Festa Major de Gràcia

The temperature today reached 35° C, and I deliberated with a neighbor in our small kidney shaped pool, if it was worth suffering the heat to go into Barcelona. Today was the last day to enjoy a neighborhood street festival in Gràcia, one of Barcelona’s 10 districts.

It’s a celebration that takes place every August in which neighbors decorate their street by hanging themed decorations. The festival begins August 15, on Assumption Day, and continues until August 21.

This year did not have as many participants as last year, yet streets were much better decorated than last summer. Thought and time was heavily invested in the street sculptures as was imagination. 

I tend to visit this festival during the early afternoon to avoid evening crowds and excessively happy people with one too many happy drinks. It's the best time to take pictures and avoid a thousand and one cameras trying to get the same shot you're shooting for. 

Democracy will not make us free

"Do not make noise in Gràcia"  

This is a window to a crafty jewelry store, see the round earrings on the left and the tablet necklace on the right. 

Estelada--independent flag of Catalonia.

Yup, that's Mozart on Mozart Street.

Church reflected on mirrored windows; picture taken at ferrocarril station.

Sorolls I Like

Before Barcelona beat Manchester United in the Champions League yesterday, I tried taking a nap. Instead I heard leaves shaking ferociously in the wind and some kids yelling across the street. I tried not to be annoyed with the children yelling, since it is their childhood stamp of fun times. Instead of getting annoyed for not being able to sleep, I listened with intent, and selected sounds I could enjoy in my useless attempt to sleep. I only heard one. 

The first sound I heard happening at the moment, and the next five sounds I retrieved from my mental file of I-like-sounds. My list is first in Catalan, then in English.

M'agrada el soroll de les fulles quan bufa el vent

M’agrada el soroll que fa el cos quan va dintre del aigua de la piscina

M’agrada el soroll de les tisores quan em tallen el cabell

M’agrada el soroll del contacte de les agulles de teixir quan faig punt

M’agrada el soroll al obrir una llauna de refresc 

M'agrada el soroll dels focs artificials esclatar en l'aire

I like the sound of leaves when the wind blows

I like the sound the body makes when it enters water in a swimming pool

I like the sound scissors make when my hair is being cut

I like the contact sound of knitting needles when I knit

I like the sound a soda can makes when you open it

I like the sound of artificial fireworks popping in the air