Today we are in Barcelona. We got into port an hour late this morning because we encountered 80 MPH winds last night. This is the most we've ever experienced on a ship. I think it was too much for the stabilizers because we were rocking like crazy most of the night. It began after sunset, so we couldn't see what the waves looked like. Of course, neither of us got much seep last night.
Despite the lack of sleep, we went out on a tour called Barcelona and Gaudi. Antoni Gaudi was a unique architect who built a number of buildings around Spain. He is known for not liking straight lines. As we toured the city, our guide made a special point of showing us the buildings Gaudi designed. The first 2, the Figueras House and the Mila House, we just paused to look at from the bus. Our first full stop was at Park Guell. This was supposed to be a garden city, commissioned by Eusebi Guell in the early 1900s, but never finished. The idea was to build about 60 houses in the park, but people didn't want to live that far from the main city of Barcelona at the time. The gardens, elaborate entrance, stairs, and public square were built, but only one model house. Guell donated it to the city as a public park in 1923.
Our last stop was at the Temple of the Sagrada Familia (Sacred Family). This amazing church was begun by architect Francisco de P. del Villar in 1882. Antonio Gaudi took over a year and a half later, working on this until he died in 1926. Construction was put on hold during the Spanish Civil War and not picked up again until 1952. Now there is a team of about 300 people working to complete the church by 2026. Gaudi's designs are so unique, so full, that you really can't appreciate them unless you see them yourself.
Although this was a good tour, the guide rushed us through faster than I would have liked. At the first stop she told everyone where the rest rooms were, then refused to wait until all the women got through the long line. When the 10 minutes was up, she just continued the tour, leaving 4 of us behind to find her and catch up on our own. I was lucky that Ray waited for me and watched which way she went, but I heard the others say they went the wrong way and didn't find her until they got to the bus. That's the first time I ever saw a guide leave without making sure all the group was with her.
The worst thing about today is that Ray lost his small camera. We think he may have left it on the bus. Luckily, we have been backing up our photos every night, so we only lost the ones he took today and we still have my videos. He brought another, larger camera so he can still take pictures on the rest of the trip, but he really liked the one he lost. It was small and easy to carry on these tours. Usually the tour buses check and send any items they find left behind back to the ship's lost and found, but this guide was probably in such a hurry she didn't bother. Oh well, I know what to get him for Christmas now.
Tomorrow's port is Cartagena, Spain. It will be another short tour so, as long as we can get a good night's sleep tonight we should have a good day. I think the weather is supposed to be a little warmer.
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