The House on the Hill

La Diada : September 11, 2013

On September 11th, Catalans celebrate La Diada, or the national day of Catalunya.  This year, the 299th year since losing their independence to Spain on September 11th, 1714, hundreds of thousands of Catalans joined hands in an unbroken chain from Alcanar to El Voló (the north border of Valencia to the north of the pyrenees, about 250 miles) forming la Via Catalana.  The chain linked completely at 17:14 (5:14PM) and chants of Independencia could be heard throughout the city.  Catalans want a referendum that would allow independence from Spain.  Here's a news article from the day (in English) to read a bit more.

The new Centre Cultural in the Born was opened to the public on this day.

The ruins uncovered are remnants of Barcelona in 1714.

Paella feed 

At the Fossar de les Moreres (adjacent to the Basílica de Santa Maria del Mar), honouring the Catalans buried there, who died defending Barcelona from the Spanish on the siege of 1714. The torch with the eternal flame was inaugurated in 2001.

Lights on the Water

You can see Montjuic and Andreu Alfaro's "Onades" in the background

Locks on the Bridge

Locks on a Parisian Bridge

Sound on the Streets

Outside a shop in Paris

Dancing Waters

At the Music Fountain on Margaret Island in Budapest.

Writing on the Wall

3 Wall Sections of an Abandoned Building in Paris

Las Estrellas de Barcelona

Rambla de Mar a la Nit

The Road to Barcelona

Vineyards of Pézenas

Driving through Pézenas, France during a late starting European spring.  We had to pull the car over for this view.

Hivernacle

Sometimes not being able to sleep affords me opportunities to see the city with a different kind of light, and less people.  This is the Hivernacle en Parc de la Ciutadella.

Waking Up the Neighbors

These are the folks that are out in the morning that make it hard for those who stayed out late the night before to sleep in.  Good morning El Born.

French Spring

We completely missed our friend's house in Pezenas, France and ended up down a tiny, one lane dirt road.  As soon as we got on the road we should have realized it was the wrong way, but we decided to pursue it.  Fortunately, at the end of the road, we found this.

Place d'Albertas (Aix-en-Provence) a la Nit

Place d'Albertas (Aix-en-Provence)

FC Barcelona Street Team

There are a group of boys that play outside of our window every free moment of the day.  This series of pictures was taken as Barça was winding up their season and had some important matches to play.  These boys took to the streets to support their team, but there was a problem.  Big brother wanted his ball back.

Big Brother States His Case

Big brother walks away while Muha pleads with his mom for a new ball.

Mom comes through

Watching the ball drop

Game Time!

Our friend Bobbi took these pictures with my camera before a dinner party while we were awaiting the arrival of more guests.  I found them on the camera and loved them.  Thanks Bobbi!  Come back to Barcelona soon!

Good Morning Born

Spring has Sprung