This Side Up

These arrows can be seen on a decayed wall near Macba museum (Museu d'Art Contemporani) in Barcelona. See Macba and the image on Google Map.

barcelona barcelona+photoblog barcelona+photos barcelona+pictures barcelona+photography barcelona+images nikon+d70s

Barcelona Retirees and Pensioners

Walking slowly they come usually in pairs, observing, judging, supervising, peeking through fences to keep daily control over construction sites in the city on their way to the elderly home or the park. They have their own weapons that they can point at you in a menacing way. Notice one of them hidden rather clumsily behind his back. They fear nothing and know about everything. They've got plenty of time. As part of their code of honor they can wear whatever they want to. Fashion is for the weak. Tough guys indeed with the experience of a lifetime. They are the retirees! Do you remember the post "Home Bad Home" published a couple of days ago. They were the ones and this was the fence. Check it. All my due respect to pensioners in Barcelona and the world.  

barcelona barcelona+photoblog barcelona+photos barcelona+pictures barcelona+photography barcelona+images nikon+d70s

Street Lamp Crown Detail in Barri Gotic, Barcelona

This kind of lamp is the most abundant along the streets in the old part of the city. You can appreciate on the ironwork a detail of Barcelona coat of arms.

barcelona barcelona+photoblog barcelona+photos barcelona+pictures barcelona+photography barcelona+images nikon+d70s

Home Bad Home

In plain daylight and quite near La Boqueria market in Barcelona there was this young couple sound asleep alien to passersby peeking up through the chain link fence. Two old guys stood right next two us, you know, retirees of those that approve or disapprove things up, nodding disdainfully. 

barcelona barcelona+photoblog barcelona+photos barcelona+pictures barcelona+photography barcelona+images nikon+d70s

Flag Waving Free

Arguments, disputes, quarrels and battles apart, I am going to concentrate on the abstract beauty of a flag waving in the wind, freely, against the sky. I can almost feel the battering of the cloth now and hear the murmur of a thousand causes and hundreds of deaths in the name of a land and those who on her, dwell. This is La Senyera, the flag of Catalonia. 

barcelona barcelona+photoblog barcelona+photos barcelona+pictures barcelona+photography barcelona+images nikon+d70s

Dali Standing on Barcelona Balcony

On the balcony of the Reial Circle Artistic de Barcelona there is this cardboard image of Salvador Dalí. This cultural institution is located at Carrer dels Arcs 5. Follow link above for a previous post.

barcelona barcelona+photoblog barcelona+photos barcelona+pictures barcelona+photography barcelona+images nikon+d70s

Via Laietana in Barcelona, Spain

Via Laietana, is normally a very busy street in Barcelona but not much if you go early on weekends. "Via Laietana was first projected in 1879 and started in 1907, with the aim of communicating Eixample with the waterfront, amid much controversy. The demolition of a large number of houses and the removal of the streets in the area was required to do so. As some of the traditional guilds of the city, some dating back to the Middle Ages, were located there, they had to be relocated in different parts of Barri Gòtic, notably Plaça de Sant Felip Neri. The first section to be built was named Carrer de Bilbao, which nowadays is a separate, shorter street that stems from the larger Via Laietana. The avenue was finished in 1926. Francesc Cambó, a prominent politician of the time, built his personal residence in the avenue. During the years of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) it was renamed Via Durruti." (via wikipedia). But get the whole story here and afterwards check the video of how it was built via w3.bcn.es

barcelona barcelona+photoblog barcelona+photos barcelona+pictures barcelona+photography barcelona+images nikon+d70s

Cornice Mask at Barri Gotic, Barcelona

When you visit Barri Gotic in Barcelona don't forget to look up to the skies. You'll see balconies full of interesting things, people leaning out of the window and staring at you, colorful towels drying up on improvised clothes lines. But wait, don't stop gazing. Keep searching near the roof. A universe of the most beautiful architectural elements will open before your eyes. This is a modest example: a sort of theatrical mask that stood out thanks to the morning light.

barcelona barcelona+photoblog barcelona+photos barcelona+pictures barcelona+photography barcelona+images nikon+d70s

Candy Mix

In my spare time I am beginning to take the first steps on the world of small things. I neither master the technique nor have the adequate gear so you may call this a house experiment. I set eyes on a bag of sweets at random. This is not publicity. I don't sell candy. But the brand name was there and it came handy for choosing the title of the post.

barcelona barcelona+photoblog barcelona+photos barcelona+pictures barcelona+photography barcelona+images nikon+d70s

