By Air - B - carmennieves-torrens.com

I began my adventure in Germany (to attend Marc's wedding) and ended it in Spain.

After a few days in Frankfurt (June 4-9), I flew to Barcelona. I stayed a few days (June 9-12) in Barcelona then flew to Madrid to join Cosmos on a 2-week bus tour of Spain (June 12-1, 19-21 and 24-27), Portugal (June 1-19) and Morocco (June 21-24). It was a trip like no other.

I will try to show the highlights of the trip here.

(Why no photos of Marc's wedding? I have no idea.)

The photos are being taken from the old site, 1993 A to E.

The Iberia flight from Barcelona to Madrid was like no other. The flight lasted about an hour and a half. In that time, there was a fashion show, sale of goods, and a meal. Items like cigarettes, liquor and jewelry were being sold on board. The meal was served with real utensils, nothing plastic. Each seat had a small screen on the seat in front with headphones. One had a choice of watching a movie, music videos and/or informational videos about Spain and other parts of the world. I thought I was in First Class. I kept looking back but noticed that the plane was only one class. Everyone on this Iberia flight was given the same treatment. Incredible! We landed in Madrid without having seen the end of the movie! I thought to myself, "Gee, I wouldn't mind flights like this in the USA!!" In my dreams!!!

WELCOME

Germany, Spain, Portugal and Morocco - 1993

Frankfurt, Germany

María crossing the street.

María and Jorge enjoying the day.

View of Frankfurt

River Main

More of Franfurt

Unique architecture

From time to time, a bell was rung, the doors opened at the Kassel and water would cascade down this area into a pool. Everyone gathers to enjoy the show.

A street in Karlshafen

Wayne (Best Man),María andMarc

Germany - Subway map and postcards

Subway map. It was an open system. However, there were "undercover" agents to check rider's ticket from time to time.

(c) King Air Luftfoto K. Biewer

3522 Bad Karlshafen, Restaurant-Cafe, Aubrege des Cévennes.Did we go here for the reception?(c) Fotu-Vertag, F. Tuttass, Karishefen/Weser

Germany in Postcards and money

Photo I took of a map in the area

Welt Flughafen Frankfurt, (c) M. Skaryd

10 and 100 Mark

Barcelona

National Palace - Museum of Art from inside bus.

Mime seen on the Ramblas, which is a wide tree-lined boulevard

Las Ramblas

Another view of Las Ramblas

Kids feeding the pigeons

A monument in Montjuic Park

A sidewalk shelter for customers of Burger King(During the Covid pandemic these types of outdoor eateries became popular in USA.)

Before similar meters were installed in USA, they were all over Barcelona.

Barcelona

Arc de Triomf

Detailed view of center of the Arc de Triomf

Aerial view of Cataluña Square, (c) Comercial Escut D'Or, SA

More of Barcelona

Temple of La Sagrada Familia

Different facades of the Sagrada FamiliaPart of this used as opening photo.

Still under construction

Jesus, Mary and Joseph

An incredible place

This and next two photos of same area.

Closer view

Even closer view.The Sagrada Familia will not be completed by the centenary of architect Antoni Gaudí's death in 2026 as originally planned due to the coronavirus pandemic.

La Sagrada Familia

Parc Güell, designs by GaudÍ

A beautiful place.

More views in the Parc

One of many staicases

Snowflake. An albino Gorilla.Snowflake died of skin cancer. It appears he got his white color via inbreeding.

Main attraction in the Barcelona Zoo.Lived 1964 to 11-23-2003

A Roman bridge we passed on our way to the Monastery in Montserrat

Monastery in Montserrat - Barcelona

St. Joan Hill, where the Monastery is located and Montserrat

Tram which takes visitors to the Monastery

A closer view

The monastery.Santa María de Montserrat

Another view.

Part of the monastery

The church

A closer view of Jesus and His Apostles

A partial view of statues over church entrance at the Monastery at Montserrat, and Postcards - Barcelona

Jesus and a few of His Apostles

A photo I took from inside the bus of Montserrat as we were descending from the Monastery

Parc Güell(c) Comercial Escut D'Or, SA

More Postcards - Barcelona

Parc Güell(c) Comercial Escut D'Or, SA

Different views of La Sagrada Familia(c) Comercial Escut D'Or, SA

Aerial View of Spain Square and "Gran Via de Les Corts Catalanes".(c) Comercial Escut D'Or, SA

The Black Virgin(c) Comercial Escut D´Or, SA

Olympics, Barcelona, July 25 to August 9, 1992

Where the flame was during the games.

