I went to Barcelona last weekend with some trepidation. After all, Spain's economy was in ruins, the entire country was depressed and - on top of that - the Catalans were about to organise a revolution. When I got off the plane, the news became even worse: it was raining.
But Barcelona is still Barcelona, and soon I had cheered up. Nothing had changed. People were eating tapas, talking raucously, going to clubs and staying up until the early hours of the morning, just as they had always done.
One of the highlights of my visit was a sound and light show at the Casa Batllo, Gaudi's masterpiece on the Passeig de Gràcia. Images projected onto its façade transported us to bygone eras and strange new worlds: at one point, a giant multicoloured Gaudi lizard clambered across the building like a B-movie monster. Gasps were followed by laughter and clapping.
You might have thought the poverty-stricken Catalans would criticise the mayor's office for spending money on such a spectacle. But the crowd was large, local and enthusiastic. Perhaps it's because they love Gaudi. Or they needed cheering up. Or simply because nobody can resist a good story, whatever the medium.
When the show was over, the building seemed to go back to sleep. But we all walked away energised and full of optimism. In a time of crisis, we need the occasional dose of fantasy more than ever.
