Life's a Stitch

Reus is the birthplace of Barcelona's famous architect, Antoni Gaudi, who is best known for the design of La Sagrada Familia church, Parc Guell and a number of large homes and palaces in the area.

I was in Barcelona once without C and toured La Sagrada Familia. Unfortunately on a return trip together the lines were too long for C to have the tour. This trip he wasn't interested in battling the crowds, but I was determined to have him learn more about Gaud's work as I was sure he'd enjoy it. Many of C's photographs of texture in nature, and his former work in stained glass, reminded me of Gaudi's projects inspired by nature.

We read about Gaudi Museum in Reus, a charming city of Art Deco and Nouveau architecture, located near Tarragona.

The exhibit was a more in depth view of Gaudi's work and life. I was right, C enjoyed it, his comment summed it up "I thought Gaudi was some crackpot designer and now I know, he was a genius."

When Gaudi was a child his report card rated him low in intelligence and he grew up to be a brilliant architect. Unfortunately, while exiting the Sagrada Familia one day after work when he was in his 70's in the 1920's, he was hit and killed by a street car. In reality he wouldn't have lived to see his finished cathedral as it is so huge it is not yet complete.

We stopped for lunch and met a family of six from Scotland. We were all shocked at the size of the pizza they ordered. 

Then they told us a second one was ordered as well! They offered to share, but we had already had a three course lunch. When the time came for them to refuse having it boxed up to take back to their all inclusive resort I took them up on their offer to share by asking for a slice to be boxed. Turns out the server boxed all the leftovers, enough for two meals. Luckily our AirB&B apartment has a kitchen.

On to Tarragona, with extensive examples of Roman ruins throughout the town, integrated with the modern city. Here are a bank built right into the ruins of the Roman circus and modern buildings utilizing Roman foundations, some originally built in 150 BC.

Tomorrow: Tarragona