Today was really fun! We went to the Guggenheim Museum with the whole CIDE group (although some kids showed up late because they partied way too hard the night before). We all met outside by the giant flowery puppy, which is supposed to resemble life and death (because the flowers die and new ones grow). In the summer there a wider variety of flowers because of the gorgeous weather but in the winter they plant pansies because they survive. It also has it's own irrigation system because imagine the horror it would be trying to use a hose to water the flowers everyday! Now about the actual museum! The Guggenheim has a pretty interesting story because until 1997 there used to be shipping containers where the museum was. (Remember Bilbao used to be big on industry and ships.) While the Basque country was looking for something to bring in tourists, the Guggenheim foundation was looking for another location. It was a match made in heaven. Architecture firms entered a competition to see whose design would win and Frank O. Gehry took the prize! The museum was designed to resemble giant ships and the titanium scaling represents fish. (Fun fact, the titanium changes color with the weather from silver to gold-ish.) A lot of people ask about the Guggenheim name. Solomon Guggenheim was an affluent Swiss art collector that was encouraged by his niece Peggy to start a foundation and museum that promotes and encourages new artists. (Random fact: Peggy's dad died in the Titanic.) Hence, the Guggenheim name. The inside atrium is really beautiful and has a part where you can go outside and observe different pieces and little known gems. There's a little "lake" in the back of the museum that has squares in the middle. These are FIRE FOUNTAINS. Who would have thought. It can't wait to see that at night. Also there is a timed fog that covers the lake every once in while, which was created by Fujiko Nakaya (a Japanese artist) in honor of Frank O. Gehry (the architect). If you don't get it don't worry! Joe and Kelsey had to explain it to me. FOG is his initials! :) There's your aha moment! Behind the "lake" you see Maman, the spider sculpture created by Louise Bourgeois as a tribute to her mother. The spider is known for using it's web to protect its eggs and catch food. Bourgeois uses it to represent the duality of motherhood because a mother must protect her children fiercly and provide for her children. I don't like spiders myself but I really like the thought behind it! The architecture was really nice and although we didn't get a chance to see the entire museum, a group of us upgraded our tickets to memberships for 10 euros extra. That way we can come any time we want for free and get discounts on tickets for friends and family (Just for you Tia Georgette ;) ) Well today was about 85 degrees and probably one of our last chances to go swimming at the beach with hot weather. We went to the beach in Plenthia and my lord it was amazing. I LOVE swimming. I love the beach and waves. Oh my gosh it was just perfect. <3 I swam all the way out to the buoy it was really deep! We figured at least 20 feet. It was an awesome way to end the day. Although I was not a fan of smelling like a fish. BLAH. Amazing day nonetheless!
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