ROAD TRIP
Recently I got to indulge in one of my favourite activities. Border hopping. Always an amusing adventure as I currently have no Passport, Valid ID, or QR code.
Long story.
It does make it more interesting.
We had a good but brief day trip over the nearest border for some general shopping and supplies in Spain with my pal @edprivat , and the boss @iaura and of course my boy.
Of course as per usual the little road we took into Spain was empty.
One of the places on the itinerary was Bossost a Small border town with plenty of restos and shops targeting the tourists.
It thankfully isn't tourist season right now, Summers over and skiing hasn't opened up yet, so it was nice and peaceful.
If your ever there, in the central town these 2 Tapas Bars compete directly with each other, You cant go wrong with either. Seriously the food is awesome.
This time we hit the one on the left.
Rather Funny. My son only wanted to eat the battered Calamari rings, He ate an entire bowl near enough, and when he was getting full he pulled the squid out of the batter to eat, and left the batter.
Classic.
Where we had a cracking Tapas lunch and a bit of a breather. Well everyone else had a breather I took the chance to once again tread on dangerous territory.
Holy ground.
Bienvenidos a La Iglesia de la Purificacio de Maria
Seriously this door is sat wide open with just a few security cameras guarding the doors, free for all to visit and directly opposite those 2 Tapas bars. I couldn't resist a quick look around.
There's some really nice detailing on and above the doors. Including some kind of variation on the Early Christos Monogram or Christogram.
I think it may be the logo for the new Vatican licensed replacement for Instagram.
I'm always more than a little impressed by the stone carvings and designs incorporated into these buildings.
And as you can see there's plenty of detail around the windows and under the eaves of some seriously thick slate roofing tiles.
This particular section of the stonework I found Really interesting, Different styles and detailing around each window in a random patchwork of styles.
Most likely due to years of repairs and replacements rather than by design but it still looks cool.
And of course the almost obligatory huge bell tower waiting for its hunchback to ascend the stairs.
The back door if anything is far more impressive than the front the detailing and craftsmanship is unique.
Churches are always good places to find some interesting carvings. I guess its time to go indoors.
So far so Good, I'm in and I haven't burst into flame.
Ok that's pretty damn impressive.
I always enjoy standing under these arched ceilings and looking up. It has always given me A strange almost disjointed feeling.
Like looking at the sky when its the wrong shade of blue.
That electric blue sky you only get on the coldest clearest winter days.
It somehow feels like I've moved onto another place without lifting my feet.
While not a religious man, I did light a couple of candles. Just because the people I lit them for would have appreciated it.
Obviously If you wanted to see some quality art back in the day the church was the place to be.
Just look at all the gold leaf detailing on that panel, That's some serious bling.
I really want one of these spinning bells. I don't know why I want one. I Just DO.
I ignored the do not touch signs everywhere and gave it a spin. They Are seriously loud.
Scared the shit outta myself.
This Lot of candles had me in stitches. 21st century remembrance candles. LED lights that look like candles and it takes a 1 Euro coin to make one turn on.
I guess this if for the people who cant be trusted with fire, or maybe they'll set it up to accept google pay someday.
Even Jesus doesn't look impressed.
More of those fantastic pillars and arches. Yeah its one of those things.
There next to a not so old statue of Mary with a head that is somehow way too big for the body.
That ladies and gentleman is an original Wall painting from the 13th or 14th Century.
To think all of the walls would have been plastered and painted with scenes like that once upon a time.
That statue though... Seriously I thing the guy who designed it was trippin balls. What the hell did he use for scale to get that noggin.
Up there's more of the terrible renovation work done on the last revamp. Cheap yellow pine boarding and a souvenir rack next to...
A Pair of seriously gilded carvings.
Because what better way to display your priceless historical artefacts than with cheap Ikea down lighting
At least they did a better job of showing this section off.
And I do like a bit of stained glass. So all in all its Been a really calm place to have a walk around. Due to it being lunchtime and out of season the whole time I was inside I never saw a soul.
It was awesome.
A great way to pass some contemplative time, even though the last renovation team should have been fired before they started.
Now its time for some...
Fun Facts
The building itself was most likely constructed in the 10th century and added to respectively in the 11th and 12th centuries. At least most Historians seem to agree on that one. A lot of internet research just lumps it down as 12th century.
As with most of these kind of buildings it was a progressive effort.
However due to the size and construction methods used in the older section of the building and the symbolism. Its widely believed it may be from as early as the 8th century. Like all such things its impossible to really tell.
