Posts Tagged ‘Barcelona’

 

Balance in Barcelona

September 7, 2009 at 12:03 pm in On The Street, Yoga Practice | Please subscribe!

Dandayamana Janushirasana at the Bullring

My month in Barcelona was a different experience in many ways and in reflection, I can say it was all about balance or trying to achieve it. Despite the Barcelona studio owner not embracing my journey as others have, it didn’t seem to matter; any lack of interest just created space and time for family. That’s was what this month was about and although the script was thrown entirely out the window, each day was spontaneous, a pantomime at best, an unruly circus at worst but I wouldn’t change it for the world. In fact, it was perfect!

One night (no doubt over a glass or two of Sangria) we set a goal of taking photos of all 26 postures at different sites around Barcelona.. unfortunately the circus act dominated this event but we managed quite a few. Here they are on my Balance in Barcelona Flickr Album.

Check ‘em out and if I can release the index finger, I’ll finish them off this month in Vancouver!  Stay tuned.. this place rocks!

 

Gracia Festival, Barcelona

August 25, 2009 at 7:53 pm in On The Street | Please subscribe!

Gracia Festival

We were lucky enough to catch the Gracia Festa Major during our stay in Barcelona. The Gracia Festival is where the streets of the Gracia neighborhood come alive from 15th – 21st August with the streets festooned with artistic designs and decorations.

This year the festival is dedicated to Nova canco, the anti-Franco musical movement that was born in Catalunya in the 50′s. In 1942, 70 streets and 5 squares were decorated; by 1977, there were less than 5. This year I’m not sure how many participated but there were more than enough to keep you busy for a few nights. Prizes are awarded for decorations incorporating recycled material, lighting, artistic detail and tradition.

Our apartment is within walking distance of this huge sprawling festival so it was awesome to spend a few nights walking amongst the crowds, wandering down the many streets; canopies full of light and colour.

For more photos, check out my Flickr Album!

 

falling for an old dogs tricks

August 16, 2009 at 9:35 pm in On The Street | Please subscribe!

Spending an evening strolling the streets of Barcelona’s Barri Gotic can take you anywhere your feet or heart desire. Along streets, through plazas, into bars abuzz. Then adrift again, down vacant alleys, around bends before the fun begins again. You can eat your way though as many hours as tapas, indulge in sights and sounds and sangria, and once you realize the time is nigh, the metro falls silent and the night bus becomes your ways and means.

It was just such an evening, when suddenly, my thoat snatches my inhale, my face morphs from wanderlust to incomprehension to dread… oh shit! My falling eyes are pulled left. The shadow comes to life revealing a perfect row of teeth, framed by erect incisors jutting from a hairy bottom jaw. Wet heat licks its way between my toes, around my flip flop, up my foot, and my eyes find their resting place. The biggest, sloppiest, smelliest dog turd I have ever seen caresses me in all the wrong ways.

The bottom jaw prowls towards me, attached to an enormous black dog, hind legs higher than the fore, giving him more menace than most… I freeze. He comes very close, eyes locked with mine, he sniffs around my foot then breaks into a proud grin, “yep, that one’s mine”.

What was it you said Bikram, “Don’t let anyone steel you peace”?

 

snakes and ladders

August 7, 2009 at 7:48 pm in On The Street | Please subscribe!

pretty in pinkWhether I’m walking, running or riding to my Bikram Yoga class, I zig zag my way across the board map of Barcelona. A roll of the dice sends me tumbling or climbing, a snake down, a ladder home; a Carrer del here, a Gran Via there, a Passeig perhaps; exploring my home for the month, my next cafe solo, my next baguette.

I’m loving the city layout, each intersection framed by buildings with chopped corners, housing the many bars, cafes and shops that keep the local vibe alive.

Torre Agbarel Gotic Carrer