All good things must come to an end. But our memories will never end. Nor will our appreciation for this opportunity. We have fulfilled so many dreams. Dreams that started when we saw faraway places in school books. Dreams reinforced by a life time of new events recorded in newspapers magazines and TV. And, dreams enhanced by so many movies. We have been there and we thank you for making it possible.
One last cathedral. It is build in the style of the English and French cathedrals we have seem. There are beautiful massive structures for choirs right in the middle of the cathedral. So that most of the people cannot see the main alter. I think most of the services are small enough so that the people sit between the choir stalls and the main alter, but I’ll bet that Easter finds some people without a view of the proceedings. The cathedral is beautiful. It takes some concentration to not think “another church”. They each deserve praise.
To get to the cathedral, we wind our way through narrow mid evil streets. There is always something special about walking through these streets where so many have walked before us. Plus, you don’t need to worry about cars.
I kept trying to get a picture of the yellow and white bicycles. Apparently, you can lease a bike for 30 Euros a month. This entitles you to ride a bike for two hours a day. The intent is to give you a way to commute to work and avoid the traffic. A bike is easier to move through traffic than a car or scooter. I don’t think you get the same bike each day. I think you go outside and take the first bike you see and then leave it wherever you finish your day. The tour guide asks if we know what they call these bike commuters: Organ Donors. Apparently, they have no helmet laws and the bikers weave their way through the heavy traffic. Anyway, I never go the picture, but I somehow managed to remember the story.
I did get a picture of a mail slot. Not just any mail slot, but one with a message. Like our hare and tortoise story, this mail slot tells a bird and tortoise story. Steady gets the best results. No offense to airmail, this slot was built well before the advent of airmail.
Then we see the Blessed Family Church designed by Gaudi. It is only about one third completed. This is breath taking. They are building like mad because the Pope is coming to consecrate the church this summer. I don’t think that they hope to complete it, just complete more of it. The tour guide offers that due to Latin heritage, they never finish anything on time.
And, then the guide points out this house designed by Gaudi – emphasis on the “di”. Wow, she got our attention. As usual, pictures from a bus window do not do the building justice, but trust me, it was memorable.
They pretty much kick you off the ship around 8:30 in the morning. Our flight doesn’t leave until 4:00 in the afternoon. The challenge is to get us and our luggage to the airport at the same time. And, we do not want to sit at the airport for 8 hours. The easiest way to do this is to book a tour of Barcelona.
The tour guide does her best to point out interesting landmarks and buildings. She is very knowledgeable and tells us all the dates and people involved. Soon I understand that in Barcelona, the architects are the “thing”. We are not told which bishop or king built something, we are told who designed the building.
We see lots of Olympics sites. And again, we are told who designed them.
See the Christopher Columbus Statue and old building pictures.
With all due respect, this poor guide is competing with the Rome and Egypt for limited space in our brains.
We arrived in Malta around 11:00 in the morning. Normally, we arrive while it is still dark or at least barely light. It is nice to be able to stand on our balcony and see the fortress.
