I will try to continue my blog as a way to study and reflect on my experience and to document some of what I learned about when I was in Spain.  Today, I post a few pictures that I took at Casa Mila , along with a video that I found on their official website that is a fantastic artistic rendition of how Antnoni Gaudi's  works are inspired by nature.  If we can inspire children from our rural communities  in similar ways--to use what they know well, the place and land that they live,  to inspire and create new and innovative things and ideas-- what a great thing that would be!  

While I was in Spain, I made sure to document Spanish landscapes, architecture  and customs that were different from the small town of Warwick, Massachusetts to share with the children in my class,   But I also looked for similarities- so that the children could use these to  make connections to what they know and help them realize that all people, no matter where they are from, all have things in common.  Here are a few shots 

This morning, I started off with a bus trip to Monserrat--Over a thousand meters high.   We drove out of the city and up into the mountains – it was amazing. … And Curvy… And high.   The landscape definitely reminded me of some of Gaudi's buildings.

​The monastery itself was beautiful. While I was there, I wandered about the trails that surround the monastery.  Around each  corner was a little treasure for me to find.

When the bus return to Barcelona, I decided to wander about to try to find the Gothe district.
As I ventured out, I found narrow streets and alleyways. I took  a left, a right, another left, left, right  and suddenly-- right when I thought for sure I was lost-- there was Barcelona cathedral. I was not expecting to see it but it rose up before me, giant and beautiful.  The sign in front of the cathedral said bare arms were not permitted, so I put on a long sleeve shirt that i had packed in my backpack and wandered inside. Even with my fear of close spaces and heights, I continued on and piled in to the teeny ancient elevator that took me to the rooftop to overlook all of Barcelona.

After gazing at this for some time,  I went on my way out of the winding streets and back to the hotel for a brief break,

I had received a coupon to to to a free Flamenco show.  So out I headed again on  the subway.  The show took a quite a bit of wandering to get to.  But when I got there,m I got a lesson on how to dance the dance myself! And then watched a fun show before I walked back to the hotel again – this time, finally, without getting turned around. And now tomorrow I'm on my way home again.

I have loved wandering around Barcelona and getting to know some of its sites and people.

a bit Yesterday I felt pretty awful. I was nauseous, and felt like I was going to pass out. I packed up my hotel things and headed down the street. This time I did better in the subway, but spent over an hour wandering around trying to find my hotel. Cell phone would be very helpful next time. But I did get to see a lot of the city and meet some nice people who help me on my way.

My new hotel is stunning! Old architecture with the new flair. When I finally got here my room was not ready so they sent me up to the rooftop patio for a free drink. After refreshment and a bit of food I set out once again on the subway to see La Sagrada Familla.

Everywhere I looked there was something new, A new spire, a new sphere, a new person or creature on the façade. Inside was a stunning as well with arches and alcoves an amazing light. Each side was different.

Today I headed to Placa Cataluyna. There I decided to take a hop- on hop-off bus to tour the city, and thought to myself, maybe I should've done that from the beginning. The only thing I lost in doing this was the hat that I bought before I boarded (I was actually proud of the hat, as i used haggling skills to get it), which blew away in the wind.

I got off the bus at several stops to explore and then another bus would come along in five or 10 minutes to pick me back up after I was finished.  Much easier on my feet.  Many places that I have gone by subway have required more walking than it actually took to walk to the site in the first place

It was a great way to spend the day exploring and save my feet and energy. The package I got includes a trip tomorrow to Montserrat and a free Flamenco dance show. I know, I know… Touristy… But I had a great day

Yesterday was the last day of the creativity workshop. One thing I was realizing yesterday was how connected we all really are. There were people from all over the world in our workshop. We all had many more similarities than we did differences. People talked of their children, their homes, their politics, their. passions. When I have been lost, people of helped me – even if they didn't understand my language they tried, a smiled.

I was turned around several times yesterday while trying to use public transportation system by myself. It was all overwhelming to have a language I can understand, writing I can understand… sound for Milyer to some of the children I know?

Speaking of being human, today I am sick – maybe the food maybe no sleep – who knows? I will move to my new hotel in another hour after I have rested some more. Hopefully I will then have energy to explore the last few days I am here.

