A visit to the Picasso Museum (Museu Picasso) in Barcelona

Honestly, I was never a Picasso fan. I saw few of his paintings in MOMA (Museum of Modern Art in NYC) and I wasn't blown away. I was very iffy on visiting the Picasso Museum in Barcelona but it is among the must see attractions, I decided to pay a visit.  The museum primarily traces the early years of Picasso and it was very refreshing to see a lot more realism and less of cubism in his paintings and trace his gradual progression to cubism. Here were my 5 favorites at the Picasso museum

1. The gored horse - Because I have never seen any other of his paintings that show an animal with such precision and realism.

2. Science and Charity - Picasso plays a perspective trick here. The bed expands and shrinks as you walk back and forth.

3. Female Nude - Created during the blue period. Since Picasso's best fried committed suicide, all his paintings were dominantly in blue color. In spite of her being nude, you tend to focus on her face. Something very matter of fact about her being nude.

4. The dead women  - Another one from the blue period. To me, she looks so calm and composed as if she is in absolute peace.

5. Las Meninas - This is my favorite. Picasso pays a tribute to the famous painter Velazquez. The best way to appreciate this painting is to compare it with the original and admire Picasso's interpretation of the original. I couldn't help laughing at the dog's transformation. I would love to play spot the difference with these two paintings.

The lovely Scottish Highlands

In my opinion, a trip to Scotland is incomplete without visiting the Scottish Highlands. Most of the people I know, spend a day or two in Edinburgh (which is spectacular) and the trip ends at that. But  visiting the Scottish highlands is a very different and gorgeous experience and this is coming from a person who gets bored after spending 30 minutes in nature. The tour companies recommended going to the Highlands in the summer but I don't regret visiting the highlands in the winter. The peaks are snow clad and look stunning. One day tours are easily available on the royal mile and charge approximately £40. If it is your lucky day, may be £35 The typical itinerary covers the Stirling castle, Glencoe (west highlands), Ben Nevis, Loch Ness, East Highlands, Pitlochry and in that order. I loved Glencoe though Loch Ness was a bit over-rated especially since you don't get to see the monster. I satiated my monster cravings by taking a look at the mirror :). Loch Ness is still worth the visit though.

One tip would be to check the weather because taking a day trip to the Scottish Highlands as Scotland is known for unpredictable rains. Glencoe was spectacular. Its oxymoronic that a place so gorgeous was called the weeping Glen as in 1692 the Redcoats (a clan) murdered their own hosts (the Mac Donald's Clan - not the American burger chain :)) who provided them shelter from the cold and the dreadful weather thus breaching the Scottish code of hospitality. The reason being, the MacDonald's were not prompt enough to pledge their allegiance to the William and Mary (the Scottish Queen, with dreadful choice in husbands :)). Weeping or not weeping, breath taking would be an understatement for Glencoe. I am definitely heading back to the highlands in the summer. Till then here are the spectacular pictures of Glencoe taken during the winter. Actually I think they look more like a painting than a picture.

 

And the holiday season is here!

Christmas is gorgeous in Europe's. Here are my pictures from four European cities Warsaw, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Dublin. Warsaw was a clear winner :)

Warsaw, Poland

 

 

Novy Swiat, Warsaw Poland

 

 

 

 Royal Castle and Old Town, Warsaw, Poland

 

 

 

George Square - Glasgow, Scotland

Edinburgh Christmas Market, Scotland



Food and more food!

Food is an integral part of travel. It teaches you most about culture of the place. Here are a few of my lovely travel food memories.

Basque Country Creme Brulee, Granja Viader, Ramblas, Spain (Very popular sweet shop, had to wait for 15 minutes to get in)

Strawberry Cheesecake

Patatas Bravas and Sangria, Barcelona, Spain

Baby Squid - Pinotxo Bar, La Boqueria Market, Ramblas, Barcelona, Spain

Basque Country Cuisine - Pintxos and Montaditos at Sagardi, El Born, Barcelona, Spain

Fresh Sea Food at La Paradeta Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, Spain (You buy the fish and then they cook it for you)

Pierogis (Traditional Polish Dumplings) in Warsaw, Poland

Zapienkanka - Warsaw Poland

Chocolate cake at E Wedel in Krakow,Poland. One should not miss this.

Gofry (Waffles) with apple and blueberry sauce in Gdansk, Poland

Belgian Blond Beer in Bruges, Belgium

Cranachan in Edinburgh, Scotland

Traditional smoked salmon in Gdansk, Poland

Cherry Beer in Ghent, Belgium (My favourite)

Traditional Pasta in Florence, Italy (Was indeed very fresh and no frills)

Belgian Fries with Samurai Sauce in Bruges, Belgium

The strongest beer I have ever had. Guinness in Dublin, Ireland. Next on the list is O' Harris :)

The best Vietnamese food ever! In Warsaw, Poland.

 Flemish Cuisine at Bruges, Belgium

Flavoured Vodka Shots in Warsaw, Poland