Friday, March 18, 2011

Playing around

So. I got myself a new toy!
A LG Optimus 2x touchscreen mobile phone.
I‘ve never really been a fan of touchscreens. Mostly due to my big fingers and my aversion to apple. The company, not the fruit. I quite like apples. As they say: an apple a day keeps the doctor away, depending on your aim of course.

So when I browsed the net and came across announcements and reviews of this particular phone I decided to go for it. Which I obviously did as I‘m typing this with my big fingers on a smallish onscreen keyboard...slowly.

Instead of telling you my reasons for getting it, i suggest you google some vids of the phone instead. This is one of those times when a movie is better than the book.

I shall, however, thoroughly use LG Hammer (you CAN touch this) and let you know whether I made a good buy or a great buy.

So far it has certainly lifted my spirits on this unexpectedly fierce snowing day. And if it lives up to its promises I‘ll be able to use some of the very nifty androis apps to keep you posted on even more details of my boring life and exciting travels to come!

Hope you have a fantastic weekend!
Njoy

P.S. if I had taken that photo three hours earlier, you would have seen zero snow.


Monday, March 14, 2011

City of Gaudi

Sunday morning started out good. Left the hotel after a good night's rest and set off.

I have a kinda weird way of going about exploring a new place. I pick a certain destination and head for it taking a zig-zagging route along whatever catches my eye.

So, taking a stroll along the almost empty streets of Barcelona, I made my way past Plaza Catalunya and headed to Illa de la Discordia: a block with buildings by four of Barcelona's most important Modernista architects that I've never heard of. Well, except for Gaudi.


Above is Casa Lleo-Molera. Below on the left is Casa Amatller and on the right, my favourite, Casa Batllo by Gaudi. Like so many things in Barcelona, it ain't pretty. But it is something intriguing, don't you think?


I actually missed the other one, but looking it up on the net, it's easy to see why. Compared to those three, it is kind of "normal".

The next stop was Casa Mila, but unfortunately I could not get inside.


The following are just some random pictures that were taken on the way to the Sagrada Familia.

















After several blocks of walking to and fro I spotted the towers in the distance and headed for the Sagrada Familia, Gaudi's project that he spent the last years of his life on. Work started on the cathedral in 1882 and it's anticipated completion date is 2026. I don't know how to describe it. Just...look at the pictures and decide for yourself.




There was a row of people stretching around the corner to go inside, so I opted to wave it goodbye and head for my final point: Park Gaudi.




The Sagrada Familia from a distance.







And after an exhausting day of walking up and down the streets, up a huge climb to Gaudi Park, I took a taxi back to Catalunya plaza, got something to eat and headed for the bus back to Girona, snapping pictures all the way.





Oh, and I was also treated to some impromptu marching bands.


Remember, remember....I don't think I'll forget you, Barcelona.


So where to next? You're guess is as good as mine at this moment.