Currently Under Construction: Sagrada Familia

Sagrada Familia's figurative "Currently Under Construction" sign surely must have quite the story to tell, having seen much of Barcelona and world history unfold before it since its inception in 1882.

After 144 years of construction, all should be complete come 2026. Hopefully.

This beautiful masterpiece of a Catholic church in Barcelona, designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi, towers over Barcelona, piercing its skyline.

That fact that Sagrada Familia is visible from all around various part of Barcelona, it serves as a constant reminder of the city's heritage, foundation and artistic and architectural mastery as exhibited by its (most) famous architect, Gaudi and his impact on the makeup of the city (as seen in Sagrada Familia, Parc Guell, Casa Batllo and La Pedrera).

A Catalan jewel in Barcelona - Sagrada Familia

Stained glass window inside Sagrada Familia

Spires reaching high above Barcelona's skyline

View from Sagrada Familia - Barcelona and the Mediterranean  Sea

Hallo, Amsterdam Centraal

Amsterdam's Centraal train station isn't just another point of entry or exit to and from the city, it's also a piece of neo-Renaissance art. The reliefs in between the two clock towers attest to hope and prosperity for the city and its citizens.

Hallo, Amsterdam.

• The station serves 25,000 passengers per day.
• This station has been welcoming citizens to Amsterdam since October 1889.
• There are 11 platforms which whisk visitors off to exciting new travel adventures.
• The station is paired with Liverpool Street station in London. This serves as the terminus for the Dutchflyer rail-ferry service.

Happy travels!

Je pense à Paris: Gargoyle Considering Paris

Gothic Cathedral = Notre Dame de Paris.
Gargoyles = Deep thinkers of Paris.

Notre Dame: Preserving the sanctity of Paris while also pondering its many wonders?

Perhaps this particular gargoyle of Notre Dame de Paris is not only preserving the sanctity of the cathedral, but also pondering the many historical wonders of the City of Light spread out for miles upon miles beneath his feet.

Perhaps he's wishing he could fly away from his stony perch and explore his city of history, magic and dreams.

For now, he'll just have to continue to be a part of history among other relics of 12th century Gothic architecture.

I hope he's inspiring young writers who are undoubtedly sipping tiny espressos at the cafes surrounding Notre Dame and writing in moleskin journals (perhaps typing furiously on laptops?), inspired by great writers of the past such as Victor Hugo, Samuel Beckett, Ernest Hemingway, T.S. Eliot, Rimbaud, Jean-Paul Sartre and more.

Paris, je t'aime.