Guest Blogger: Alex
Wednesday, April 19th, 2006So a lot of the information I would normally give has been talked about. And as usual myWhat to do but to make a meaningless list of the best sites and interesting details left off about them. So in no particular order, here are the top seven sites we´ve seen, or as from now it will be known, the “Seven Wonders of Spain.”
First has to be Semana Santa in Sevilla. It´s like a KKK demonstration ran into a Brazilian float during Carnival and had a baby named Oktoberfest. We had the amazing fortune to be the only Guirí (or non-Spaniards) in a forty block radius due to hostal location, and made the most of it by finding a bar with uber cheap beer and food. We were sandwiched among the hundreds (thousands?) of Spaniards who pass their tickets down through their families from one generation to the next–very Green Bay Packers.
Second is the view from Park Guell in Barcelona. You climb all the way up this ultra modern park that Antoní Gaudí designed and see this spectacular view of Barcelona and the surrounding hills and mountains.
Third I give the nod to the Alcazar in Sevilla. The gardens go on forever and come about as close as possble to recreating a fairytale. Even with mossy fountains overrun by algae it still looked spectacular.
Fourth would have to be the flamenco show we saw. There were two singers, and a dancer that were terrific. But the guitarist stole the show. I almost proposed to him on the spot. His fingers blurred and wove a melody that needed no accompaniment. He was also the only one who looked relaxed, the other three seeming like they had just realized their mistake of downing an entire bottle of Beno.
Fifth I would give to Valle de Los Caídos. It´s essentially a huge mausoleum dedicated to those who died during the civil war, though it seems only one side (the winner) is actually buried there. Apparently the losers died building the place, which gives it a very sinister feel. Plus Franco is buried there, and I was delighted to see that his grave was barely marked. But it is spectacular in its macabre feel, sort of like something from Lord of the Rings or Jason and the Argonauts.
Six is the street signs in Madrid and the warning signs on the metro. They are ridiculous, but not very funny to describe. I´ll see if I can get the chicas to take some pictures of them for appreciation.
Seven is easily the Sagrada Familia. The inside is like an eerie, tree filled Dr. Suess novel and the outside has façades of distinction. One looks like a melting nativity scene and the other is a cubist impression of the crucifiction. But what other attraction can attract such a crowd without being finished? Or even halfway finished?
I´ll update and change the list as our travels continue as I´m sure that my opinions will on demand from this blog audience. Also, I just learned that some of my above material will be edited for mass consumption. For an unabridged version, I guess you´ll have to ask me in person.
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