 
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
Barcelona, Spain - October 6, 2009
|
|
NOTE: This is an old entry that I never posted, from Barcelona on May 8, 2006. Happy reading!
Dear Readers,
How did it get to be May already? The last date I clearly remember, I was in Stockholm, completing sessions for my new album. That was February. Now, here we are all of a sudden, and the album is being edited, the liner notes and introduction have been completed, press materials are being assembled, and my American/European 2005-06 season has drawn to a close.
As you know from my last entry, last month was a whirlwind. This past week was a good conclusion to that tour. I'm on the airplane at the moment, heading home, and I'm pretty excited. I'd planned to be gone for only a week, yet I wound up on the road for four; because of this, I'd brought less stuff (though all I wound up short on was shampoo), and I'd mentally paced myself to be absent for a brief time. Though I'll only be home for a few days, I'm looking forward to cooking in my own kitchen, sleeping in my bed, doing laundry, finally getting a state-issued I.D. (I've been relying on my dictionary-thick passport, awkwardly taking it with me when I go out to bars and clubs with friends), and generally enjoying domestic things.
I had intended to walk around Barcelona a bit more than I managed. The concerts were at odd times on consecutive days, the first taking place at 9 pm, the next at 7 pm, and the third and final at 11 am. I had been looking forward to fitting in some shopping after that final concert, since I couldn't catch a plane till the next day (today) anyway, but the unfortunate thing is that in Barcelona, all shops and department stores are closed on Sunday, so all of the stops I'd put off on previous days were inaccessible yesterday.
What I did get to see was the great, still-in-progress Gaudi masterpiece, the cathedral of the Sagrada Famiglia. I've heard it described as a drip sandcastle and a barnyard, but I love the details of the building and the constant change of the architecture - not just from one year to the next as it continues to be built, but also the time-sensitive erosion of some of the softer stone used, the sheer number of different materials incorporated into the design, and the great range of stylistic influences visible from any angle. I got to explore it by day and see it lit by night; during the day, I took lots of pictures. It was a great people-watching experience as well. There was a pretty long line to ascend the towers, and progress was made one step at a time, as would be expected, though the slow pace tested the patience of some. At one point, calls of "Allez!" rang out through the spiraling interior of the tower.
Rats, I've just been interrupted by a sociable flight attendant and have to get going. I hope the next entry will be more thorough.
Yours from the road,
Hilary
|
|
|
|
|
 |