Stray Cats Going Wrong Way

I have to admit the wall is not much clean. The wrong way sign was quite dirty too, believe me. But what the heck was the cat doing there? Maybe the neighbors were sick and tired of stray cats wandering down their alley? Perhaps it was a dog only way? Barcelona like many other cities is full of stickers, posters, graffiti, etc. Some with very good taste but the streets will look better if they were neat and polished.

barcelona barcelona+photoblog barcelona+photos barcelona+pictures barcelona+photography barcelona+images nikon+d70s

Street Shave in Barcelona

You can walk along the streets of El Raval and discover many Barcelonas. One of them is the Barcelona of the homeless people. They gather sometimes near a church as La Mercé and help each other. This young man had been washing his body before in a water fountain nearby. Then he got ready for this special free service: street shaving.

barcelona barcelona+photoblog barcelona+photos barcelona+pictures barcelona+photography barcelona+images nikon+d70s

Lion Head Door Knocker

This is a detail of a lion head door knocker on a building located at carrer de la Mercé 14, a small street paralel to La Mercé church, home of the Virgen de la Mercè, patron saint of Barcelona. To be more specific the knocker is located on the very corner of such street and carrer Boltres. According to historical records Boltres was a family that owned properties in the area in the XIV century. Check the place on my Google Map.

barcelona barcelona+photoblog barcelona+photos barcelona+pictures barcelona+photography barcelona+images nikon+d70s

The Boy and the Fishing Net

The boy and the f...ishing net. Yep, that intonation would suit the picture better. Gosh, wasn't the little guy crying like mad because mom wanted to leave and he was dragging behind to play a little longer. Kids! Aren't they lovely?

barcelona barcelona+photoblog barcelona+photos barcelona+pictures barcelona+photography barcelona+images nikon+d70s

Beach Volley at Premiá de Mar, Maresme, Barcelona

For sports fans, especially for beach volley enthusiasts I happened to take this picture recently while I was sitting in a bar terrace by the beach - Premiá de Mar, Maresme Coast near Barcelona. The color picture was fine but didn't convince me much so I used this sepia toned choice. I hope you like the moment. He smashed it if that's what you are wondering now.

barcelona barcelona+photoblog barcelona+photos barcelona+pictures barcelona+photography barcelona+images nikon+d70s

Perspective, Premiá de Mar, Barcelona

The place is just a small park in Premiá de Mar, a town on the Maresme Coast near Barcelona city. Not much to say here, just that the columns and benches directed the eye towards that man in the background.

barcelona barcelona+photoblog barcelona+photos barcelona+pictures barcelona+photography barcelona+images nikon+d70s

Balcony Drain Figure: Fish Head

Sometimes the most horrible and old fashioned facade adornment can be perceived or might be considered as art. This fish head that acts as a balcony drain in one of the many buildings built during the 60s and 70s in Barcelona might be considered kitsch by some or a beautiful retro water drain by others in a couple of years. Who knows?

barcelona barcelona+photoblog barcelona+photos barcelona+pictures barcelona+photography barcelona+images nikon+d70s

Cake Garnish

Obviously I forgot to mention this other stuff I found on top of my cake besides last post's strawberry. This garnish with leaves and fruit seems edible and I swear I've seen it lots of times but never gave it a try. Suggestions would be appreciated.

barcelona barcelona+photoblog barcelona+photos barcelona+pictures barcelona+photography barcelona+images nikon+d70s

Strawberry Leftovers

Sorry, I meant to show you the cake but I grew hungry. This is what remained of it: a miserable strawberry.

barcelona barcelona+photoblog barcelona+photos barcelona+pictures barcelona+photography barcelona+images nikon+d70s

Catalan Embutidos

Catalan embutidos or sausages may look gross indeed but taste good, believe me. My wife has just advised me not to publish this picture. I laughed. I know it is disgusting but that's what makes it more interesting! By the way, those of you with linguistic habits should know that "embutir" means "to stuff", that's why they call it sausages in English. We use "salchicha" for hot-dog-like sausages and "embutidos" for all the products prepared in the same way, i.e. stuffing meat and fat, generally pork derived, into the clean bowels or guts of the animal.

barcelona barcelona+photoblog barcelona+photos barcelona+pictures barcelona+photography barcelona+images nikon+d70s

Trixis in Barcelona

Trixis are mixture of tricycles and taxis and are one of the main means of transportation for tourists in Barcelona, especially when moving around the narrow streets of the old part of town, that is, the part of the city which used to be surrounded by walls. For more details check previous posts: Touristic Transport in Barcelona and Trixi Taxi Service in Barcelona.

barcelona barcelona+photoblog barcelona+photos barcelona+pictures barcelona+photography barcelona+images nikon+d70s

