Days 12 to 14 (February 14 to 16), 9:00 am to 1:00 am.
After debriefing about our first weekend's worth of classes, Claudia (my host) and I have tweaked a few things for this weekend's series. We've decided to eliminate a few cookies in the two-day class and to limit the number of icing colors in both classes. I also decide to pace some of my demos a little differently. All in the spirit of streamlining and allowing more focused time for practicing techniques!
So while we were ultra-prepared for the last round of decorating, we are even more prepared coming into my final three teaching days in Barcelona.
It comes as no surprise then that these courses go predictably, like clockwork, with me arriving in the classroom at 9 am each day to set out my tools, mix my first demo icings to the right consistencies, and generally get my game on. Classes also run with few hiccups. (No imploding dehydrators like on the first day!) We conclude around 6 pm each day, with lots of gorgeous work being completed along the way! (Proof positive in the photos below.)
First one-day class on 3-D sandwiching techniques is underway!
A student hard at work, handpainting a stamped cookie.
A stunning 3-D egg coming together; just awaiting some grass and propping up.
Another egg, propped and drying.
My second two-day class about 3-D box construction commences with stenciling box sides.
Another gorgeous box in process. Monogram cookies will soon be "glued" behind the central windows.
While students are hard at work, I fix the lid of one of my heart boxes destined for Portugal. It got damaged while on display in Barcelona last week. (I also complete box projects, which I'll leave behind for Claudia.)
Boxes of various sizes, "glued" and propped to dry.
As sure as the sun comes up each morn, I follow a predictable end-of-day ritual too: I tidy my work station, set out tools for the next day, and return to my room around 7 pm, where I grab a salad from room service and field email and/or edit videos until about 1 am. The one exception: the last day of my last class . . .
Cleanup takes longer than usual, as everything must be packed up and removed from the classroom. But I also purposely drag my feet . . . I don't want to say goodbye to Claudia and the Dream Team, which has assembled again in full force to help Claudia with her load-out. I'm so proud of all we've accomplished together in the last week, but more importantly, I've been bowled over by Spanish warmth and hospitality. Gifts, hugs, and kisses are exchanged, and, teary-eyed (me mostly!), we assemble for a final group shot.
The Dream Team (sans MercÈ Sotero and Amparo Luengo, unfortunately)
There is talk of organizing another group dinner on my return trip from Portugal through Barcelona en route to St. Louis, but I later discover that I land too late at night for this plan to materialize. Claudia also mentions the possibility of doing another class, and I vow to check my schedule! 
Day 15 (February 17), 10:00 am to 1:00 am.
I have one day left in Barcelona before I jump on a plane to my classes in Portugal, so I use the opportunity to sop up more GaudÍ. Off to Park GÜell I go!
This special place was designed by GaudÍ and built between 1900 and 1914, originally as an upscale housing development. But that venture failed and so it was ultimately turned into the most magical of parks, full of mosaics and other modernist surprises.
The once-guard house at the park entrance.
Iconic mosaic lizard just inside the park entrance.
One of the many walls of mosaic in the park.
Divine cookie inspiration! I think I know what my next cookie design/technique will be!
I return to the hotel after about four or five hours, legs aching from another day of long walks, and I reluctantly start to pack. Fortunately, the pain (I'm speaking not of that in my legs, but of that related to leaving!) is eased when I check email. I'm thrilled to see that my cookie projects have earned a top-shelf position in Claudia's living room cabinet - and that there's an offer to teach again in September! Without skipping a beat, I type "Si!" and hit the return key.
Claudia's cabinet.
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