Our Lady of Angeles

Leaving the Disney Concert Hall, we headed north to Temple Street to visit the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angles. It is an austere and contemporary cathedral designed by Spanish architect  Jose Rafael Moneo. The cathedral is the antithesis of the Gothic churches I have visited in Europe. The exterior of the cathedral does not have gargoyles looking down upon worshipers or dark grey aged stone that lends the customary bleak look to these buildings, but instead sharp geometrical lines and ocher colored concrete. Our Lady of the Angles abounds with natural light pouring through alabaster windows. There is a sense of peace and lightness when you walk through the cathedral. The absence of somber gloominess is a relief from the typical cathedrals in Europe where a constant sensation of solemness accompanies the visitor.

I enjoy visiting this cathedral for its warmth and simplicity felt throughout, including the chapels. When I return to Barcelona I will contrast these pictures with the Catedral de la Santa Creu i Santa Eualia in Barcelona for a visual comparison to better understand the sensations felt.

Adeu!

The large organ on the right comes from Iowa.

One of twelve candle holder angels representing the twelve tribes of Israel and the twelve apostles. 

25 tapestries depicting 135 saints and blesseds from around the world. 

The Campanile

Noia Sees Flamenco in Boyle Heights

As unbelievable as it might sound, this Noia has not seen a tablado in Barcelona or anywhere else in Spain. Mol trist. That is what happens when you are married to a Guapo who feels really Catalan and feels no interest to see spectacular pounding of heels on a wooden floor by flamenco dancers.

Of all places to see flamenco dancing without me even planning it was at a bar in...Boyle Heights. It's a city within the limits of Los Angeles. It's the equivalent of me saying, "I went to Gràcia to see a tablado in Barcelona."

L.A. has changed tremendously since I moved away ten years ago. The only place back in the day to find anything Spanish was at a restaurant called El Cid on Sunset Boulevard and what a disappointment. The gal  dancing flamenco at Eastside Luv put all her energy dancing on top of the bar as did guitarist Gabriel at the opposite end. Who knows what other Spanish surprise I'll find along the way as a guiri in my own town.

Feeling a bit jet lagged, my noia friend and I left the bar at elevenish and crossed the street to admire a very Hispanic metro entrance of the fabulous L.A. metro system. 

p.s. I took pictures my cell phone so excuse the lack of zoom and crispness of the photos.

p.p.s. I met a great gal from New York astonished as I was with all the great changes in L.A.

Bona nit!

La Tigueresa

One More

I’m just one more person wanting to share my opinion with the world about issues that buzz around in my head. My subject matter is mainly about my life in Spain and all things wonderful and aggravating about it. This summer I will sum nine years of living abroad in my adopted country. I swore after two years that I was through living in Spain when my then boyfriend now husband flew to California to visit me in August of 2003 and proposed. It’s taken me nearly seven years to finally feel settled here after longing for my California sunsets with violet orangey skies.

So this blog is my therapy to celebrate all the wonderful reasons I have to live in a country renowned for food, art, and celebrations. It’s a way to be thankful for what life is all about here, in a small town outside of Barcelona, as a reminder to myself that missing home and liking my new “home” is absolutely OK--and yes I know seven years is a long to be missing my native Los Angeles. It's time I stop whining and enjoy life as I have it before me. I will post the first celebration that is happening this month, which is St. Jordi's. It's a celebration that involves a dragon slaying legend, books, and roses. This popular annual celebration happens every 23rd of April. Until then, Adéu!