Now that I'm my own boss, I get to choose which conferences I go to. This year, go figure, there was a conference about C. elegans in Barcelona!
The meeting was held at a big convention center / hotel / cruise ship port of call. It's the big bowl-shaped building at the tip of the pier in this photo.
In my free time I visited a museum dedicated to the art of legendary Barcelona artist Joan Miró. I found a painting that looks remarkably like C. elegans worms crawling around on a petri dish. Maybe he was a fan!
Here's a photo of the whole gang of worm researchers at the meeting.
I'll also mention just one tourist attraction. La Sagrada Família is a cathedral, and is currently the longest-running construction project in the world (began in 1882). I've been to a lot of cathedrals in my lifetime, and this one takes the cake.
The outside entrance is a nativity scene that looks like it's made of melting wax. Unique features include angels playing bassoons and violins, pillars held up by turtles, and a cypress tree full of doves floating above Baby Jesus.
The inside is ethereal. It's how I imagine the Forest of Lothlórien from The Lord of the Rings. The pillars morph into trees, and the trees meld into heavenly light.
The centerpiece is a Jesus on the cross who simultaneously appears to be ascending into heaven.
Plans for completion in 2026.
Every night I was able to Skype with Meg and Elliot. One night, for the first time ever, Elliot decided to "crawl" and greet me.
["Hi Dad, just gonna come over and send you a text message."]