Cause people had more important things to do than worry about keeping track of silly things when there were wars to be fought.
The last lot of renovation work which I consistently complain about, included adding some modern carvings and details on display as well as the coin-op candle machine. I personally think they should have installed A Pac Man Arcade cabinet. It would be just as fitting.
There are petitions around the village to Un-Renovate the building. I for one completely agree.
Regardless as one of the oldest and most intact churches of its kind in the Val D'Aran its well worth a trip.
ok... so normally when people put in so many photos - it overwhelms me cuz I'm trying to take in so much - but this post... wow.. one after the other, I was like whooooooooa!!!!
there was SO MUCH there - i can't even express how beautiful these buildings are! from the outside detail (that is EVERYWHERE!!!) to all the tiniest details inside! wow!
so beautiful - that gilding
so hilarious - the LED candles!!!! LOL
so scandalous - what is wrong with you hitting those bells hahahahaha ok ok - what did they sound like. shit if you're gonna break the rules - get a video so you can share it with the rest of us!!! hahahahaha
oh by the way - you didn't burst into flames - because I JUST NOW prayed over you, and asked God to post-apply it to your entrance.
YOU'RE WELCOME.
tell me beforehand next time??? I'll pray extra lots for your soul (oh you think i'm kidding...)
hehehe
this was a great post - and are you freaking kidding me??? you got to meet up with @edprivat????
you guys are jerks for living so close to each other. meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!
no meetups without meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
I wondered why the usual ball of fire didn't accompany my entry. Ill let you know in advance next time as the smell of scorched hair takes days to get out of my underwear.
Of course were jerks 😜
Next time I break a rule that wont get me incarcerated I'll film it!
As for the LED candles, it was hilarious.
What an interesting comment from you...it made me smile ...@dreemsteem
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Now that sounds like my kind of border hopping. If they catch you at the border, do you got warrants in your name?
Those old crypt/fortification churches seem more than a little creepy. Makes me think of Norwegian death metal...
Nah manage to usually keep the warrant sheet clean here, I been stopped a few times over the years but playin stupid has always worked out ok. I'm good at playin stupid
I remember when all that was kickin off in back in the day, thankfully no one turned up with torches. So the building still stands!
Playing stupid has gotten me out of so much trouble over the years. Them 'dumb hillbilly' stereotypes come in quite handy sometimes 😎
Really loved this post, never heard of the term border hopping 😂.
I hope that you will explain in one of your next posts why you have no Passport, Valid ID, or QR code... I am really curious.
To be sure to not miss it, I will start following you 😁
Thanks, As I say its a long story 😂 I'll get around to it at some stage!
Very interesting place and look very ancient. Beautiful photos!
Thanks, it is a really great place to visit.
The stonework is lovely...
@rubido
Thanks alot!
You are welcome
You know your post is interesting and at the same time funny especially where you had to spin the bell even after knowing you shouldn't touch it and got your end result which was getting scared🤣. I enjoyed reading through. Actually Spain is my dream land and I'll one day visit it and most importantly I'll figure out this interesting place too and probably get to spin the bell as well. Nice post and lovely images.
Thanks, anytime I see a no entry sign or do not touch I find it hard to resist. Spain is amazing, the food is great and the people are brilliant. I prefer the northern edge, but Barcelona and Catalunya are well worth a visit.
When you spin the bell brave yourself, they are LOUD.
Lol! Don't let it get you into a jungle run one day🤣.
Mm! Noted. Thanks
Hahaha! I'll be ready for it.
Old architecture. My absolute favourite. I could get lost in those curves. It seems that the Mary statue you found was the Bratz of her time. Big head with big eyes. And back in the day when the artist made it, everyone were adoring it, because that was the time of big head fashion. Big heads were commercially more profitable than small heads on statues. And we're laughing to that. Us fools.
The people in IKEA just don't know how to carv well enough anymore.
I'm voting for the Pac Man Arcade cabinet too. Where can I cast my vote?
Haven't you read the Old Testament story about Uzzah touching the ark of the covenant? That's how you get yourself smitten by God dude.
!PIZZA
That's why it's called Old Brandt. The New one makes it a lot easier to get smitten.
I guess I've been doing the bible wrong this whole time. So I should stop starting my campfires with pages from the New Testament?
I mean if it's all you got, God won't mind, it's written on your heart. I hear twigs and brush, dead leaves are decent ignition.
