We have arrived at the port of Barcelona, Spain. It is a huge working port as well as a popular cruise destination and turnaround port.
There are four large cruise ships here today. I’ve got to say, watching the ship pilots parallel park these things is quite amazing.
Today we decided to go out of town to the monastery of Monserrat. It was (naturally) a little rainy, but only light showers and we were able to spend a lot of time inside. This is perched high on the side of a rocky cliff.
The basilica is home to a shrine, that of the Black Madonna. It also was a locale used in the newest Dan Brown book, Origins.
That’s her, way up high in the niche above the altar. We also heard the boys choir sing. The boys range in age from 9-14, and live at the monastery Sunday noon through Friday noon and attend school in the mornings, and study music in the afternoons. By the time they leave they have learned piano and one other instrument in addition to their singing and regular studies. We are told it is very competitive to get into the choir.
We returned to the ship for dinner and packing up. The luggage is out in the hall and we are just finishing up a few final thanks and goodbys before disembarking in the morning and checking in to a hotel for three nights.
Tomorrow we intend to visit La Sagrada Familia, and weather permitting one or two other Gaudi sights.
Wow what a fun filled day. So many natural wonders and a choir to boot! Must have been thrilling. Keep the posts coming. We've been gone for a week so I am trying to catch up.
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