This is Barcelona: the pause.

That moment of communion with your groceries before you haul them up three flights of stairs. 

This is Barcelona: anarchism

Nothing says Barcelona like anarchist graffiti.  This is a nice twist on the black 'A in circle' thing all over the neighborhood.

This is BCN

everyday things that make me smile:

Castellers practice!

This is BCN: still under construction

But still beautiful. Reminds me of this interview with Tahiti Pehrson: "If I “see” it all the way to the end, it’s not worth doing."

This is BCN: beach or library?

These signs can be found at eye level on the front doors at the public libraries.

That they are necessary is, well, so Barcelona.

This is BCN: public transportation

It is super great. Did you know that they do yearly surveys, and all the regular riders of the metro look out for the surveyors?

This year the metro received a rating of 8/10 (really, really good) by people who rode it regularly.

It's also easy for tourists to use the metro. But it's not the only transport in BCN. This city also has: city busses, neighborhood busses (teeny and adorable), three funiculars, trams, and these commuter trains called ferrocarriles (both below and above ground).

But the cutest public transportation? This old-fashioned trolley. I snapped a few photos of it in the maintenance shed the other day.

This is BCN: man toilets

Or more accurate, bad English translation.

This is why I have a job, guys.

Found this gem in Sants Estación. It made me laugh really hard.

This is BCN

Getting dropped off at school on dad's motorcycle.

This is BCN: metro tickets

From 1926. Some things never change.

This is BCN: independence

A Catalan independence flag and a sign that reads "language is culture; language is a right."

This is Barcelona: oranges and a blue sky

... in January! I can't get over it. (ALSO DID YOU SEE THE PALM TREES???)

This is BCN: I met Elvis.

In the Estación de Francia. He was happy to pose for a photo. Missing a dobro, though ... :)

This is Barcelona

Everyday things that make me smile: suspicious lady and adorable puppies on the metro.

This is Barcelona

Everyday things that make me smile: surreal door knocker on the AV/ Diagonal. Apple, anybody? :)

This is Barcelona: everyday things that make me smile.

old men playing bocce ball in front of the sagrada familia.

note the man bags.