Alas, pickpockets (like this guy in red) are a HUGE problem in Barcelona, especially on the metro and train stations where tourists are preoccupied, easily distracted, and drop their guard. Notice how the blonde lady is staying vigilant. Avoid crowds and use common sense and you’ll be ok.
The more reasonably priced hotels have old world charm and no elevators.
And some of the facilities can be quite “cozy”, as seen in this shared aseo.
Sagrada Familia… by far, the most beautiful, audacious, jaw-dropping piece of architecture I have ever seen. So much so that it alone is enough to justify a trip to Barcelona!
Valley of the Fallen is a very strange place indeed. It does not seem to know what it is dedicated to. Is it the tomb of Dictator Francisco Franco or a memorial to all the victims of the Spanish Civil War?
It seems that it cannot be both. As such the monument remains a subject of intense controversy.
Controversy aside, the site is an impressive engineering and architecture project (the cross is 500 feet tall)
“The rock” is taller, steeper, and more massive than I expected, topping out at 1400 feet elevation. Geographically part of the Iberian Peninsula, but politically eminently British.
Looking North across the airport runway into Andalucia
Heads up: If you climb the rock, you will meet the Barbary macaques, whose manner and body language make it quite clear that you are in their house. Don’t dare to bring food along. Don’t even carry anything that merely suggests you have something fun to eat or you will lose it.
Guggenheim MuThe Guggenheim Museum alone makes Bilbao worth one night’s stay.
Super cool Sergio, who generously picked me up as I hitchhiked for the very first time in my life (in the rain with the clock ticking… a story better saved for another time).
I would not have suspected the guy in red to be a pickpocket but I know to have to be so careful around train stations.
I prefer the amazing Montserrat to the Sagrada, I think.
Great shots, Frank.
👋 Hi. You clearly are an amazing writer. Your attention to detail is flawless but to be honest it’s your ability as a photographer that gets me. Fabulous x
Well, well, when you go somewhere, you mean it… You got Spain quite covered. (How’s your Spanish?)
As a musician, you must be curious to hear other cultures’ music?
Be good.
I can handle simple transactions in Spanish, but don’t ask me to have a meaningful discussion about geopolitics or ancient Greek philosophy. And yes indeed, I try to sample every aspect of each culture: language, food, art, architecture, customs, attitudes, and la Musica!!!
Another wonderful collection going round so many places in one country. I’ve been to a few and your photos remind me of what they were like, so I know all the other places I haven’t been are represented accurately!! Great to see these Frank. The Gaudi stuff totally caught my attention. What a vibrant lively place Spain is.
Thank you yet again for the most kind words of appreciation, Kath. And glad to take you on a wee jaunt down memory lane. Spain is vibrant and lively indeed. And thanks for attesting to the honesty and integrity of my visual storytelling. Ha! Big hug.
It’s definitely the best travel destination I’ve been to. I spent a month traveling the length and breath, and I don’t think I uncovered a quarter of what’s available to be discovered. My next visit (if and when the current insanity in the world calms down) will be to the Basque region, which I didn’t get to visit the last time.
Thanks for checking in, Lenny. Yes, Spain is like a dozen different countries in one. You’ll really enjoy the Basque region and her people. I think you’d deeply resonate with the vibe there. All the best in travels and life.
Loved the photos, Frank, and these, in particular, were a trip down memory lane for me, as I lived in Rota, Spain for 2 years in the late 1980s and visited many of these places! Also, when my mother came over to visit me, I took her to Gibraltar (still British at that time), where she and her parents were living at the start of the 2nd World War! Her father was a British soldier who had been stationed there, and remained behind at the start of the war, while his family was evacuated to England (their ship, incidentally, was followed by German submarines as they departed Gibraltar). I’ve traveled to a number of countries around the world (though certainly not to the degree that you have!!!), and Spain has always been one of my favorite places. Thanks for continuing to share so many photos from your many amazing journeys!!
Thanks for the most kind words and for sharing a bit of your personal/professional and family history there. Wow, stationed at Rota for two years! As you can see, Spain has been a favorite country of mine as well. Buen viaje, mi amiga!
Extraordinary, Frank. You actually became a pilgrim! This tour took me to a few places I’d visited—Barcelona’s La Pampas was just as I remembered it—and to so many I wouldn’t have had the good fortune to see without your photos and descriptions. That Gaudi church is spectacular. And I always wanted to visit Bilbao.
I love the sweep of these collections—all the details, people, food…that wacky shared aseo that looked like only contortionists could use it. The large stories and political messages, and then the macaques that won’t let people eat.
Have you described your modus operandi for keeping the locations and events in mind once you’ve captured them?
Thanks, as always for the most kind words of appreciation and for cheering me on, Annie.
As far as keeping track of things, each place was so unique and each memory so vivid that remembering what’s what and what’s where was effortless. A truly blessed boy am I.
I wish I did, Annie. It would make me a better classical piano player. It’s more that I’ve been blessed with experiences of such meaning and amplitude that they cannot be forgotten. For I have strong memories associated with almost every image you see in my photo essays. So much so that I can taste, feel, and smell the time and place and tell you at least one story about something that happened there and deeply impacted me. It I live long enough, I may share some of these stories: sometimes joyous, sometimes disheartening. Maybe someday. Big hug til then!
