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Accueil 2760
Museu d'Historia de Catalunya
Diorama of farming when the region was called Al-Andulus, as dry farming of wheat was transitioned in the 11th century to more varied produce through introduction of the technology of irrigation, by the Moors (Muslim rulers). Museum traced Catalonia back to ancient Roman rule, up to the 20th century leadership by and after Francisco Franco. Educational short history of socioeconomics, coincided with two teachers giving lectures to classes of school-aged children. (Museu d'Història de Catalunya, Placa de Pau Vila, Barcelona, Spain)
Pavimento Miro
The mosaic, 8-metres in diameter, was 6000 terrazzo tiles designed in 1976 by Joan Miró, intended to be unprotected, with pedestrians walking over it every day. With the surface deteriorating and colours fading, the Barcelona City Council restored the artwork in 2006 to mark its 30th anniversary. The pathway is busy, so inattentive travellers are likely interrupt any unrehearsed photograph. (Plaza de la Boquería, La Ramblas, Barcelona, Spain) 20221004
Museu d'Història de Barcelona
In 1995, a clock found in disuse at Boqueria market was handed over to the museum. It was traced back to 1907, by the watchmaker of the Royal Academy of Sciences of Barcelona, Josep Besses. This was part of the temporary exhibition "Alimentar Barcelona. Ciutat, proveïment i salut" [Feed Barcelona. City, supply and health] on food security within the municipality and region. We preceded that show with a walk underground through the ruins of the old city governed by Rome from 10 BCE until the fall of the empire. (Museu d'Història de Barcelona, Plaça del Rei, Barcelona, Spain) 20221014
La Sagrada Familia
On the Nativity Facade, rode to elevator up to 65 metres of the 98 metre height, and started the 504-step descent on the spiral staircase. A few minutes down, through the chain links covering an open window, the pinnacles on the apse pediment feature sculptures of the spring fruit of the Virgin Mary. e.g. rose hips, oleaster, dates, olives and grapes. Other visitors were patient with our careful stepping on shaded steps, our thighs were wobbly near the end. (La Sagrada Familia, Calle de Mallorca, Barcelona, Spain) 20221004
Platja de la Barceloneta
View from Barceloneta Beach down the coast south slightly after dusk might not have been improved 10 minutes earlier, because the set doesn't set when facing east. The seaside neighbourhood is a peninsula, with restaurants and hotels ringing the waterfront. Coming from a hotel on the west side, the bus route took us by two large cruise ships at port. (Platja de la Barceloneta, Barcelona, Spain) 20221003
Estacion Madrid - Puerta de Atocha
Boarded Renfe Alta Velocidad Española [Spanish High Speed Train] to travel from Madrid to Barcelona. Up to peak 300 kph, the journey took 2.5 hours. Countryside terrain arid to almost desert, first travelling northeast to Zaragoza, and then eastbound with more civilization approaching the sea. (Estación Madrid - Puerta de Atocha, Plaza del Emperador Carlos V, Madrid) 20221003
Museo de Historia de Madrid
A litter to transport sick patients by the Hermandad del Refugio de Madrid [Madrid Brotherhood of Rufuge], founded 1615, for the needy and homeless on city streets. Learned that Madrid as primarily a centre for royals and finance, with few craftsmen or manufacturers before the 20th century. In addition, the disconnection between Spanish royalty and the common people led to the fall of the nation to Napoleon in the early 1800s, and issues with leadership for many centuries. (Museo de Historia de Madrid, Calle de Fuencarral, Madrid, Spain) 20221002
Chocolateria San Gines
Two orders of hot dark chocolate fondue with 6 churros each, to end off a full day of touring Madrid. At 9pm, the outdoor tables had a queue waiting, but we were seated within minutes at an indoor table of the cafe founded in 1894. DY calculates the calories higher in the churros than in the chocolate, possibly forgiveable with the 26,000 steps taken this day. (Chocolatería San Ginés, Pasadizo de San Ginés, Madrid, Spain) 20221001
La Casa Encendida
Courtyard exhibits for "Ecologías para otras arquitecturas" [Ecologies for Other Architectures] two-day show. Foreground TAKK [Mireia Luzárraga + Alejandro Muiño] 2022 (No)humanos: Refugios para cotorras [(Non-)human: shelters for monk parakeets] wooden slats and metal mesh catenaries covered with mud, branches and grass hope to attract descendants of the Argentine parrots who have become invasive and are under extermination. Background Pareid Architecture (2022) Desmantelamiento gamificado: Variaciones de una cabaña primitiva [Gamed dismantling: variations of a primitive cabin] made of reclaimed wood held together by clamps, is the minimum needs for a shelter for a physical computer gamer's hut. (La Casa Encendida, Plaza de San Martin, Madrid, Spain) 20221001
Puerta Del Príncipe
Changing of the guard at the Royal Palace of Madrid on Saturday 1pm is for show, as only state ceremonies have been done in the building since the official residence moved in 1975. On the hour, the two guards and the horses are changed. Arriving late for the previous half hour, we strolled the greenery of the Jardines de Sabatini to the north, where stables were formerly located. (Puerta Del Príncipe, Calle de Bailén, Madrid , Spain) 20221001
Huertas
Started wandering this neighbourhood before dusk, found a welcoming restaurant after considering tapas bars that serve similar limited menus. Seated at a high table with view on the intersection, observing groups of friends convening and wayfinding. Madrid is active at 10pm, lots of pedestrians providing eyes on the street. (Calle del Leon, Huertas, Madrid, Spain) 20220930
Antón Martín Market
Hardly the first, but maybe one of the brighter and attractive displays of jamon iberico hanging from racks to attract customers. I'm unlikely to make a meal of pork, since I'm a vegan, but I enjoy the vibe of thriving public markets. Located in a less-touristy local, this public market seemed to offer a lot of Japanese food options. (Antón Martín Market, Calle de Santa Isabel, Madrid, Spain) 20220930
Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
On the 3rd floor terrace, Miralda (1981) Tri-Uni-Corn sculpture of fibreglass and corn husks of ox, pig and lamb on a table, ready for traditoinal slaugher in the Kansas way. Large museum with wings added to a quadrangle, particularly rich early 20th century works by Pablo Picasso and Joan Miro on the second floor. Arrived ready to view art after 4pm, after airplane landed at 11am, checking out hotel, having lunch, and figuring out the bus system (Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Calle Santa Isabel, Madrid, Spain) 20220930
Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge, International
Arrived 3h45 minutes before flight to Madrid, after driving in local traffic in rush hour from Scarborough 1h40m. Long queue in priority check-in, followed by diversion from E gate entrance to D gate queues, then crossing back across airport to international gates. Travel for academic meeting has a last minute extension for university lectures, we're happy to be in person rather than online. (Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge, International, Pearson Airport, Toronto, Ontario) 20220929
The Oud & the Fuzz
Entertaining in the urban Toronto style, on a rainy Kensington Market Pedestrian Sunday, with family visiting from Vancouver on business. Under the backyard pergola shelter, the band played bossa nova while we sampled Armenian small dishes. Walked to the local brewery for a 6-pack variety of flavours, enjoyed back in the apartment a little further south in Spadina Chinatown. (The Oud & the Fuzz, Kensington Avenue, Toronto, Ontario) 20220925