Field where the opening ceremonies were held

The flight from Barcelona to Madrid

Madrid

La Plaza Mayor

A close up view

The Royal Palace

Another view of the Royal Palace

The Royal CathedralAlmudena CathedralSanta María la Real De la AlmudenaBegan 1879, consecrated 1993

Kathy and Jorge in front of the Royal CathedralKathy? Part of the tour.

Two Señoritas in front of City Hall

Wayne
(Best Man),
María and
Marc

3522 Bad Karlshafen, Restaurant-Cafe, Aubrege des Cévennes.
Did we go here for the reception?
(c) Fotu-Vertag, F. Tuttass, Karishefen/Weser

Mime seen on the Ramblas, which is a wide
tree-lined boulevard

A sidewalk shelter for customers of Burger King
(During the Covid pandemic these types of outdoor eateries became popular in USA.)

Different facades of the Sagrada Familia
Part of this used as opening photo.

Even closer view.
The Sagrada Familia will not be completed by
the centenary of architect Antoni Gaudí's death in 2026 as originally planned due to the
coronavirus pandemic.

Snowflake. An albino Gorilla.
Snowflake died of skin cancer.
It appears he got his white color via inbreeding.

Main attraction in the Barcelona Zoo.
Lived 1964 to 11-23-2003

St. Joan Hill, where the Monastery is located
and Montserrat

The monastery.
Santa María de Montserrat

A partial view of statues over church entrance at the
Monastery at Montserrat, and Postcards - Barcelona

A photo I took from inside the bus of Montserrat as we were descending
from the Monastery

Parc Güell
(c) Comercial Escut D'Or, SA

Parc Güell
(c) Comercial Escut D'Or, SA

Different views of La Sagrada Familia
(c) Comercial Escut D'Or, SA

Aerial View of Spain Square and "Gran Via de Les Corts Catalanes".
(c) Comercial Escut D'Or, SA

The Black Virgin
(c) Comercial Escut D´Or, SA

The Royal Cathedral
Almudena Cathedral
Santa María la Real De la Almudena
Began 1879, consecrated 1993

Kathy and Jorge in front of the Royal Cathedral
Kathy? Part of the tour.

Street banners welcoming Pope Juan Pablo
to Spain

The bus, which can be seen in the photo, stopped to let us view Toledo.
An incredible view.

The beautiful walled city of Toledo
Tagus River

The cathedral - a close up view
See the bird?

Postcard, by F. Garrido
Larger view below

Madrid, Palacio Real
(c) J.L. Gallegos

General view.
(c) F. Garrido

Aerial view of Avila.
(c) J.M. Zaragoza

Facade of the Puerta de Ramos of the
New Cathedral from Plaza de Anaya

Top - Catedral y Rio Tormes
Bottom - Playa Mayor
(c) Cervantes-Salamanca

Then we moved to Batalha
This is the cathedral

Getting back on the bus.
I liked this bus because it had to doors.

Statue seen before entering Fátima.
This was a surprise stop

Candles and more candles.
Here candle(s) can be lit to make an offering.

Ever wondered where cork came from? This is a cork tree.
The bark is removed, the tree is marked, and no more cork will be
removed until it grows back. What does the bark feel like? Cork!!

500 Escudos, front and back.
Can't remember the exchange rate.

Aerial view of Fátima
Imagine walking the entire field on your knees!!

Coimbra. Partial view of university's stadium
(c) Lifer Porto

Partial view of Monastery at night.
(c) A.L. Sequeira

The Royal Palace
Lisbon/Lisboa

Monument of the Discoveries
We did not have to enter the museum at this site.

Facing the "new" world.
Henry the Navigator has a ship in his hand.

A waiter picked up on my accent, asked me where I was from. I told him. He knew St. Croix well. He had been a waiter on a cruise ship.
Small world.

Sintra, a town in the hills. This is the National Palace.
Cone shaped object on right is the chimney over kitchen.