A Birthday in Barcelona!

Plaza Real near my hotel.

Twenty Years ago I visited Barcelona with two friends from Scranton during the month of February.  I said then that I would return during the summer.  Well I finally got that chance and can't say I was disappointed.  The weather was gorgeous and I got a chance to visit and walk along the beaches.

Interior of St. Mary of the Sea Cathedral, Barcelona.

In all honesty the crowds were intense.  It reminded me of Shea Stadium back when the Mets won the World Series in 1986.  People were everywhere and happy for the most part.  The largest crowds other than just walking around down La Rambla were for the Basilica of La Sagrada Familia:  Anton Gaudi's crowning achievement which is still under construction.  I've seen hundreds if not thousands of cathedrals in my years but never a church like this being built.  It is special and while I hate paying for to enter churches I felt this was different as it's still under construction.  When I first visited in 1995 Mass was only offered in the crypt.  Last year it was consecrated by Pope Benedict XVI.

Architect Anton Gaudi's Crowning Achievement. 

I didn't say Mass at La Sagrada Familia but at the Cathedral.  Everyone was very welcoming but that still does not mean it was not problematic.  Most of the Masses are offered in Catalan and not Castillian which is what we use in the States!

Basilica of the Sagrada Familia, Barcelona.

So on Saturday I celebrated my birthday.  I began on Friday night with a big meal at an Italian restaurant near my hotel.  It was a soup to nuts affair.  At first I was not happy to be seated next to the piano but I actually enjoyed it as I guessed all 12 of the selections that he played.  They were American and some Italian songs, but mostly American.  Some were easy (Hotel California, The Piano Man) others were more difficult (John Williams' theme from Jurrasic Park or Andrea Bocelli's Sogno).  It was fun.

Fountain in the Plaza Catalunya, Barcelona. 

Today was mostly just walking around.  I was a little burned from the beach on Friday.  Plus I concelebrated both the morning and evening Mass for Sunday.  After the Saturday night, the Cathedral was swarmed by some marching groups as there was some Galician Festival.  It was fun to watch as the people danced in front of the church as band after band came marching around the corner drums and bagpipes blazing.  Leading the procession was, of course, my good friend after five weeks Santiago!  After their special Mass, the procession of groups actually came right passed my hotel two hours later!

Statue of St. James leading the way.

After dinner and some ice cream.  I called it a night.  Tomorrow I am off to the seaside town of Tarragona which has surprise, surprise Roman roots.  I also head into another year after celebrating a birthday in Barcelona.

Bagpipers arriving at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Sea.