A Picture of Contrasts

It is said that a pet is a reflection of its master. Here, the woman appears so peaceful and so does the pooch. As people pass, she and the dog move their heads in unison in the same direction … as if they’ve been sitting and watching a lifetime.

Francesc Macia, 2006

However, something caught my eye when I was taking the photo. I thought about the irony of life. One day that model might be that old woman and that old woman was maybe once like that model.

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Placa de Francesc Macia

Placa de Francesc Macia
Barcelona, 2006

This photo was taken with my new wide angle lens that I've been experimenting with, so there are some flaws in this picture but no matter. I have been trying to get a continous sweep of the buildings in previous photos but to no avail.

I love this corner. These are separate buildings flowing and curving along the Avenida de Diagonal as if the buildings were one.

In this area, there are fancy boutiques, beautiful gardens, a few outdoor cafes and of course STARBUCKS and KFC.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 License.

Tranquility

Here’s Barcelona at its finest.

What better way then to spend a day in bed at the park.

Or eat a meal in peace.

Or to hide behind the flowers, away from ME?

Wondering what the day will bring.

The envy of all women, to be adorned by a sea of beauty.


Even the city revels in its own reflection.


But as for me, I walk in the shadows of light, looking for YOU!

The entire series of pictures with the exception of the last one were photographed in the barrio of Gracia in Barcelona, Spain.

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Santa Caterina Market

Barcelona is loaded and I mean loaded with markets in just about each of the neighborhoods. We happen to stumble quite by accident on Santa Caterina Market which would delight you in every way.

Santa Caterina Market

Below is a picture of the billboard in the market's entry way. I have made a translation but, Catalan is not one of my strong languages. Come to think of it, neither is my native English.

If there are any mistakes, please feel free to let me know.

Santa Caterina Market,

Barcelona, 2006

Santa Caterina Market: traditional and modern

In 1268, on the location where Santa Caterina market stands now there was a convent and school run by the Order of Dominicana dels Predicadors. In 1835, the convent and the church were totally destroyed by fire.

In 1844 construction of the market began and completed in 1848. Santa Caterina was the first enclosed market in the city.

In 1997 there began the process of modernizing and remodeling the market but keeping as much as the integrity of the old market as possible. The market was completed in 2005.

The market was designed by Enric Miralles/Benedetta Tagliabue and opened to the public on May 10, 2005.

The market has incorporated new and modern services: an underground loading dock, cameras through out the commercial establishment, controlled climate and new commercial mixtures of avant-garde boutiques around the perimeter of the mall.

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View barcalunacy's Santa Caterina Market photoset.

JUVE DESIGNS

Hecho en Espana

Click HERE to watch in Quicktime.
Click HERE to watch in the Real Media.

Ever try to buy a gift made in the country you are visiting and the label says MADE IN CHINA and you are not even in CHINA?!

Let me share with you a store called JUVE Designs in the barrio of San Gervasi, in Barcelona.

JUVE Designs has unique merchandise. Here are some samples:













Many gifts are Hecho in Espana, that is, MADE IN ESPANA. What a hoot!

Look at the video and meet Helena, Judith, Adela, mother, daughter and grandmother, respectively. They go out of their way to help you.

So, you will leave with a gift and an extra bonus: A smile!

Give them a try.

Disclaimer: JUVE Designs is not promoting their store.

I am!