In recent times, there is no one at all
Who can approach Antonio Gaudi
He started a new cathedral, in Barcelona
It is called La Sagrada Familia or the Holy Family
The sad thing is they could try to finish it
But I don’t think they will do it
Who knows where the road may lead us, only a fool would say
Who knows if we’ll meet along the way
Follow the brightest star as far as the brave may dare
What will we find when we get there?
La Sagrada Familia, we pray the storm will soon be over
La Sagrada Familia, for the lion and the lamb
Who knows where the winds may blow us, only a fool would say
Who knows if we’ll ever reach the shore
Follow a rising sun with eyes that may only stare
What kind of fire will burn us there? What kind of fire?
Only a fool would say
La Sagrada Familia, the wind has changed the storm is over
La Sagrada Familia, for the lion and the lamb
La Sagrada Familia, we thank the lord the danger’s over
La Sagrada Familia, there’s peace throughout the land
Under clear blue skies our voices rise in songs of glory
And for all those years our eyes and ears were filled with tears
Who knows where the world may turn us, only a fool would say
Who knows what the fates may have in store
Follow the light of truth as far as our eyes can see
How should we know where that may be? How should we know?
Then the angry skies, the battle cries, the sounds of glory
And for all those years our eyes and ears were filled with tears
Who knows where the road may lead us, only a fool would say
Who knows what’s been lost along the way
Look for the promised land in all of the dreams we share
How will we know when we are there? How will we know?
Only a fool would say
La Sagrada Familia, the war is won the battle’s over
La Sagrada Familia, for the lion and the lamb
La Sagrada Familia, we thank the lord the danger’s over
La Sagrada Familia, behold the mighty hand
La Sagrada Familia, the night is gone the waiting’s over
La Sagrada Familia, there’s peace throughout the land
Until the next time, until the next time
La Sagrada Familia
SONGWRITERS:
PARSONS, ALAN / WOOLFSON, ERIC
From the album ‘Gaudi’, by The Alan Parsons Project
Wiki says:
The Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família (Catalan pronunciation: [səˈɣɾaðə fəˈmiɫiə]; English: Basilica and Expiatory Church of the Holy Family) is a large Roman Catholic church in Barcelona, designed by Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí (1852–1926). Although incomplete, the church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site,[5] and in November 2010 Pope Benedict XVI consecrated and proclaimed it a minor basilica,[6][7][8] as distinct from a cathedral, which must be the seat of a bishop.
Construction of Sagrada Família commenced in 1882 and Gaudí became involved in 1883,[5] taking over the project and transforming it with his architectural and engineering style, combining Gothic and curvilinear Art Nouveau forms. Gaudí devoted his last years to the project, and at the time of his death at age 73 in 1926, less than a quarter of the project was complete.[9]
Sagrada Família’s construction progressed slowly, as it relied on private donations and was interrupted by the Spanish Civil War, only to resume intermittent progress in the 1950s. Construction passed the midpoint in 2010 with some of the project’s greatest challenges remaining[9] and an anticipated completion date of 2026, the centenary of Gaudí’s death.
The basílica has a long history of dividing the citizens of Barcelona: over the initial possibility it might compete with Barcelona’s cathedral, over Gaudí’s design itself,[10] over the possibility that work after Gaudí’s death disregarded his design,[10] and the 2007 proposal to build an underground tunnel of Spain’s high-speed rail link to France which could disturb its stability.[11] Describing Sagrada Família, art critic Rainer Zerbst said, “It is probably impossible to find a church building anything like it in the entire history of art”[12] and Paul Goldberger called it, “The most extraordinary personal interpretation of Gothic architecture since the Middle Ages.”[13]
6/15/2016
Departed the hostel in Granada at 6:00 AM, caught a cab and left the Granada train station on a bus at 6:45. Departed on the train from Antequera at 9:02 and arrived in Barcelona around 2:30. Took the Metro and after 6 stations departed and walked 4 blocks to the hostel. Private room, shared bath and kitchen for about $35.00 a night.
It was my first time on a high speed train. Zipping through the countryside of Spain at 300 km/hr or 180 MPH, the only thought going through my head was that a crash would be unsurvivable. We went north, then just to the south of Madrid, passing through the heart of Spain. There were more olive orchards, lots of tunnels. There was plenty of agriculture but very few houses. Where do all the farmers live?
I had a window seat – or took it actually – no one challenged me on my seat assignment. My ticket was never checked by anyone. It was a beautiful day, with billowy cumulus clouds and a bright blue sky for most of the trip through the scenic Spanish countryside. It reminded me of the central valley of California. According to the map on the phone, a direct route was 460 miles but with the route taking us up near Madrid, I would not be surprised if we did not travel well over 700 miles.
Rather than take the train from here to London it appears it will be cheaper and much faster to fly. So I think I will make a diversion and take an afternoon flight to Amsterdam and spend a few days walking around and taking pictures. Missed the Anne Frank house on my previous visit and I have already traveled to Amsterdam by train 15 years ago. Amsterdam will be a nice bookend to the time in Egypt. On one end super liberal and on the other end super conservative.
abackpackandadaysack 