​Hopefully my blog is making sense. I am typing or voice recording on my teeny tiny iPhone.

Today and the creativity workshop, we learned storytelling strategies. We also have been interviewing people in the group and presenting introductions to the rest of the group--another form of storytelling. We wrote postcards to three different people to experience viewing the different voices we lose while writing. This seems like a great way to teach children to write with and recognize voice in writing.

after the workshop there are always assignments – things to do and find in the city. Today we went to a model Spanish village and explored there. We have been walking wherever we go. I have noticed everywhere I go now forms in nature that Gaudi has used in his work and other artists that were probably influence d by him. The village had beautiful architecture and the best thing about it was there were true local artisans making and selling and shops along the streets. Strangely, there happened to be music there which was a high school band traveling Europe from Pennsylvania. What a great opportunity! I films them playing and talked to the kid about how they came to tour Europe with her band and recorded this as well.

tonight was a holiday, Festival of Sant Joan. Celebrating summer solstice. We went to the beach to watch fireworks and festival events around the city.

I am definitely an. Amateur, doing what I love! Tomorrow more Gaudi.

there are so many creative people from so many different countries and cultures in my workshop! I've been so busy the last two days, I have not had time to add to my blog.

Yesterday we talked about famous creators in the Creativity Workshop and the importance of creativity to all occupations – science business --any occupation requires flexible thinking order to succeed. We wrote both alone and with partners using imagination. Stretching exercises.

We have had several assignments to carry out during her afternoon, finding objects ,photographing, sketching in coffee shops--things to get us outside our comfort zone and challenging us into more creative thinking. I've discovered so much little gem around Barcelona I would never have found otherwise.

Yesterday my friend Lena, from Jordan, and I walked to port Vell to PortOlumpic from our hotel .The landscape was stunning. I can see where Gaudi he got his inspiration. The port is kind of a peninsula. We walked all around the edge. Bicyclists shared our past with us. The buses and the taxis have a lane of their own as well. We walked back up La Rambla amongsr vendors. We wandered down narrow alleys of ancient amazing architecture to find little shops and churches.

We stopped in Plaza Catayluna when we heard drumming. A group of young drummers was putting on a performance near the fountains. They were wonderful! Went to talk to them after they finished neither of us spoke each other's language but they were so happy to "talk "to me!

Today we visited visited the museum of art. The building itself was huge atop a mountain and overlooked another mountain. I will post pictures below. I can't describe the feeling of being able to see some of the ancient Spanish art and even a Picasso! None of the artwork was covered or fenced. Amazing!

​can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.

this day we learned about famous creators. We also learned about the hero's journey. The hero becomes a hero by learning and teaching and bringing back magic to the community that will save them. This in my mind guided my discovery today of some of Gaudi's work--and what a journey through magic it was!

Me, being a lover nature, could see its influence throughout all of his work. Can you find it?How inspiring!

Below I post several pictures from my day. It is late at night and I just returned. I will Think and write and explore more tomorrow.

soon I will try to figure out how do use images from my camera to apply here. The images for now, are from my iPhone.

It was a long day on the plane with very little sleep. But I was amazed at how smoothly the air travel went. On and off I got with passport in hand, Only having a couple of change in the pocket and overweight on the baggage infringements.

We exited the airplane. to an empty basement room . I decided to take a taxi rather than try to find a tourist desk upstairs. This was first for me, as I had never been in a taxi before! I am learning so much.

When I got to the hotel I came up to my room to organize my things. Then I decided to explore. Anyone who knows me, knows what a big deal this was.

​ I started off walking the block, Making sure I could get back to the hotel. Then I just kept walking! I ended up in a beautiful Square and spent time wondering about inside and outside of buildings. I ended by climbing to the top of the stadium to take in a 360° view of the city and then stopping off at a tapis bar for tapas . and a cool Mohito ( non-alcoholic).

Now it is 9 PM Barcelona time and I'm back in my room. I have so many more questions now about the buildings and architecture and the museums and the history. Tomorrow is another day, and I'll begin my class and find more places to explore.