Quite a show, Frank. I had the good luck of seeing Guernica during the years before it was returned to Spain. Of course, I missed a lot by not traveling to Spain! On the other hand, I would have been happy to find a friendlier washroom than what your photo displays. My days leaping over the toilet are over.
Thanks for checking in, Gerald. Alas, my leaping over the toilet days are over, too!
Being in the presence of Guernica was, for me, quite an emotional experience… one that prompted me to actually go to the town of Guernika to learn more and meet some of the survivors.
🙂
There is something about you that makes me feel you’re a bit special… a lot special x
Blushing here.
Matey. You are soo good at what you do 💝
Your most kinds words of appreciation made my Day, JJ. Cheers!
I would not have suspected the guy in red to be a pickpocket but I know to have to be so careful around train stations.
I prefer the amazing Montserrat to the Sagrada, I think.
Great shots, Frank.
Thanks for check in and for digging the pix, Amanda. All the best to you in writing and life.
👋 Hi. You clearly are an amazing writer. Your attention to detail is flawless but to be honest it’s your ability as a photographer that gets me. Fabulous x
Thanks a million for appreciating my reverence for words and images, JJ. x back at you!
Well, well, when you go somewhere, you mean it… You got Spain quite covered. (How’s your Spanish?)
As a musician, you must be curious to hear other cultures’ music?
Be good.
I can handle simple transactions in Spanish, but don’t ask me to have a meaningful discussion about geopolitics or ancient Greek philosophy. And yes indeed, I try to sample every aspect of each culture: language, food, art, architecture, customs, attitudes, and la Musica!!!
Buen viaje, mi amigo.
Well done.
A discussion on geopolitics in any language is likely to be difficult these days.
Gracias Hermano.
Another wonderful collection going round so many places in one country. I’ve been to a few and your photos remind me of what they were like, so I know all the other places I haven’t been are represented accurately!! Great to see these Frank. The Gaudi stuff totally caught my attention. What a vibrant lively place Spain is.
Thank you yet again for the most kind words of appreciation, Kath. And glad to take you on a wee jaunt down memory lane. Spain is vibrant and lively indeed. And thanks for attesting to the honesty and integrity of my visual storytelling. Ha! Big hug.
It’s definitely the best travel destination I’ve been to. I spent a month traveling the length and breath, and I don’t think I uncovered a quarter of what’s available to be discovered. My next visit (if and when the current insanity in the world calms down) will be to the Basque region, which I didn’t get to visit the last time.
Thanks for checking in, Lenny. Yes, Spain is like a dozen different countries in one. You’ll really enjoy the Basque region and her people. I think you’d deeply resonate with the vibe there. All the best in travels and life.
Casa Mila!! What a nifty structure! It’s like a fusion of the Stone Age and the future.
Yes! A perfect description. BTW, the inside is equally special. Salud!
Loved the photos, Frank, and these, in particular, were a trip down memory lane for me, as I lived in Rota, Spain for 2 years in the late 1980s and visited many of these places! Also, when my mother came over to visit me, I took her to Gibraltar (still British at that time), where she and her parents were living at the start of the 2nd World War! Her father was a British soldier who had been stationed there, and remained behind at the start of the war, while his family was evacuated to England (their ship, incidentally, was followed by German submarines as they departed Gibraltar). I’ve traveled to a number of countries around the world (though certainly not to the degree that you have!!!), and Spain has always been one of my favorite places. Thanks for continuing to share so many photos from your many amazing journeys!!
Thanks for the most kind words and for sharing a bit of your personal/professional and family history there. Wow, stationed at Rota for two years! As you can see, Spain has been a favorite country of mine as well. Buen viaje, mi amiga!
Extraordinary, Frank. You actually became a pilgrim! This tour took me to a few places I’d visited—Barcelona’s La Pampas was just as I remembered it—and to so many I wouldn’t have had the good fortune to see without your photos and descriptions. That Gaudi church is spectacular. And I always wanted to visit Bilbao.
I love the sweep of these collections—all the details, people, food…that wacky shared aseo that looked like only contortionists could use it. The large stories and political messages, and then the macaques that won’t let people eat.
Have you described your modus operandi for keeping the locations and events in mind once you’ve captured them?
Thanks, as always for the most kind words of appreciation and for cheering me on, Annie.
As far as keeping track of things, each place was so unique and each memory so vivid that remembering what’s what and what’s where was effortless. A truly blessed boy am I.
All the best.
A photographic memory?
I wish I did, Annie. It would make me a better classical piano player. It’s more that I’ve been blessed with experiences of such meaning and amplitude that they cannot be forgotten. For I have strong memories associated with almost every image you see in my photo essays. So much so that I can taste, feel, and smell the time and place and tell you at least one story about something that happened there and deeply impacted me. It I live long enough, I may share some of these stories: sometimes joyous, sometimes disheartening. Maybe someday. Big hug til then!
Quite a show, Frank. I had the good luck of seeing Guernica during the years before it was returned to Spain. Of course, I missed a lot by not traveling to Spain! On the other hand, I would have been happy to find a friendlier washroom than what your photo displays. My days leaping over the toilet are over.
Thanks for checking in, Gerald. Alas, my leaping over the toilet days are over, too!
Being in the presence of Guernica was, for me, quite an emotional experience… one that prompted me to actually go to the town of Guernika to learn more and meet some of the survivors.
All the best, old friend.