Drinking Fountains in Barcelona: Fighting the Hot Weather

Barcelona has a good number of drinking fountains similar to this although on many occasions they are dry. As far as I know the quality is pretty good and contamination is rare. Sometimes it is the presence of pigeons or pets that stop pedestrians from quenching their thirst. But let's not digress. During hot summer days these faucets are like little urban oases, so local authorities should give us perhaps a sort map to get to the nearest source.

barcelona barcelona+photoblog barcelona+photos barcelona+pictures barcelona+photography barcelona+images nikon+d70s

Reial Circle Artistic in Pignatelli Palace, Carrer dels Arcs 5, Portal del Angel, Barcelona

Walking down Portal del Angel street you get to the intersection with Carrer dels Arcs. There is a small building over there called Palacio Pignatelli which holds the Reial Circle Artistic (Royal Artistic Circle). This entity was founded in 1881 although its royal category was granted by Alfonso XIII in 1926. The aim of this non-profit organization is to gather all those persons interested in Fine Arts and support them in their creative experience. The place has held many important exhibitions in Barcelona. But I only wanted to show you a detail of the beautiful figure on its facade.

barcelona barcelona+photoblog barcelona+photos barcelona+pictures barcelona+photography barcelona+images nikon+d70s

Harley Grips Detail

Detail of Harley grips during Barcelona Harley Days 2008.

barcelona barcelona+photoblog barcelona+photos barcelona+pictures barcelona+photography barcelona+images nikon+d70s

Custom Harley Detail - Hot Dreams

Hot dreams is what you have when you examine in detail a Harley motor as the one in the picture taken during past Barcelona Harley Days 2008.

barcelona barcelona+photoblog barcelona+photos barcelona+pictures barcelona+photography barcelona+images nikon+d70s

Carrer del Bisbe, Barri Gotic, Barcelona

A snapshot of Carrer del Bisbe in Barri Gotic, Barcelona.

barcelona barcelona+photoblog barcelona+photos barcelona+pictures barcelona+photography barcelona+images nikon+d70s

Avenida Palace Hotel, Gran Via, Barcelona

I won't make the usual commercial about the hotel. Maybe you'd like to know just the address and find some info at their site: Avenida Palace Hotel.

barcelona barcelona+photoblog barcelona+photos barcelona+pictures barcelona+photography barcelona+images nikon+d70s

Lake Reflections, Lleida, Barcelona

The same place I showed you the other day in Lleida province near Barcelona: The Ivars' pond, late in the afternoon. I would like to thank you all for all the best wishes regarding my holidays. I am still having a great time in Miami, Florida. See you soon.

barcelona barcelona+photoblog barcelona+photos barcelona+pictures barcelona+photography barcelona+images nikon+d70s

Colmado Quilez at Rambla Catalunya, Barcelona

Located at Rambla de Catalunya 63 there's this old speciality grocer called Colmado Quilez. Besides the good customer service, the variety of high quality products makes this gourmet shop a must in Barcelona. You can find really good asparagus, anchovies, peppers, vinegar, caviar, foie gras, nougat and a long etc here. Not the cheapest place to buy but you can grab a thing or two. Maybe you prefer to sit in your car, put your feet on the wheel and contemplate the nice display of canned food and wine.

barcelona barcelona+photoblog barcelona+photos barcelona+pictures barcelona+photography barcelona+images nikon+d70s

Landscape: Ivars Pond, Lleida, Catalonia

I will be abroad till August 20th for my holidays but I will keep posting more or less regularly, you know, my own strange way. To start this period of peace and relaxation I wanted you to share a little nature with me. This is the pond of Ivars, a small town in Lleida which is also a province of Catalonia like Barcelona. I'll keep you all posted so come back often.

barcelona barcelona+photoblog barcelona+photos barcelona+pictures barcelona+photography barcelona+images nikon+d70s

Tom Waits in Papier Mache, Barcelona

To continue with my series of papier mache celebrities, I'd like to feature today, Mr. Tom Waits. Remember there were other famous characters or actors that appeared in Barcelona Photoblog in the past: John Lennon, Marlon Brandon as Don Corleone, Hugh Laurie as Dr. House and Woody Allen accompanied by Keith Richards.

barcelona barcelona+photoblog barcelona+photos barcelona+pictures barcelona+photography barcelona+images nikon+d70s

Platoon of Tin Soldiers

A platoon of tin soldiers at a shop near Barcelona Cathedral in Barri Gothic, valued in "just" 200 eur.

barcelona barcelona+photoblog barcelona+photos barcelona+pictures barcelona+photography barcelona+images nikon+d70s