Expo Wasteland

Last night after we put the kids to bed, Dave and I went up on the roof terrace with some wine and cheese. There was a warm breeze, but the heat and humidity from the day had already dissipated. Now that we are familiar with the city, it meant more to us to look out at the cityscape. The view of the luminescent Cathedral was amazing.

This morning it was overcast and windy, so we thought it would be a good day for a long walk to a 45-metre high tower with a camera obscura at the top. As we walked, it dripped rain on us, but never amounted to a real rainfall. It was a refreshing change from the heat. When we reached our destination we had to wait 20 minutes only to find out that, because of the clouds, it was not worth making the ascent to the camera. So, we had ice cream.


Earlier, the kids had noticed a rocket ship on the other side of the river and were interested in checking it out. We headed across after our ice cream. We found ourselves in the middle of the abandoned Expo 92 site and the weather was getting quite intense. We were literally pushed by the wind down this barren street while sand and debris blasted our legs. Large tree branches actually broke off a couple trees as we walked by. The scene was something out of one of those “Post-End-of-the-World” movies (like The Book of Eli) – abandoned buildings, broken lamp posts, weeds growing up through dilapidated escalators. It was bizarre and dismal.

By the time we returned to civilization as we know it, the clouds were breaking up and the familiar heat was mounting. We ate lunch and then sought refuge in the air conditioning of the Museum of Fine Art. Jasmin read the synopsis for each room to everyone, while Lukas located the paintings or sculptures highlighted in the brochure.


After a siesta in our casa we headed out; once again in search of football fans. Lukas, who had been sporting his new España football jersey all day, was quite pleased with all the attention it gathered for himself. We ended up at the same restaurant where we had watched the game the other day. Since we were early, we got prime seats (although the crowd was not as big as last time). We hunkered down, had dinner and watched the game.

Once again Spain was victorious!


It is turning out to be an extra benefit to be a witness to the enthusiasm as the whole country revels in the success of its football team.


The car horns and celebratory singing in the streets come in bursts. I think it will be quite some time tonight before the city quiets down and the last car horn rests.