Sagrada Dances and Krishna Consciousness in Barcelona, Oct. 15, 2006

We had to leave for Nice, France on Sunday but visting Sagrada Familia, participating in Sardana Dances and attending the Sunday gathering at the ISKCON temple in Barcelona were planned for Sunday so we cancelled one day from Nice and spent in Barcelona. Sagrada Familia is a huge cathedral which was started by Gaudi but has not been finished till date and the work is still on. We visited this on our way to Sardana Dances. Frankly, I was expecting some fast paced tap dances by people in nice costumes but it was more a slow dance in a circle holding hands as symbol of solidarity between the Catalans. We entered the circle and made a failed attempt at the dance and actually got a scornful look from a Catalan lady, while another nice lady showed how we should have done it.

All this while we had come across a Western couple dressed in Indian clothes and seemed to be the followers of Krishna. Little did we realize then that they were in Barcelona to address a gathering at the ISKCON temple. We were lucky to have them give the address in English. Many Spanish people have come to believe in Krishna and have become devout followers of Krishna’s teachings. It was very humbling to see them come at the temple and sing along Krishna’s name with full devotion. We sang many bhajans and had some really nice food there.

At the end of our tenth day, we both realized that our trip has been really enlightening and enjoyable so far. Living in hostels, meeting and interacting with people with only the sign language as a means to communicate and of course, my favorite, trying different food, we have realized that despite the diversity it is one world family and people accept other people from different part of the world with love.