Friday, April 10, 2009

Ola Barcelona!





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Before I go on with the preesnt news, here are a couple of photos from my final days in CZ. The first ones are of me with my Znojmo family, Pepa, Anichka and their daughter, Lenka. Theres a photo of us painting the eggs for easter. They do this every year and I love it. I know i said it last time i visited CZ, but i AM going to do it in Aus next year! Tis cool.

The next photos are of beautiful Cesky Krumlov. I have heaps more, but only put up this one. Then theres Hluboka castle and me in the grass at hluboka castle. See how awesome the weather was!?

Now Iḿ here in not-so-sunny Barcelona. What happened? Prague was supposed to be cold and Barcelona was supposed to be all summer and sunshine. Instead it is cold and rainy here and I find myself longing for Praha warmth. Got rather caught out by the cold today. I didn really dress for cold and rain (thongs are NOT appropriate), but kept saying, no, it might get better, dont make the trek back to the hostel just yet.
So the hostel Im staying at quite nice, but a bit of a trek from the main strip, about half an hour 40 minutes. But despite this I treked in and home rather than taking the metro. And felt VERY good to get exercise at last. I had planned to spend the day walking through the arty parks, being good friday and nothing open. But with the rain, I walked around the latin quarter, where there actually was some things open, but this is a BIG problem! I have become addicted to the spanish mosaic designs. They are so gorgeous with their tiny mosaics in royal blue, red, orange and white. Hard to describe, but if you know Gowdy, you know what I mean. I see all these things that Im like, ooo i want to buy that for Mum, or for Bob and Sals place, or for Ash or Lolly... then I think how i will probably murder myself later for having bought them when my back breaks from carrying them around! But well see, i didnt buy anything today, very restrained! But i did kill my budget. today was to be my cheap day, but i saw this gorgeous dress! And you know me! I just HAD to get it ;) Youll know doubt see it in photos later.
So that was my morning. I then went to a good friday procession which i had heard about on the internet. was supposed to start at 4, but I am in Spain, and 4 apparently means 5.15;) Was unbelievable though and definitely worth the wait. I was in the front row, though had this old guy behind me who apparently did NOT understand the idea of personal space. They seemed to think it necessary to have over a dozen police there, who took it very seriously. How they did this while wearing thoughs stupid hats, i dont know, but i put a photo up for your viewing pleasure. This guys in particular was VERY determined to ensure that know easter procession goers would step out of line.
The procession itself was unlike anything id ever seen. There were lots of people in these black peaked hood thingies. Then they brought out these HUGE floats. There were people crying out and one girl, not much older than me, was sobbing and could hardly stand. There were quite a number of people sobbing actually. It was very full on. The old pady in the photo did these amazing singing chants to the floats and many people were overcome with that. She really was amazing. And yes, that is a tiny peachface bird in her right hand. it is alive and she would gesture about with it and kiss it and the little thing just sat there and took it. This is the only photo I got of her, and I didnt get many of the people actually, as it did feel wrong to be taking photos of people in this important time for them.














So that was my day, and now Im pretty exhausted from all the walking. going to have an earlier night, I think, ready for a big day tomorrow. Will hopefully be nicer weather;)
I´ll try to do another post really soon, but theres these annoying kids staying at the hostel, who seem to think that UTube watching is a valid reason for taking up all the computers! Grr...
Love Love
(But not for thoughs kids!)

1 comment:

  1. Hey you,
    So I've been able to find five minutes to catchup on the latest with your trip.
    All the photos are absolutlely amazing! I particularly love the photo of you lying in the grass outside the castle...its stunning! the yellow dafodiles(?) are so beautiful...
    Oh and you have to tell me when you want to get started on painting eggs for Easter next year...it looks like a lot of fun...
    The photo of the policeman looks rather intimidating...i definetly wouldnt want to mess with him lol...but i have to say, even looking at the pictures of the people at the Good Friday procession is a little over whelming and full on....I always find intense things like that a little unbareable...so i can only imagine what it was like for you actually being amongst it...and the black hooded people i would find very overwhelming....but i guess all one can put it down to is just the cultural difference...Ive never seen anything like that in Oz.
    Im not really doing a whole lot...thinking of going out tonight but Im not real sure whats going on at the moment so I may not...maybe next weekend...I may end up going to Elle Sheedy's engagement party...did you know she was engaged? lol its so sweet, and she sounds so happy. Other then that just doing assignment work this week and also catching up with Rachael, we are gonig for a walk on the break wall and then having lunch somewhere so it will be great to see her.
    Anyway im off to get ready for work...so happy holiday rates today...DOUBLE TIME!! lol
    So good to hear your having a great time,
    till nexttime, xo

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