It is pretty much impossible to be in Barcelona and be not even a little bit remotely inspired, for Barcelona, at least on the part of the tourism industry, is pretty much built on the backbone of its favourite mad genius of an architect Gaudi. You might not necessarily be fan, or even like any of his stuff, but you can't help but appreciate his efforts. And, if you happen to actually LIKE his stuff, then it is very easy to simply fall in love with him here. Gaudi is everywhere. Well, not his buildings, but the imageries of his buildings, and his name. Millions flock here simply to whiteness his masterpieces in person. Many goes home with sore necks from having to look up so much in awe, but usually full of appreciation of what this man had though of. No, I cannot say that his work is all that applicable or functional in today's world. But like many astonishing artists in the past. It is the very fact that their work do not fit the mould, that their ideas pushed the envelope of what we could accept, that they become great. Had he not tried, man would not know what a building made to reflect the flow of water would look like (Casa Batllo), or what simply could become of with a cathedral over a hundred years in the making and every little piece inside well thought out.
The one thing that really stuck with me about Gaudi was that not only was his ideas unconventional and creative, they were almost always made with function as a core criteria. In his beautifully crafted Casa Batllo, curvy wooden air vents were intended for warm or cool air to flow effortlessly from room to room. Window panels were made with various shaped glass such that natural light directs more towards the needed areas of the room and not wasted. The dual inner courtyards, intended to provide bright areas for the rooms not blessed with an outside view, had blue tiles that goes lighter in tone as you go down because light is expected to be dimmer further down. Each beautifully golden brass door or window handle were crafted in such a way that fits your hand perfectly when you grab it. That is, if you are right handed and with hands somewhat as small as mine. Gaudi's work seems to be a perfect example of trying to merry art with function. Whether he succeed or not is a topic of discussion, but you cannot deny his creativity in trying.
Perhaps his legacy is always going to be tied to the yet-to-be finished, over a hundred years in the making, Cathedral La Sagrada Familiar (took me forever to remember this name) (they are set to finish it finally by 2026, to mark the 100th anniversary of Gaudi's death; and for those who wonder why we still credit him for this unfinished business, it is because the work is continuously done based on his drawings and designs, for he knew long before that he wouldn't live to see it completed). Indeed, it's a legacy well-deserved. I've been lucky to have seen may iconic places in the world, and more often than not I've felt somewhat disappointed when I actually get there (the Effel tower wasn't that romantic in person; the leaning tower of Pisa looked way smaller than I thought it should; and the Towel Bridge in London simply looked like a toy bridge...). But at the Sagrada, I was pleasantly surprised. Yes the outside is exquisite. But we know that already from the millions of photos that populate the Internet and Instagram. But the inside is really where his genius shines. (As an aside, go for the fast track ticket online with a set entry time and get the Audio Guide, but you can save the 7 Euros and skip the "Towers", for they weren't really anything exceptional, unless you feel you MUST see it). The inside of the Sagrada was simply magical. Looking like the inside of a spaceship (I've never actually seen a real spaceship...), it looks nothing like any Cathedral you have ever seen. Gaudi's use of natural sunlight with thoughtfully tainted windows brought an array of beautifully coloured lightrays inside depending of the time of day of your visit. The giant columns, surprisingly bare compared to the usual churches, were meant to look like giant trees of the forest. One of my favourite features was that the windows carried a blue tint on the East side, while the ones on the West side were bright in yellow, orange, and some red. It gave the inside of the Cathedral a rainbow of colours that were consistent, pleasing, and dynamic. Sore neck and all, it would be hard not to walk away being at least a little bit impressed.
A word on being a tourist in Barcelona. Don't try to go see things on a whim as most backpackers plan to. Despite being in the so-called SHOULDER SEASON in late April, Barcelona is incredibly busy! Most major attractions (such as the above mentioned Sagrada Familiar and Casa Batllo, or other popular sites such as Park Guell and Casa Mila) are usually "full" by the time mid-morning hits, which means even if you "line up" you wouldn't get in. Reluctantly, I had to go online the night before to get e-tickets (conveniently sent to my iPhone and scanned at the entrances). The tickets are usually VERY time specific (ie. 17:15 entry and they are VERY strict about it). But getting tickets online usually saves you a few Euros anyway. While it does make you feel less spontaneous about your day, if you do this you might actually get to see the places u wanted to see in Barcelona, especially if you only have a limited time here. (For those who are interested, I would definitely say yes to Sagrada Familiar and Casa Batllo, while Casa Mila was interesting but less impressive, and honestly don't pay anything for Park Guell. Skip the mosaic lizard that you've seen already in pictures and just spend your time exploring the beautiful garden that is free to all outside the "paid zone", and, at the time of writing, most of the paid area is under renovation anyway, which would completely defeat the purpose.) (On another side note, Barcelona ISN'T really accessible. Park Guell, for example, requires quite a bit of uphill walking to get there, although parts of it aided by an outdoor escalator if you go to the Vallarca metro stop instead. And many of the sights, such as the towers of the Sagrada, required LOTS of narrow downwards spiral stairs to get down). And of course, you can most definitely count on getting a sore neck after.
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