i much prefer madrid's park retiro to barca's famous park guell, probably because i don't take to gaudi's architectural style. the weather was great when we went to retiro; the sun was strong enough to get a tan yet you don't feel the heat because of the cool breeze.
if only we have such parks in singapore; i can spend hours there doing absolutely nothing :)

this is one of the sculptures i like at the entrance of the sagrada familia church; looking at it brings forth a silent wave of sadness. being an idiot about christianity, i did a quick google and found out that the entrance of the church depicts the passion, hence explaining the tormented expressions on the figures. great job done by josep subirachs there.
i blame it on my lack of christianity knowledge that i cannot fully appreciate the intricate architecture of the building, which has been undergoing construction since more than a century ago. can you imagine working on a project for your entire lifetime but not being able to see the finished product?

an adventurous start to the long easter traveling indeed! first we checked in to a hostel which was located in an industrial area some thirteen stops from the city and always crowded with staring black people at the reception area; then we had a close shave with a group of lousy (fortunately!) pickpockets on the metro; end that with getting chased out of a buffet restaurant after eating for two hours. there you have madrid, a boring but eventful city.