Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Artsy Fartsy

Over the past weekend I went to Figueres and visited el Teatro Museo de Dalí, a museum devoted solely to the work he created throughout his lifetime.  Everything you look at is so intricate and interesting it is mind boggling to think how one person thought of such ideas in his head.  I mean, sometimes I have trouble thinking of what to blog about, let alone create an entire museum full of sculptures, paintings, and collections.
Every step you take in this museum you are surrounded by art.
When you look in front of you, you see a beautiful picture.
If you climb up to the top of the steps, you see the bigger picture.
But then you look up, and there's more.
From afar, I thought it was Abraham Lincoln.
But then you go up close, and realize it's the bare back of his wife, whom he was quite infatuated with.  All around the museum are various paintings, distortions and angles of his wife, who is nude in some form or another in primarily every piece of his work.
In the US I have gone to quite a few museums, all which showcase many different artists, which is nice because you get to see a variety of paintings.  But now that I have been to the Picasso Museum here which was only his work, as well as the Museum of Dalí, I have become extremely fond of visiting a museum full of only one artists' work. It is truly amazing to see how they lived their entire life as a painter.  Walking through collections of only one artists allows you to see every stage in that persons life, the good, the bad, the dark, the happy, and it really gives you a story behind the artwork along the way.

I know, I know. I'm pretty artsy fartsy right now.

euniece

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Rules Shmules

Sometime I truly think rules were meant to be broken.
Yesterday we went on an excursion to Girona - beautiful city (I am not sure if ugly cities even exist in Spain?) And we were given a list of places to find and take pictures of throughout the Girona during a scavenger hunt. Needless to say, our lack of map reading skills aren't quite up to par, so instead we roamed around on our own, and ended up having the best time ever.  Even though we didn't complete the scavenger hunt, or take pictures of the things on the list, I would say our pictures of our Girona adventures, are still pretty darn great, if I do say so myself.
Everytime I see old couples walking hand in hand, it melts my heart.
Apparently if you kiss the lion's butt, you will be granted entrance into the city without being questioned, so of course I had to kiss it!
 Note: The thought of actually kissing something that the entire world has kissed is quite disturbing, so I faked it. Shhhh!
Besitos from Girona <3 
Oh gosh life is so so so tough. What's a girl to do!




euniece

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Hangry Hambuger

I was hangry.
I wasn't in the mood to fight my way through hundreds (okay maybe not hundreds, but at least 60!) of people to place my order.
But it was worth it.
Sure it may not look like much, but trust me, it was one of the most simple yet delicious burgers I ate.
This can be biased considering I was starving, but the restaurant was so packed with locals, so I knew it wasn't just my extreme hunger that made it taste incredible, because other people seemed to love the place as well.  I definitely plan on going back though, because with a bottle of champagne costing only 3 euros and it being a five minute walk from the beach, why not make it a regular spot!
  
Barceloneta is one of the most wonderful relaxing summery places in Barcelona.  There are tons of boats and docks, lots of outdoor restaurants, and GELATO!!!
Yea, I know, I wore the wrong shoes, therefore no beach walking for me!
But that's okay because there was plenty of walking around the stores!
I'm in love with spring 12 fashion.
The sleek and structured lines, mixture of soft fabrics with leather, and subtle pops of bright color.
I would go shopping, but instead I'll just save my money for traveling and simply take pictures of stuff I
I'm being savvy Mom! Aren't you proud!?

: )

euniece

Saturday, January 21, 2012

I'm a big fan of...

 walking home from school - my neighborhood is gorgeous.
 I'm a big fan of my delightfully singing roomie, providing humor at the dinner table with her lack of spanish speaking skills, it's okay, you're getting there Adrienne.
 I'm a big fan of fake smiling because I am not sure if the person taking my photo is going to run away with my camera - yikes!
 I'm a big fan of the Picasso Museum - Que Fantastic!
 I'm a big fan of going to Spanish mass, even though I can barely understand the priest. At least the 'peace be with you' handshake still feels the same!
 I'm a big fan of living right next to a pastry shop and cafe.
 I'm a big fan of it being socially acceptable to have a dessert midday, everyday. I mean, I do walk a lot.. so it's okay right??
 I'm a big fan of cafe con leche. 
And I am especially a big fan of walking through the metro at 8am on my way to school, and being reassured, "don't worry, be happy".
euniece

Friday, January 20, 2012

La Pedrera de Gaudi

Before I came to Spain and would tell people about my study abroad plans, the first thing they would mention was the incredible one of a kind architect Gaudi.
 
Quite honestly, I never understood how a man could be such a genius for creating buildings; but today, I finally understood.  It's more than just a building in the middle of a city; rather it's a piece of artwork, a large sculpture, a usable masterpiece. You can see why.

He is famous for creating unique buildings which curve and bend in ways other artists didn't think of.
How?
By wanting to bring the round trunks of the trees, the swerving edges of seaweed, the twisting husks of corn, all to the city through his work. He would even hang chains as seen above, have a mirror below, and would emulate the concave shapes of the chains as though they were defying gravity. 
\
 
After an overload on Gaudi, I ended the day with the ocean and palm trees.
Not too shabby.


euniece