Barcelona. November, 2010

One of the many extravagant displays of fanciful ironwork and gold leaf within Barcelona’s massive cathedral. Imagine the poor folks who must have been dazzled by this work when it originally appeared. Were they impressed by the richness and power of their Church’s resources? Or maybe a little resentful of the outlay of more funds for this one tiny corner of the cathedral, many times more than they would earn in a lifetime? Whatever. Merry Christmas.

Lisbon. October, 2009

Visions of sugarplums, so many sweets here in Lisbon. Many of them (like all the yellow ones in this window) made primarily (or exclusively) from egg yolks and sugar. A little bit cloying for my taste. Not that that kept me from trying a few. Research.

Lisbon. October, 2009

Can never get enough of these beautifully cobbled sidewalks and plazas in Lisbon. Even at night with the golden light from streetlamps (and the blurry camerawork), they shine, the white blocks looking almost like mother of pearl.

Santiago de Compostela, Spain. October, 2009

In the center of this holy pilgrim town, it’s easy to forget that there’s “country” all around. Easier to remember when you take this shortcut from your hotel to your molecular gastronomy 13-course (tiny ones) dinner at nearby Casa Marcelo. There are merciful patches of undeveloped land all around this green Galician town.

Braga, Portugal. October, 2009

Autumn sunlight. Beautiful no matter where in the world you are. Seen here on the up, up, upward path to the top of the hill where the beautiful Bom Jesus do Monte church is overlooking the town of Braga, often called the most religious place in Portugal. (Nice to remember beautiful sunlight on this first day of winter, the day with the least daylight all year.)

Santiago de Compostela, Spain. October, 2009

Oh, the Spanish and their musical instruments. Here in the Galician town that has attracted pilgrims from around the world for centuries, you’re just as likely to hear bagpipes being played in the streets as the Spanish guitar. We passed a harpist on several occasions. And look at this thing in the town museum. It’s called a corda and has both the strings of a guitar and a keyboard. Please note the scallop shell in the case as well, the symbol of the city and its saint.

Braga, Portugal. October, 2009

Once at the top of the challenging uphill climb and then the even more challenging massive staircase, you reach the church of Bom Jesus do Monte (and you realize the significance of Monte in its name.) Dr. Blake has a fear of heights, afraid to look down from the top of stairs, escalators, the Grand Canyon, etc. Probably a good thing that he stayed down below and did not accompany me as I climbed the steps (not on my knees, though, as some pilgrims do.)