Barcelona, Spain
Café con Leche
“Eh, a Flat White does not exist in Spain. You have un café con leche.” Yeah thanks, a-hole.
El Café de la Perdera, Passeig de Gràcia, 92, Gràcia
Today was Gaudí’s Day. We decided to bite the bullet and pay to go inside “La Pedrera”, the last residential project Gaudí ever worked on. Around the turn of the century, Spain was booming with business - thanks to rapid industrialization. Being an architect during that time meant you could find commissions, many from those who came into new wealth. Roser Segimon and Pere Milà were part of the Spanish bourgeoisie and sought to develop property for rent. Gaudí designed La Pedrera for Segimon and Milà to live in, but also to gain an income on. There were many disputes between the architect and the developer, and in the end, the property demonstrated a huge compromise. La Pedrera was received with negative reviews (people called it a garage for zeppelins), and it was then because of this that Gaudí dedicated the rest of his life to the Sagrada Família singularly. F*ck the haters.
We had tickets to see the Sagrada Família in the afternoon, so we headed back to the Mercado de la Boqueria for lunch. We met up with another blind date - Kyle, at El Quim de la Boqueria. We impatiently waited for a spot at the counter, drooling over what we others eating. We had a fine mix of gambas, baby squid (which we sent back because it was too gritty with sand), olives, and fried artichoke hearts. Yennie seems to struggle at ordering food at most bars, as she points very directly at things others are eating and says, “I want same,” and we end up getting something else entirely. For example, “mussels” become “mushrooms.” 😑
The Sagrada Família is a thing unto itself. There is on other place like it on this Earth. It is a crowdfunding project that has spanned 134 years, fully funded by private donations and individuals. It is also a labor of love, sustained by the vision of one fanciful and staunch architect, who transcended the craft of his age. Mad respect for Gaudí. 🤘
The museum on site includes a few of the original drawings and models that survived the Spanish Civil War, and what you bear witness to is Gaudí’s evolving creative process. He was a lifelong learner, constantly researching and experimenting with new forms and seeking inspiration from nature. However “crazy” he was during his time, his vision and craft has endured up until today.
Gaudí was struck by a street car and mistaken for a beggar when he passed away. He was a deeply devout Catholic and had no Good Samaritan for himself. Gaudí is actually buried in the crypt of the Sagrada Família. And the poetry and irony of him being buried on site as the sounds of construction still go on into the 21st century are irrepressible. Gaudí has thoroughly impressed us; we left Barcelona, inspired to relentlessly pursue our passion - just as he did.
Montseny Malta
Companyia Cervesera del Montseny - Local Craft Beer
El Prat Airport, Barcelona
