Monday, May 25, 2009

Michael & Laura at the Parque de Retiro, Madrid

Our 3rd and last evening in Madrid. This formal garden is only a tiny part of the former Royal Retreat (Real de Retiro). We had to shelter under the trees at one point during a sudden rain shower...

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Evening in Barcelona


Evening in Barcelona, originally uploaded by Laura Grace.

My last night here until I return in May. We had a lovely stroll up above the city with Armen & Maricarmen, who are graduate students working with Michael.

After this, we had a fine meal of tapas...

Michael's anxious expression was because he was judging that our "guest photographer" was pointing the camera too low to get much of the city... and he was correct.

This was taken on the steps above the Placa Espana.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Hiking near Port Lligat, Catalunya (Spain)

Within sight of Salvador and Gala Dali's seaside home.

In other news, I have purchased a new scarf (back at "home" in Sant Cugat, because it was cold. And a new hat because it's very sunny in Cadaques. And a "hoodie" because it's very cold here, too!

Casa Nun: salmon, mango & baked parmesan

following our hike... followed by paella!

just after sunrise...


just after sunrise, originally uploaded by Laura Grace.

and just before I went back to sleep... Michael didn't even know I was up long enough to step out on our balcony...

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Cadaques: view from our balcony!

I'm not gonna lie to you -- we are VERY happy to be here! The little seaside town is gorgeous; we are in a perfectly lovely hotel on a quiet street; the walk into the main part of town is along the seawall... I'm so glad Michael picked this place for us.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

On my way home; The National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC)

"The National Art Museum of Catalonia (Catalan: Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya), abbreviated as MNAC, is a museum of Catalan visual art located in Barcelona, Catalonia.

It is housed in the Palau Nacional, built for the 1929 World's Fair. Situated on the Montjuïc hill at the end of Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina, it was rehabilitated by the 1992 Summer Olympics."

source: wikipedia

MNAC website


mediterranean


mediterranean, originally uploaded by Laura Grace.

Before going to the Jardin Botanic, I walked along the pine-tree lined path that led to the fortifications. An incredibly lovely day!

hillside, botanical garden, Barcelona


hillside, originally uploaded by Laura Grace.

sun daisy


sun daisy, originally uploaded by Laura Grace.

This should be a much larger photo than the one I posted earlier.

wattle?


wattle?, originally uploaded by Laura Grace.

South African blooms?


South African blooms?, originally uploaded by Laura Grace.

sticky wattle


sticky wattle, originally uploaded by Laura Grace.

sun daisies (?)


sun daisies (?), originally uploaded by Laura Grace.

menacing hens & chicks


menacing hens & chicks, originally uploaded by Laura Grace.

lily?


lily?, originally uploaded by Laura Grace.

budding tree


budding tree, originally uploaded by Laura Grace.

gum tree -- I was so happy to see gum trees again!

Wattles and gums in the Jardi Botanic, Barcelona. What a treat! And no swooping birds, either!

graceful


graceful, originally uploaded by Laura Grace.

California Section


California Section, originally uploaded by Laura Grace.

california poppy, in barcelona

The Jardi Botanic has sections for different Mediterranean climates around the world. I spent some time hanging around in "California" and was delighted to see this poppy, just like ones I've enjoyed with my nephews. In fact, so delighted was I that I called Michael & asked him to email -- right then -- my brother & mom and tell them "all about it"...

Knife-leaf Wattle


Knife-leaf Wattle, originally uploaded by Laura Grace.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

beauty in the jardin botanic


beauty in the jardin botanic, originally uploaded by Laura Grace.
More, much more to come... but I walked 9.75 miles today, so I'll be recovering tomorrow and should be able to sort out & upload more photos, and write a bit, as well!

Here's a link to the garden.

Sunday, March 15, 2009

the tree


tree, originally uploaded by Laura Grace.

me and the tree


... and the tree, originally uploaded by Laura Grace.

When Michael first got to Sant Cugat (west of Barcelona) he sent me a link to a photo of this tree, and later, photos of his own. And now, here I am. We walked 4.13 miles this evening, coming back to town as the stars were coming out and the birds singing. The frogs stopped their evening sernade as we walked by. Being who we are, we were delighted to also see some bats. And being who we are, I was amazed to be the first one to see a bat!

Really ELSEWHERE... Brazil (taken by a friend)


ESTOY AFERRADA..., originally uploaded by MAR_MAXI_LUNA.

ESTOY AFERRADA...

(from Laura: I liked this so much & wanted to share it with you all... This was taken on a Brazilian beach, by Mari, a lovely lady that Michael & I met in Buenos Aires. We got to go on photo safaris with an excellent, friendly group called "Portenas" and that's where we met Mari. We also took a trip to Tigre with her, and had a great time!)

If you click on the photo, you can see other photos that Mari has taken.

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Friday, March 13, 2009

Clay at Biblioteca


Clay at Biblioteca, originally uploaded by Laura Grace.

I've posted two day's worth of photos on flickr. (It's a lot faster than adding photos to Elsewhere, so unless I'm writing, I'll probably just post one or two photos *here* and the rest on flickr.

To see them on flickr, click on this photo!

vista from campus


vista, originally uploaded by Laura Grace.

I did a lot of playing around with this, using iphoto. Hope you like the result. You can see the famous cathedral at the top of the mountain.. if you squint...

A great view from campus


campus-2, originally uploaded by Laura Grace.

at the university


campus-3, originally uploaded by Laura Grace.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Biscuit Babies-3 of 3


Biscuit Babies-3, originally uploaded by Laura Grace.

At last! I am offered a tasty biscuit, only slightly gummed.

I politely decline.

Biscuit Babies-2 of 3


Biscuit Babies-2, originally uploaded by Laura Grace.

Baby Sister is still not quite sure about me...

Biscuit Babies: 1 of 3


Biscuit Babies, originally uploaded by Laura Grace.

I got the biggest charge out these twins; eventually they were ok with that (see photo #3)

buildings


buildings, originally uploaded by Laura Grace.

And this is another reason I love being able to take pictures in new places!

ChocoChooChoo


ChocoChooChoo, originally uploaded by Laura Grace.

fruteria


fruteria, originally uploaded by Laura Grace.

yellow bloom


yellow bloom, originally uploaded by Laura Grace.

Anyone know what kind of plant this is? (close up of a shrub)

wall


wall, originally uploaded by Laura Grace.

Because my Aunt Ginni was so interested in geology, I think of her whenever I see natural or humanly-made rock formation.

pasticeria


pasticeria, originally uploaded by Laura Grace.

no Ferrets (ask Michael)


no Ferrets (ask Michael), originally uploaded by Laura Grace.