Parc de la Ciutadella
Barcelona is one of protagonists in my life, but less so on my blog, which is unacceptable. To tell the truth, during all the years I've lived here I've gone around with a camera trying to capture what makes the city so magical for me. I'm not in the least satisfied with the project so far--ultimately our attachment to cities is emotional rather than visual and I expect I'd have no more luck if I tried with Vancouver or anywhere else. Nonetheless, here are some recent photos showing reasons why I love Barcelona... I expect a "... by Night" post will be coming along at some point!
Sometimes you wake up in the morning to music and the sight of horses, goats, and greyhounds parading down the street.
And giants
laundry flapping in the morning breeze
the park, reverberating with practicing drumming circles, lindy-hop get-togethers, pic-nickers, highly competitive table-tennis players, and who-knows-who else, on a sunny weekend afternoon.
More parades of giants
going for lunch on Sundays and taking along a whisky or grand-marnier flavoured cake from a local pastiseria.
burgeoning social protest: Plaça Espanya is blocked by protesters on the morning of the recent general strike.
Creative uses of public space: children use Rambla de Raval's famous Botero cat sculpture to get a better view of the stage during a public concert.
...and sunset on the beach.
18 comments:
I think you've managed to capture the magic of Barcelona in these pics...I certainly want to hop on the next plane there :) I've only been once but absolutely loved it and I'm rather envious that you get to wake up to that beauty every day :)
Thank you! I certainly get frustrated by my perceived inability to capture it. The truth is that, like anywhere, you get immune to waking up to it... but I force myself to appreciate it now and then!
IT looks so beautiful there!! I think these pictures are great!
But I know what you mean, it's so hard capturing a place you love because you never feel it matches up :)
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What a great post! I think it's tough to capture a city, regardless of where you live (unless it's a super small town) but you did a great job of showing the Barcelona locals. They are such a vibrant bunch, but also very relaxed. The sea was so incredible there and that little funicular that goes overhead to Montjuic made me appreciate it even more :)
Great pictures. You've given us a sense of the place.
I think you've done a great job capturing the beauty of Barcelona! Definitely so much to see and to enjoy, love the dress you are wearing is adorable! Can't wait for night pics!
Cess O. <3 The Outfit Diaries
amazin!! love it :)
xx
natalieoffduty.blogspot.com
holá Emily, mui hermosa la ciudad
e su vestido és lindo
besos rose jp
What I really enjoy about your photos of 'places' is the way you focus in on the details that make those places special and magical to you. Here, for example, is a Barcelona seen through your observation of its human activity (including the flapping of washing).
It just seems to have such a sense of community that makes my heart swell! It also seems like something out of a Disney fairytale which I also think appeals to me (:
Love these pictures. I remember the cat! When we were in barcelona, there was also a general strike and there was signs and people evrywhere. I do quite enjoy a proper strike, so much more impressive than what they can rustle up in the UK.
Breathtaking photos, I completely understand what you mean about it being more your emotions that make up your view on a city. You look so adorable, the sunglasses and dress are perfect, now can I eat the cake? x
You always make me feel a bit guilty about not appreciating Barcelona that much, you make it sound so nice!
Also I love that dress, you look so lovely :)
No, I think you captured the magic quite well!
Now, don't be surprised when I come visit ;)
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seriously though, I know what you mean about our connections to places being emotional rather than visual. Especially in memory, I often imagine a place to be cleaner, prettier, and brighter than what it actually is if I have fond memories of it--- the best is when you travel back to said place with someone who's never been there before and leading up to it you're like, "OH MAN, you're gonna love this, it's gonna be soooo great," and then you get there and they're "ummmm yeahhhhhh." Though, obviously this isn't quite the same for a place like Barcelona, which would obviously be very beautiful to visit in person (I've never been!). Also, the prospect of walking out the door into a parade of giants is pretty much the most charming thing ever.
@Julia: Oh, that totally still happens with Barcelona. Mostly because I think people will get bored like I do with some of the main tourist sights (very famous buildings, etc), when actually that's what they came to Barcelona to see, and they're a bit confused when I drag them down some random alleys to some random restaurant...
Parades of giants are a happy medium though. :)
I totally understand that connections to places are emotional and that is hard to every capture or convey. I've never been to Barcelona, although I'd love to, but you've made it look rich, colourful, dynamic, diverse and passionate - just as I expect it is.
Happy travels
From Brisbane, Australia
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