It was Vicky, our Sirangan hostess from Barcelona (Spain), who arranged for Chris and myself to visit Barcelona (Sorsogon).
Barcelona's main attraction is the Bicol region's oldest church built in 1874 by Spanish friars of the Franciscan Order. Its patron is Saint Joseph, a carpenter. Although small, the church is noteworthy for more than just its antiquity. Coral reefs were used to create the church walls. The carvings on the coral reef façade make the church a priceless relic.
Locals say that the town was called Barcelona by homesick Spaniards because the place reminded them of Barcelona in Spain.
Barcelona, Sorsogon is a sleepy, little, coastal town.
Barcelona, Spain, in stark contrast, is a buzzing pilgrimage site. It is home to Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família - a large, ambitious, architecturally complex, poke-your-eyes-out Roman Catholic church designed by Antoni Gaudí. Construction began in 1883 but the church is still incomplete. Nevertheless, it has been proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Barcelona, Spain is also arguably the world's liveliest gay mecca. But I doubt the Franciscan friars knew that. Or, maybe they did.
Any which way, the closest to a gay experience that Chris and I got from Barcelona, Sorsogon was a brief encounter with a gaggle of effeminate, young things who had just been dismissed from classes. They were fun and full of energy.
They happily skipped rope, stuck their tongues out at my camera, said "Hello! What's your name?" to Chris, etc. Saint Joseph would have approved.
