Park Guell

Today we slept in and then after breakfast we headed out in search of Park Guell.  Its supposed to have two little dots over the U, but I can't figure out how to Do that!  Park Guell was originally developed by Eusebi Guell as a posh housing development. He hired Antoni Gaudi as the designer.  The development didn't work out so well, and the property opened as a public park instead in 1926.  In 2013 the city of Barcelona started charging admission to the central part of the park to pay for its upkeep and to help preserve it. 

The walk from the metro to the park is a uphill climb.  Based on what I had read online I was really nervous about how steep it was going to be, but not even Gabi complained.  Even so, I was very thankful for our Colorado lungs today.

 I don't need to add much commentary, the pictures really speak for themselves!

After we had our fill of mosaics we started to climb the hill that the park is built on.  The overlook was reported to be worth the climb, and we took the chance.

Overlooking the city about half way up.

The mosaics were really whimsical and pretty, and we all liked them.

When we reached the top we switched off with another family to take family pictures.  The view of the city was spectacular.  In the distance, where the city stops, is the Mediterranean Sea.  

After a long, hot walk we were hungry.  This cafe is about a block and a half from the apartment, and today is Paella day.  Michael and I both ordered Paella, Luke had the Spanish version of shrimp fried rice, Isa had chicken fingers with fries, and Gabi was fortunate enough to find her first hot dog of the trip.  The hot dog plate came with a fried egg, patatas (french fries), and two foot long hot dogs without buns.  No way she could finish it all, but she was totally enthralled with it!  This picture does not show her enthusiasm in the least, but I loved Luke's expression while he is staring at prawns.

Paella is delicious!  Everyone was happy. Yeah for happy bellies.