Sitges

It was once a fishing village. In the 1890s, it was a hangout for avant-garde artists. Now, Sitges is a chic touristy town, known especially for its gay partygoers.  My friend, Sharon, and I met at 9am on this Saturday morning to travel by train 30 kilometers south along the coast to this small beach town. While the rest of Spain slept, we began our day of wandering and photographing.  Here, Art Nouveau details kiss classic Spanish features: floral tiles, red roofs, and succulents hanging from balconies.

 This church is the most famous landmark in Sitges. Esglesia de Sant Bartomeu i Santa Tecla sits atop a rocky outcrop by the sea, guarded by a canon facing the waters. And this mermaid:

We stopped to check out a temporary exhibit of Art Deco engravings by a Barcelona artist from the 1890s, Ismael Smith.

And this modern street art of the 2010s:

We took a dip in the sea to cool down. It is still reallllly hot here.

  

Street signs in Catalan and Castilian:

A wedding photo shoot of a wedding photo shoot:

Tapas all lined up and ready to be served:

When the town went to siesta (or migdiada, in Catalan), we took the train back to Barcelona, and I ended the day by seeing a performance of "Swan Lake" by the world-reknowned National Ballet Company of Cuba at the Teatro Tivoli.  

The theatre was built in 1915.

There was an article in the paper this morning about how the Director of the Cuban ballet company is in his 80s and blind. How does that work?  I don't know, but it really worked.  It was stunning and moving.  This performance was part of the month-long dance festival in town right now called Dansalona. Tomorrow's agenda is a modern-dance tribute to Edward Gorey.  We'll see what that's all about?!?