Leap of faith in 1797

Happy Anniversary!

André-Jacques Garnerin

Born

31 January 1769 Paris

Died

18 August 1823 (aged 54) Paris

Nationality French

Known for being a Pioneer balloonist and parachuter.

Schematic depiction of Garnerin's first parachute used in the Parc Monceau descent of 22 October 1797.

Illustration dates from the early nineteenth century.

Garnerin releases the balloon and descends with the help of a parachute, 1797.

André-Jacques Garnerin
(31 January 1769 – 18 August 1823)

and to remind you bucket listers;


a balloonist and the inventor of the frameless parachute.

He was appointed Official Aeronaut of France.

And a bit of a hero in my eyes.





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Beccy does Barca for me

My lovely niece Beccy sent me a question:

'If you have time to visit one gallery in Barcelona, which one would it be?'

So I replied:

Darlinka,

You have to go to http://fundaciomiro-bcn.org/fjm/mobile/en/index

It is the Joan Miro museum and it is bloody marvellous. He was a great bloke as you will see.

Don't look at the map and think 'oh, I'll walk it' cos it's up a blooming great hill! You can get there by bus or funicular or take your life in your hands and go by cable car from Barcelloneta which is spectacular, if u don't mind heights and maybe dieing. You have to go there!

The Catallan museum is dull and brown. The Picasso museum is ok but not showing his best work and full of tourists which of course we are not.

The chocolate museum is ok but you can go into the gift shop for free. The museum of Modern Art is ok if you know who everyone is, which i didn't... And the Joan Miro museum is beautiful to walk around and go on the roof and see his sculptures, infact I want a photo of you there, looking at the amazing view! No pressure.





She's a good girl...





So I gave her a few more ideas,





Restaurants

Els Quatre Gats
Famous for being Pablo Picasso's old hangout, Els Quatre Gats a piece of living history. The name means "The four cats" in Catalan (Los Cuatro Gatos in Spanish) and is a Spanish expression which means "a few insignificant people." (Don't take personally).

Shops

Go to a shop called Vinçon, if its raining, there's a tree growing through it and if you go outside on their veranda you can see inside a Gaudi building for free! Go to Park Guell (sp?) and enjoy a bit more Gaudi.

Everyone says Barcelona is dangerous but it's no more dangerous than walking around any big city but just don't be daft.

I'm sooooooo jealous!!!!

But the best thing is discovering your own places, you can't go wrong.

One practical tip

When you arrive at the airport, get the bus to Placa Catalunya. Takes about 20 mins, it is the cheapest way to get into the city, and it will help you find your feet. You can go back to the airport from Placa C. too.



Cacao Sampaka

www.cacaosampaka.com
AddressConsell de Cent 292, 08007, Barcelona
Nearest MetroPasseig de Gràcia L3
City DistrictEixample: Eixample I
Telephone+34 932720833
E-mailbarcelona-eixample@cacaosampaka.com

Cacao Sampaka chocolate shop and cafe Barcelona. Heaven for chocolate lovers. Cacao Sampaka has chocolate in many varieties and flavours, in all shapes and sizes. Cacao Sampaka is a chocolate shop and the chocolate cafe is at the back of the store serving hot and cold chocolate drinks and chocolate pastries.



Markets

http://www.boqueria.info/index.php?lang=en

You've got to go there too. Most expensive down the middle, side aisles are cheaper. And eat there.



Exhausted? She should have been...
Not our Becky, she only took part in the Barcelona Marathon. And beat all the blokes by the look of it!






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