To those who check this spot, I interpret your dilligence as a wish for my continued good health as well as a hope that I have eventually said something of value.
Presently I am in a turbulent health environment It has snatched from my unrelentless hold onto youth. I conceed. My body cannot do what it once could. Thus I am constructing bunkers for future onsaults. Sideline about the timing of my storms: They coincides with those widely spoken of in middle west United States.
This post chronicles events May 2013 that have become treasured memories. They occurred before the onset of my turbulence.
The memories began on a fifteen days crossing aboard the Nieuw Amsterdam. The ship departed Fort Lauderdale, FL and I disembarked at Barcelona, Spain. Before reaching the destination, much drama passed. Click this link to read the details of the sea rescue.
The rescue was exciting. The cruisers gathered on her decks to witness.. When the first rescued was aboard, our humanitarian goose pimples spontaneously erupted into thunderous applauds.
A rescue on the high seas is something to witness. But for me, the skil it took to make this rescue successful was never overshadowed.
Picture an ‘oceangoing’ vessel on the high seas slowly but with much grace approaching a stranded 42-feet vessel. Coordinating the scales of these vessels on a constantly shifting sea that ended in successful rescue of stranded humans is what I believe we subsonciously recorded. Thereby triggering the spontaneous thunderous applauds to honor that skill to save lives. However exciting and memorable these events were not the reason for my trip .
The purpose of this trip was to see the church, la Sagrada Familia. It has been under construction for more than 100 years. Many reasons can be offered but in today’s let-do-it-quickly world that’s a long time to construct anything. The principle human character is Antoni Gaudi. His influence is massive! It invades a huge part of the city.
My hotel is in the Horta-Guinardo district. It was a leisurely 1/3 mile downhill stroll to Sagrada Familia. Along my downward path, the spires of Sagrada were always in view.
Walk to Sagrada Familia
The neighborhood was busy: a relaxed busy.
Within one block
It houses hospital complexes,
Within one block
commercial and residential buildings.
Cafes, restuarants were inexpensive.
Speciality shops were everywhere.
Within one block of hotel: A CANDY STORE
The people? I experienced only friendliness, kindness and desire to be helpful. Now remember my background as we turn in another direction.
La Sagrada Familia is a church built of stone and knowledge but something beyond nature and man directs it. For me, it was a mathematical marvel unfolding before my eyes.
If students of calculus are able to visit the Sagrada Familia, I believe they would experience the same marvel, would desire to learn how it is being constructed and gain a deeper appreciation for calculus, art and architecture, while witnessing the unfolding of this new creation. Further, they would learn how la Sagrada Familia was conceived and how basic mathematical models from their calculus classes are used to accomplish all of this.
La Sagrada Familia is a a new creation. It affirms that spirituality is an integral part of our being. It supports the value we place on art. It attests mathematics’ major role to man in the creation process and it makes clear the power of an economic stimulus in a waning economy.
Enjoy a few photos.
Is this how Gaudi sees himself: a slave to his call?
How Gaudi sees himself?
The church’s exterior.
The entry is a marble slab honoring the Jerusalem pilgrimage.
Prigrimage to Jerusalem
Inside the church: A shot from the rear of the church, looking upwards, a staircase: sanctuary right.
Filed under: education, good time, mathematics, memoirs, My thoughts, photos
