyday life. Here are a few pics of highlights. We saw a ton more but were just a bit picture lazy.
This is a view from our hotel window - we faced one of the most important sights of Barcelona - the Sagrada Familia. It has been under construction since 1882, so it is nearly impossible to get a pic without cranes in it.
Here we actually walked to the Sagrada Familia and got a close up of one of the sides. An impressive church supposedly to be completed in 2026. We shall see. All over Barcelona you will find primarily Gaudi's art. This church is one of the examples.
We didn't want to tire Tristan out too much by visiting a billion sights so we took him to this playground we found just out front of the Sagrada Familia. As you can see the backdrop to his playing is awesome.
This is a view from our hotel window - we faced one of the most important sights of Barcelona - the Sagrada Familia. It has been under construction since 1882, so it is nearly impossible to get a pic without cranes in it.
Here we actually walked to the Sagrada Familia and got a close up of one of the sides. An impressive church supposedly to be completed in 2026. We shall see. All over Barcelona you will find primarily Gaudi's art. This church is one of the examples.
We didn't want to tire Tristan out too much by visiting a billion sights so we took him to this playground we found just out front of the Sagrada Familia. As you can see the backdrop to his playing is awesome.
"Auf die Plaetze, fertig, Feuer, LOS!!!"
"Look, she's got curls too!!" or in Tristan's own words:"Ight, ight, ..."
Posing at the end of "La Rambla", the major shopping street.
We saw most of Barcelona the lazy way (I didn't feel like much walking). We sat atop a Hop on Hop off bus with earphones in our head. Tristan loved it.
Becky and Luis
Honestly, they did have a good time, I just caught them off guard. ;)
Becky and Tristan with their arms leisurely over the railing, taking in all the info and sights.
One of my favorite places in Barcelona: Park Guell (again Gaudi art everywhere!!)
Tristan on the mosaic gaudi lizard
On top of Mt. Tibidabo there is a church, the Temple of the Sacred Heart. Beautiful outside as well as inside. We took a little furnicular up the mountain and had lunch with a spectacular view over Barcelona. Then we visited this really nice church. It has a Christus on top of it and inside, though surprisingly small, it stores some magnificent mosaic pictures in the chapel that to me seemed a bit unusual for a church. I have posted one of the mosaics below.
When in Spain you obviously need to have some Spanish food like TAPAS and PAELLA. So that is what we had nearly every evening. Very delicious food!!!! Tristan gobbled it all up. His favorite was the paella and the chicken croquetas. Yum, yum.
Ha, and the best was, we were actually in Spain on one of the most historic days. The day they won the FIFA World Cup for the very first time, they played in South Africa. There were parties till late into the night. It was great to be able to celebrate with the Spaniards. Here the National Palace on Plaza Espana where they had large screens to show the game. Tons of people were there to cheer Spain on.
Tristan did so well on the flight. He was flirting with the good looking flight attendants the entire time. Really, he got so much attention - and he wasn't the only little boy on board. Here he is enjoying a cookie he received from one of his favorite attendants. ;)
And a quick inflight film to finish off our trip!
