The rain in SPAIN ...

The rain in Spain does NOT stay mainly on the plain …

In Bilbao there was rain.

In Barcelona for almost a week it either rained slow-and-steady or it poured.

We bought umbrellas and we got wet sightseeing in the rain until our final bright-sunny day in Spain.

This is the final post for Aroundtheworldwjudy for Spring, 2013 voyage of Semester at Sea.

HOWEVER - the BIG news is that I will be sailing again with Semester at Sea for Fall, 2013, again teaching Drawing and Collage.  The Fall 2013 voyage is the Atlantic perimeter itinerary - from London to Russia, down the coasts of Europe, again down Africa, then across to Argentina and Brazil and up the Amazon River before ending mid-December, 2013 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. 

Soooooooooooo , as before, you will continue to get email notifications of postings for the on-goingAroundtheworldwJudy after August.  Stay tuned for more world travels....

In Bilbao we stayed on the 10th floor of the Hotel Malia (there in the golden section of the building) with a view, below, of  the city behind this park.  

On the day of debarking from the MV Explorer, our heavy luggage was stored in Barcelona at our future hotel, the Europark and we proceeded to the Barcelona airport to realize my long-held dream to visit the Guggenheim at Bilbao. The long anticipation was not disapointed. 

Bilbao is a charming, intimate yet exciting, and extremely pleasant city in the NW corner of Spain.  The Guggenheim Museum commands a location and presence along the River Nervion which meanders through the city, channelized by city walls and a great variety of buildings. The Old City is nestled into the larger semi-modern city with stunning examples of contemporary architecture side-by buildings of 100-200 years.

 The rains came for us in Bilbao. In the rain we walked the network of old streets.  In the rain we walked the system of walks along the river.  In the rain we enjoyed a full day inside at the Guggenheim.  And in the rain, we enjoyed a tram ride to the Old City for wandering and dinner.

When we arrived back in Barcelona it was raining hard.

And chilly cold too.  We added layers and brought back the heavier jackets and scarves. 

It is easy to understand why Barcelona is now one of the ‘it’ cities to visit.

Between showers, Placa Catalunya our cultural hub in Barcelona.

On the positive side, Barcelona is a wonderful city to visit no matter what the weather.

On the positive side, rain in the city is very good for reflective photographs.

The Spanish people of Bilbao and Barcelona were gracious, kind, and mostly enjoyable.

The Spanish food was delightful.

We encountered numerous Semester at Sea folks as we wandered Barcelona.  



Flamenco dancers, the Archeology Museum of Barcelona, museums, and coffee shops attracted our time and attention - as they were all inside and out of the rain. 

A train ride and ascent to Montserat with Joan Strause and Bill Greenfield (in the rain, of course) made for a delightful day. 

Rain on the cable ride up, rain clouds in the mountains behind the Monastery at Monserat.

An eerie yellow storm sky. 

"The Pope as the Starving Buddha" Joan remarked.

Bill Greenfield, Joan Strouse, and Melvin in the Placa Reill.

Placa Espana 

Towels and washcloths, not cakes....

This store carries only one shoe style - in medium width only,  unfortunately, or fortunately.....

Remarkably different window displays in Spain from earlier countries visited. 

The buildings of architect Antoni Gaudí i Cornet are unique, entertaining, breath-taking, and timeless. Isn’t it marvelous that the Barcelona city fathers and the architectural patrons bought his services and supported his Modernism (Art Nouveau) sensibilities.  And my, oh my, how Barcelona today capitalizes on his wonderful design creations.

One of many structural models of Gaudi displayed in the museum below Sagrada Familia.

The remarkable tree-like columns in the nave of Sagrada Familia.

The unfinished Sagrada Familia cathedral towers over the city and inspires tourists and Barcelona citizens alike.  

FINALLY on our last day in Barcelona the sun came shining out.

Gaudi’s Parc Buell, high above the city, was crowded with local and international visitors on the ONE sunny day we enjoyed in Barcelona.

Though we did not elect to enter and pay the steep admission prices for Gaudi’s buildings open to the public, we were intrigued and bedazzled by the exteriors.