Celebrating 40 in Barcelona

To start Dad's birthday off right, we sang to him at breakfast and headed to Camp Nou (Soccer stadium for Barcelona FC) for an audio tour through the museum, press box, locker room, and stadium.  Needless to say these soccer fans loved every minute of it and learned so much.  It was a highlight to actually be where so many of their favorite soccer players compete and to learn about the Barcelona club.  The history of the club is over 100 years old and represents so much more than just football. Barcelona, part of the Catalonia region, has a very storied history with the country of Spain, and to this day there still exists a great deal of pride, as well as their own language and way of life.

Museum Poster with Neymar wearing a "100% Jesus" headband that kids found interesting

The name "Camp Nou" means "new ground" in the Catalan language and is named this after the prohibition said that no name could be found on the stadium except for that of it's creator; therefore the National Delegate of Sports under the Franco rule could not have his name on the stadium.  In 1965 members voted to name it "Official Stadium of Barcelona Futbol Club," and in 2001 the members renamed it Camp Nou.  Barcelona's motto is, "More than a club," and as we have travelled this year have seen the impact of this as Barcelona jerseys are seen being worn by people on every continent and whenever one of our boys has worn a Barcelona hat or shirt, people will ask them, "Neymar or Messi?  Barcelona or Madrid?" be it if we are in South America, Cambodia, Africa, or Jerusalem!  The enthusiasm the world feels for this club and sport have united a passion across the globe that connects people despite race or status.  Interestingly, some of Barcelona's supporter clubs represent people with physical disabilities, people in prisons, and young people who are encouraged to make goo life choices in difficult environments.

Messi's authentic golden Ballon d'Or

G with Messi (sort of) & his gold cleats

Camp Nou group photo

Post game booth... almost looks like he belongs, no?

Blown away by the fame

Most the world's famous players have walked through this very hall

13 Euros gets you a few blades of grass clippings from the Camp Nou field

Press box selfies

Camp Nou Pano

Dad's groupies at the stadium

Down on the field!

Dad's groupies at the stadium

Down on the field!

The future Camp Nou with more seats and a covered roof!

HIGHLIGHTS OF CAMP NOU:
Brad:  Meeting the soccer player from Rochester, MN who was selling turf clippings
Ray:  The press box, being on the field and looking up, and learning about the history of the team and field in the Catalan region
Dad: Sitting in the press box imagining that was my seat
Mom:  Learning the history of the club and its worldwide impact
C-oldest: Seeing and walking through history, and better understanding that Barcelona's mortal enemy over 100 years ago was still Real Madrid, seeing the stadium empty, I love soccer and seeing old shoes, gold shoes, and balls along with Neymar's Jesus headband
CB: Getting to go on the grass level and I thought it was funny how they sold the grass
G:  Getting my shirt from Uncle Ray and learning how much one team can influence the world, and Neymar's headband
SJ: I like Neymar's earrings

After a quick bite to eat we headed to La Sagrada Familia, where we were once again in awe.  We walked around the exterior learning about the meaning of different aspects of the architecture and sculptures and then headed inside.  Since Mom and Dad had been here in '99 they had added the beautiful stained glass windows and the way the sun shone through these in the afternoon was absolutely stunning!  Saudi desire for this church to an example of luminous and harmonious light with a proper balance as both abundant light as well as lack of light cause one to be blind and not see.

Sagrada Familia with the boys

Started in 1882 and still going

The gang in front of La Sagrada Familia

Gaudi's office

Small portion of the passion facade

G in awe - one of the best parts is getting to watch the kids' fasces as they take it all in!

Stain glass in Sagrada

Stain glass in Sagrada - in the oranges and reds John 8:12 (I am the Light of the World) is written

All natural light

The blue and green windows represent water and at one point have the words
of John 4:14 (I am the Living Water) written in them

Sagrada's Hyperboloids (this is the ceiling)

Interesting columns & architecture up the spire

HIGHLIGHTS OF LA SAGRADA FAMILIA:
Brad: Quote about Gaudi that he's either a genius or a madman, and learning that by Gaudi's desk was a sack with bread, honey, and meat in it - he must have been semi-monk...  The closer he got to heaven the more whacky design of the scepters because he could see the Divine.  I love architecture and this is the coolest I've ever seen!
Ray: This was my sixth visit and the orange stain glass was cool because last time it was covered.  It was also meaningful to happen upon the prayer room (this was a highlight for all of us adults as it was a special moment to pray for Ray as he processed his Dad's recent passing and remembered visiting here with him).
Dad: The stained glass because it wasn't there last time in 1999- the guy who put it in was hired in 1999 and it was installed in 2001.  This guy didn't know the plans but interesting how he determined colors, etc.
Mom: Seeing it all again with the insight/perspective of age, with amazing light and realizing the gift of being here with our 4 kids and 2 friends that love Matt enough to travel half the world to be with us... and think of kids getting to return but having this memory of their "first"  It also made me think of the movie What Dreams May Come as well as wonder if some of the architecture was an inspiration for MC Escher's work.
C the oldest: Stained glass windows, uniqueness - so much detail and no straight lines to be found because Gaudi didn't believe there are straight lines in nature.. and it's all SO big!
CB: The size of it all, and everything in the interior, from glass windows to everything.
G: The bell towers, stained glass and light, statues on the first side (Passion side) that we looked at from the outside with the cool buttresses.
SJ:  The big dome that would like up and the church and I likeded how they built it and made it and worked hard on it and had beautiful things.

Afterwards we headed to Dad's birthday dinner celebration at one of Uncle Ray's favorite restaurants in Barcelona, Cafe L'Academia.  We enjoyed sharing highlights of our day and memories of Dad over great food and fellowship.  It was such a treat and to wrap it all up the lights turned off as a saxophonist came out playing Happy Birthday for Dad!

Mom and the kids returned to the apartment and the guys got to have some time out together, a special treat for Dad! They ultimately stayed a bit too late realizing they are not in college anymore :).  All in all it was a great way to celebrate a milestone birthday.

Celebrating Dad's birthday

Happy 40th!