Barcelona Trip. Tattoo now complete [see pg2]

Krafty · Post by **Krafty** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 7:07 am

Today I've been trawling through the YJ auctions for the next 4 days, getting my bids in and saving images of interesting pieces because tomorrow morning I'm heading off to Barcelona.

Apart from checking out the amazing architecture and museums in the area, my main reaosn for visiting it to get my long-awaited tattoo. I'm booked in from 3-8pm on the Monday and Tuesday and I'm looking forward to it!
The design features Musashi Miyamoto killing a demon and they'll be a freehand sakura tree in the background with falling blossom. Cherry blossom is the ultimate symbol of bushido and the whole design is steeped in meaning/symbolism which I've been building up and reworking over the last decade.

In fact, I think it was in an anime, possibly Tokyo Babylon, that gave an explanation as to why cherry blossom is pink in colour. A folklore states that a dead samurai was buried under a sakura tree and his blood turned the blossom from white to pink. I liked that romanic story and in a way, it's part of the design- the blossom will be white because my samurai is far from dead as he's a kind of 'protector', my own Yojimbo! ^__^

Anyway, I asked DarkSuzaku if he'd be around since he lives in Barcelona, but he's busy with work. It would have been cool to meet up with him, but I won't be short of things to do.
Already booked a meal at the Hard Rock Cafe, will pop by the Contemporary Art Museum, Goudi buildings/Cathedral and plan to visit the Zoo on Wednesday .

I'll report back on Thursday/Friday!

Killua · Post by **Killua** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 8:51 am

Check out the aquarium, it's really great. It might also be fun to go see a Flamenco performance. And yes, you have to check out the Goudi architecture. It's incredible.

Captain Haddock · Post by **Captain Haddock** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 9:27 am

Hey good luck with the tatoo man I hope it works out how you intended! I'd also love to go to Barcelona myself to see Gaudi's cathedral, though not for religious purposes. They often took a few decades to make, but centuries and it's still under construction! I remember looking at some of the details in a book and I have to say I'm not surprised it looks (no pun intended) hellishly complicated not to mention huge.

ZombieBunny · Post by **ZombieBunny** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 11:21 am

ah Krafty I can't wait to see it! Good luck and savor every moment... This is a special one ^__^

cutiebunny · Post by **cutiebunny** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 2:21 pm

Make sure you pick up some Lemon Fanta while you're there. If you're a lemonade fan, I can't recommend it enough.

The Guggenheim has some nice pieces on the upper floors. Lots of Christian artwork from the medievel period. The bottom floor featured these bizarre iron mazes - nice but, as I'm not a modern art fan, it wasn't my cup of tea. But if you like artwork, I suggest picking up the audio tour that the museum offers. It's generally about 5-10 euros and availble in several languages, but as most of the pieces don't carry much of a description, it's definetely worth it.

If you have the time to go elsewhere in Spain, Madrid is just a short ride away on the train, and Sevilla is about 2 hours south of Madrid via the AVE train. Both have a lot to offer, especially Madrid if you enjoy museums. I recommend both the Prado and the Museo de Thyssen-Bormiza collection. On the first Sunday of every month, the entrance fee is waived to most museums in Madrid.

Anyways, enjoy your trip! I absolutely loved Spain and I'm looking forward to going back there one day.

Cloud · Post by **Cloud** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 2:22 pm

I can't decide. You pick one.

shellie · Post by **shellie** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 4:52 pm

Have tons o'fun, krafty! Can't wait to hear about your trip when you get back!!

RoboFlonne · Post by **RoboFlonne** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 6:03 pm

Can't wait to see your Tattoo! Have lot's of fun!

Cloud · Post by **Cloud** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 6:03 pm

Can a book have no title?

duotrouble · Post by **duotrouble** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 10:47 pm

Oh, I am so jealous! I've always wanted to go to Barcelona since a friend went there as an exchange student way back in my high school years. I've made it to Madrid so hopefully one day. Barcelona is on my list.

Take lots of pictures!

And yes, Tokyo Babylon does explain why the cherry blossoms are pink.

Blaster · Post by **Blaster** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 1:06 am

Have fun Krafty!

Make sure to post plety of piccies

Ronin · Post by **Ronin** » Tue Feb 19, 2008 3:02 am

Too cool! Have a blast of a time Krafty! I can't wait to see your tattoo when you come back! I think you've made a wicked choice! Spot on!

I really want one now!

Look after yourself man!

Lynxa · Post by **Lynxa** » Thu Feb 21, 2008 7:33 pm

Have fun Krafty!!!

Barcelona is AWESOME! Just beautiful.

Be sure to post pics of the new ink when you get back!

Krafty · Post by **Krafty** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 10:22 am

So now I've returned and have some personalised artwork of my own to sport. The tattoo isn't finished but I'm really pleased with it so far!
We spent 10 hours on it but I need to go back for another 5-hour sitting to complete the character/tree shading and a background. It wasn't possible to continue into the third day I was there because my skin couldn't take the needle abuse. Hopefully I can get a couple of days off work in April so it can be completed then. The tattooist is keen to get it done as he can add the piece to his portfolio of work and his websites.
You can see a couple of pictures below, taken 3 days after the last session.

Killua wrote:Check out the aquarium, it's really great. It might also be fun to go see a Flamenco performance. And yes, you have to check out the Goudi architecture.

Thanks for those suggestions, shortly after I read your post I reseached the Aquarium online but it didn't get good reviews. I've been to a lot of them over the years anyway so I thought I'd give it a miss. I wentr to the Zoo though and that was brilliant! So many different animals there and the layout of the park was really well constructed. I'm glad I went in February because there weren't too many tourists or kids running about.

Captain Haddock wrote:I'd also love to go to Barcelona myself to see Gaudi's cathedral, though not for religious purposes. They often took a few decades to make, but centuries and it's still under construction!

You're right, it is an amazing structure. The Segrada Familia's facia and rear is complete but there's little else at the moment. Because it's construction is funded by donations and not the government, it takes a while to afford the building work. My brother went on an 'artistic tour' of the city and the guide said that they hope to complete the Cathedral by 2070. Maybe I can return to see it in full form when I'm 90!

cutiebunny wrote:Make sure you pick up some Lemon Fanta while you're there. If you're a lemonade fan, I can't recommend it enough.
The Guggenheim has some nice pieces on the upper floors...

Heh, we get Lemon Fanta here in the UK already so I know what you mean. Still, while I was there I did take your advice and bought a bottle

I was pushed for time so couldn't travel outside of Barcelona- I did a lot of walking and saw many interesting streets, shops and galleries on the way. Tried to find the Museum of Modern Art which was displayed in a tourist book I had, but it wasn't actually there! The book was published in 2002 so it wasn't that old either.
After that I took a long walk back and passed under the Arc de Triompf, it doesn't look the same as the French version

duotrouble wrote:And yes, Tokyo Babylon does explain why the cherry blossoms are pink.

Thanks for confirming that, Duo! I knew I had seen it somewhere but it was over a decade ago and I couldn't quite place the scene.

Captain Haddock · Post by **Captain Haddock** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 12:00 pm

Wow looks like you've done alright over there glad you enjoyed yourself and that's some beautiful work you've had done! Is that gonna be it or is this the start of something more, I only ask because alot of people I know who get them tend to get more once they've started? Watching my friend who trained as a tattoo artist was fun principally because he used himself as a guinea pig and subsequently, as he was right handed, covered his entire left arm and leg in tats of variable quality.