But the bible is so much drier.
I've played with enough fire, I'm cool now.
You're going to hell for that pun.
So far so good no thunderbolts or lightning, I'm sure if I ever come across the Ark it would cause some serious problems. 😁
the place is very beautiful, it has a medieval charm, which makes me go back to the time of many years ago, what a beautiful walk
Ooh wee. You even got Relaxo to lift a finger.
Wassup man? I waited a few days. Every time I hear from someone how not bad it is out there my hope in humanity restores slightly.
Or a smidgen
Ok this much
Whatever
Aye I was happily surprised! As for restoring any of my hope in humanity at this point I'll take whatever
I don't think you understand what I've done and it wasn't intentional: You even got Relaxo to lift a finger is possibly the best tag sentence I've ever created.
Keep an eye out for me, when I see Relaxo votes, I'm gonna be dropping my new slogan on'em. He idles the trending page waiting for content to hit trending. As soon as they do, he upvotes it too to as income. Plus he comes with a Haejin vote so it looks good on the balance sheet.
They've only stopped by my content two times in four years, always nice when they do. Congrats! Ready? I'm gonna practice again.
You even got Relaxo to lift a finger. Not sure about the bold. Maybe it'll be better bold and italic.
You even got Relaxo to lift a finger. Better.....
Nah didn't miss it, was actually feeling embarrassed as it didn't feel finished when I uploaded it. That explains why I don't see any Relaxo related curation posts, don't really know who either of them are. Pretty sure the upvote was accidental but I'll take what I get and be grateful.
It's a great tag sentence but as per usual I write for my fans, which basically means... Fuck I got 78 followers! Now that's what impresses me.
Best ©dandays You even got Relaxo to lift a finger
It'd be more meaningful if I knew who he was, probably 👊
I consider votes from people like you,nine,ed,dreem,insane,brandt yadda yadda I'm on my phone and can't be assed to type anymore names.
Those votes?
Now that shit counts for something
Congrats on the followers Rubido, hell yeah. I love it when people say stuff like that. When something like a comment changes their mood from good to better or excited by number of followers—love it! I could go off right now about the things people get excited/upset about as though there isn't a whole world spinning outside their window, "did you see how much" or "wa! I should've made more!" :vomit: 78—dope!
Your article reward is No accident. Don't ever talk to me like that again!!!! You earned every penny dude, well deserved. I think it's only at half where it should be so there. Thbbb.
Please tell all your friends about the blockchain. We need more people who think like that.
As for no accident I appreciate the confidence. I got 3 people in the works and I think they will be great on here. One dude is doing up his future dream home, a bus, ones a pilot and the others homeless living in his van. But I've said if he records his adventures here he can have full use of the facilities and of course my fine redneck cuisine.
To be honest he knows he can use my place anyways.
I'm old school, if you wanna help someone out show them people care, the following I've gained is way more important than the rewards. I'll post for a 0.001 reward. I also got a bad habit of getting carried away.
The confidence of getting people to read what you have to say? Priceless.
People like yourself, and the ones I mentioned and do mention. That's why I'm here.
It feels honest and simple. I don't have to worry so much about what I say.
Btw- your hydro and general electric post is awesome, I started a reply and tried to reblog but my connection has been a C U N T
Im comfortable with anything under 400v but damn man that's a serious service. I got a buddy who used to install 3 foot diameter copper rod at a power plant, sounds fuckin terrifying
It's a living thing. A living, breathing thing. Scared will get you killed as I'm sure aware. Thanks dude, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Seems I'm not done running my thumbs yet...
Watch this:
"Home is in the intellectual capacity to be happy."
Dope right?? A 'homeless guy' named Mark taught me that. I don't quote many people other than myself, that's one of the brightest things I've ever heard. Let me know if you need help onboarding those three. 👍🏿
Fantastic. I miss Europe- tacky renovations and LED candles aside, this is still beautiful and though I have the same fears of bursting into flame, I love the churches there. Architecture, history, people. Here we get corrugated iron shacks. Well, we do have some churches that are 200ish years old, dating to 1809.. 😂
I did get married in a church, tho I thought I never would. It was 700 years old, and really lovely. It wasn't anywhere near as ornate but the fact it was in a rural place with a stream next to it made me feel connected to all the love stories that had walked down the aisle before me, foe hundreds of years. Then we partied in my back garden to an open fire and dancinh under the stars, and there was no God in sight, so that evened things out.