In my last post about Barcelona, I focused on Gaudi's remarkable architecture.
In this post I thought I'd focus on some of the sights that brought a smile to my face.
In front of the cathedral we were delighted to find a brass band playing and circles of people dancing.
The steps were sedate and I was somewhat surprised at the serious expressions of the dancers.
I learned that they were dancing La Sardana – the Catalan National Dance. This Barcelona Catalan dance is a symbol of Catalan unity and pride. Perhaps that was why the dancers looked so serious.
In one dancing circle, the ladies all wore traditional footwear.
In another group, this elderly man's deep concentration caught my attention.
On another visit to the cathedral we encountered some entertaining buskers.
I'm a sucker for live street music and these guys were very talented.
I sat and people-watched in the Plaza Catalunya. The City Tour buses were busy with tourists queueing.
Everywhere you look these days you see people taking Selfies. The manner in which some of them take their Selfies often give me a chuckle.
Yes, it was a fun post. I, too was surprised at the serious expressions of the dancers.
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked it. I didn't spot a single smile on any of the dancers faces which seemed a little sad to me because I always think of dancing as being a relaxing, fun thing to do.
ReplyDeleteThose dancers all need some happy pills:) Maybe this was something like their 100th dance in a row and they were all tired?? I love the old guy really trying to remember his steps. The lady beside him seems almost bored. I love these pictures and the one at the end just makes me want to be in Europe.
ReplyDeleteYes, they were so serious, Birgit - but I'm happy to know you enjoyed these photos. :)
ReplyDeleteI loved the little white dancing shoes.
ReplyDeleteYes, what serious faces. I couldn't help wondering what they would think if they saw us Brits performing our national dance - The Birdie Song!
Oh my goodness - don't even joke about The Birdie Song as being our national dance, Helen!! :) :)
DeleteWonderful pictures! A good overview of a great Spanish city.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Darlene - glad you enjoyed these posts.
DeleteYou've definitely whetted my appetite for the city - fortunately my stepdaughter has a flat there - unfortunately up several flights of stairs with no lift. Forgive me if I've said this before!
ReplyDeleteAnd you haven't been yet, Liz? If I had access to a flat in Barcelona I'd be flying over there all the time - stairs or no stairs. :)
DeleteOh I love that picture of the people dancing :)
ReplyDeleteAnd they congregate to dance in front of the cathedral every Sunday morning, Keith. :)
DeleteI love the seriousness of the dancers. They seem to have missed the memo about dancing being fun :)
ReplyDeleteI wonder if it's because they regard 'Catalan unity and pride' as deadly serious, Joanne? :)
DeleteGreat fun to see the people surrounding the architecture. Very serious dancing indeed. The old man is my top pick. Great capture of his intensity.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sue - as soon as I saw him, I just had to photograph him.
DeleteLovely. It's nice to see how other people live and... dance.
ReplyDeleteSeeing how other people live is one of the joys of travel, isn't it, Bish?
DeleteBeautiful! The dancers do seem unusually somber don't they?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sandra - yes, an unusually serious bunch of dancers! :)
DeleteIt's beautiful that in a city as cosmopolitan as Barcelona they stick with their traditions. I've seen this too.
ReplyDeleteSelfies! Why are people so self-obsessed these days? It's funny sometimes.
Spaniards are a very proud race and they embrace their culture enthusiastically. (I've never understood the attraction of Selfies - but suspect it might be an age thing!!)
DeleteIt's beautiful that in a city as cosmopolitan as Barcelona they stick with their traditions. I've seen this too.
ReplyDeleteSelfies! Why are people so self-obsessed these days? It's funny sometimes.
Ditto! :)
DeleteSusan, you capture the joie de vivre of Barcelona's (and Spain's) people beautifully! Must return soon.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alison! Yes, Spain is on my regular visiting list. :)
Deletei love Barcelona. There's a brilliant sparkle to the city and such a sense of history. I loved the concentrating gentleman dancing. He's focused on the moment and keeping his feet doing what he wants them to do.
ReplyDeleteYes, Barcelona is one of the great cities of the world. As for that elderly gent - he really caught my eye and made me want to capture his spirit of concentration. :)
ReplyDeleteSo awesome! I want to go. Next time will you take me along? ;) I'd sit all day just listening to the street performers.
ReplyDeleteSure thing, Crystal! :)
ReplyDeleteI've never been to Barcelona, or indeed, most places, so it's lovely to get a flavour from someone who has!
ReplyDeleteThat's what I like about peoples' travel blogs, Liz - we can't visit every place, can we? I'm glad you enjoyed this post.
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