El Parque Güell

Dear friends, I will be out on assignment again for awhile. I will be trying to keep up with my blogging comments, etc as much as I can.  I have a kindle that allows me to read your comments from around the world while I'm stuck at an airport etc so I'll be able to post from this device often, but I may or may not have access while I'm out in the field.  Just depends on the connection speeds. However, I have scheduled many wonderful posts on birds, wildlife and gardening over the next couple weeks. Have you ever been to a garden that makes a strong statement?  Over the past couple of years, I've done some writing on my trip to Spain.  Today I wanted to take you all on a journey back in 2004 to a garden that completely blew me out of the water.  Parque Guell is located in Barcelona on top of a hill. 

The easiest way to get there?  Take a taxi from your hotel and head to the area.  The entrance can be congested so most people choose to walk up the BIG hill.  This can be a challenge for some so if you can't do this walk, you'll need to pay a bit more for you taxi ride.  All I can say is that this was one of the big highlights for me in Barcelona.  Magical! 

The pictures you see today are from my OLD camera, but I think they are okay to show.  This park utilizes excellent xeric practices.  It also has great art by the famous Gaudi mixed in with the natural coloring on the various plants. Bring excellent walking shoes.  This is a nice little trek:)

I also love the bathrooms here.  You pay to do whatever inside that cubical.  And so I would laugh and laugh everytime my friend had to use it.  How does it work?  Well you put your coins inside and then enter.  Do the deeds.  Wash your hands!!! And then get out!  The door shuts and then begins to wash the inside with a spray.  My fear was that I would be "showered" while using this bathroom because I've heard it happens:)

The park was originally part of a commercially unsuccessful housing site, the idea of Count Eusebi Güell, whom the park was named after. It was inspired by the English garden city movement; hence the original English name Park. The site was a rocky hill with little vegetation and few trees, called Muntanya Pelada (Bare Mountain). It already included a large country house called Larrard House or Muntaner de Dalt House, and was next to a neighborhood of upper class houses called La Salut (The Health). The intention was to exploit the fresh air (well away from smoky factories) and beautiful views from the site, with sixty triangular lots being provided for luxury houses. Count Eusebi Güell added to the prestige of the development by moving in 1906 to live in Larrard House. Ultimately, only two houses were built, neither designed by Gaudí. One was intended to be a show house, but on being completed in 1904 was put up for sale, and as no buyers came forward, Gaudí, at Güell's suggestion, bought it with his savings and moved in with his family and his father in 1906.This house, where Gaudí lived from 1906 to 1926. It contains original works by Gaudí and several of his collaborators. It is now the Gaudi House Museum since 1963. In 1969 it was declared a historical artistic monument of national interest....a UNESCO World Heritage site.  So there's your history lesson for the day.  Amazing place and highly recommended if you're in Barcelona.  More tomorrow.....