Tuesday
Degusta Fair
Travellers wanting to experience the myriad wonders of Catalan cuisine in one place might want to hop on a flight to Barcelona for the Barcelona Degusta fair.
Taking place between March 2nd and 5th at Fira Barcelona, this event allows the general public to learn all about the many different kinds of local and national dishes, ingredients, recipes and more.
Visitors to Barcelona can sample a wide range of food and drink products - generally numbering about 2,000 - as well as take part in workshops and masterclasses and attend numerous culinary shows and demonstrations.
Exhibits at the fair are not restricted to just the things you can eat, as budding and experienced chefs can also peruse an array of the latest kitchen equipment and utensils designed to complement numerous kitchen styles.
Attendees can also purchase cookbooks and take a sneak peek at new innovations set to get the international food industry talking throughout 2007.
Check out the Barcelona Degusta website for more information.
Vacation in Barcelona
Now I want to take a moment to say that although I’ve titled this post “Vacation in Barcelona” it should more accurately be written “Travel in Barcelona”. You may not be aware, but there is a SIGNIFICANT difference between vacationing and traveling. Vacation brings to mind gorgeous weather, relaxation, and a resort-like complex where all of your needs are fulfilled with swiftness and ease. Traveling, on the other hand, that’s another matter altogether. Traveling is going to mean stress and strife. Traveling is confusion, anger, disillusionment, and the breakup of relationships. Now that I’ve got you worried (:-P); it’s not all that bad. Certainly all of these things occur because you, and probably your friends/whoever, are in an unfamiliar environment where things are not under your control and not everyone is paid to treat you well. Restaurants will have terrible service, the weather will be horrible, you will get pickpocketed (sorry, Monica!), and a million other uncontrollable circumstances will intrude themselves upon you. But thankfully, that’s not all there is to it - or we’d never bother to go, ne?
First thing I noticed about Barcelona (well, besides the hot guys, claro ;)) was that the weather in comparison to London was wonderful; nice and sunny with plenty of warm weather and clear night skies. We took a bus from the airport in GIRONA (remember this as it will be important later on ><) and then grabbed the metro to our hostel which we reached without any difficulty (we had a map this time) and we were pleasantly surprised by both the free 24-hour internet access and the surprisingly nice conditions of the rooms. If we had been there longer, we would have rejoiced at the kitchen, pool table, and roof terrace as well. The following days were spent in exploring the glory that is the architecture of Gaudí. Personally, I had always found him to be something of a goof. His work, from what I had seen in pictures, seemed quite silly and disorganized. However, after taking the time to explore Park Güell, the Catedral de la Sagrada Familia and Casa Batlló I have become a devoted fan. His work is quite simply amazing and inspired. Antoni Gaudí was a genius. The underground area of the Sagrada Familia is well worth a visit in order to explore the organic geometry developed by Gaudí.
Barcelona is filled with many other attractions besides Gaudí. My personal favorite was the fountain of Montjuic in all its glory at night with a sychronized music and lighting show. And of course, there is the wonderful selection of international cuisine and great shopping along the Rambla or other major streets. I remember eating at a great little sushi place right off the beaten track. The craziest part of our trip was when we got on the bus for the Girona Airport (which took over an hour) only to realize upon getting there that we had booked our return flight with Clickair and NOT Ryanair, which meant we had very little time to get back to the Barcelona airport. Of course by this time the buses were not meant to run again until 8 pm (when we were supposed to be boarding our plane at the other airport). We then tried to find some other means of transportation and the only thing available to us was the single taxi driver who was there. He took us to the Barcelona airport in record time (and at a record speed!) whereupon we tried to pay and only managed to pool together 100 euros while the fare was actually 150, but he kindly let us go along our way. By some random chance or luck from God, we managed to get through security extremely rapidly and not only be on time for boarding but actually be early. That was a harried 3 hours that I never want to relive again in this lifetime. Thankfully our arrival in Sevilla proceded without problem.
I must say that by the end of the trip all of us sevillanas (or students in Sevilla, anyway) were kinda wishing we had chosen to study in Barcelona. Of course, now that I’m back in Sevilla I disagree whole-heartedly, but still Barcelona is a wonderful city full of fun and with a great international presence.
barcelona 2006
One of my favorite places, the Palace of the King of Aragon is where Christopher Columbus returned with his new-found treasures included a few "Indians". This is where the Queen asked the infamous question on whether these beings were human. After much debate it was determined that one must speak Spainish to be human.
The fact that these gentleman had learned some words during the trip across the Atlantic was not taken into consideration.
(Pic taken Jan 27th)
Today, after a morning poring over notes & recordings of lunches with Jesus, went to a museum devoted to Antoni Tapies, a Catalan painter whom is considered to be the modern Spanish artistic icon. Personally, the best part of the visit was to see the outside of the Modernista building built by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, who also designed Palau de la Música Catalana. However, I was forewarned. Jesus did say that Tapies is somewhat repetitive ... In his defense, JV did argue that Tapies' work questions the way we observe. Though, once again personally, in this day and age is... well ... repetitive.
The most wonderful part of Barcelona is the extremes one finds here. In Starbucks, a beautiful lady entered in with pastel pick heels, a tope suit, and a green mint neck scarf. Walking up to the counter, she removed her motor-helmet to reveal a face with wrinkles and bright eyes. She is beautiful.
The next day as was locking the apartment door, a young university student was wearing 10 pounds of makeup with penciled eyebrows, marine blue eyeliner and orange lipstick. She is ...
This picture was one captured as was exploring the Gothic area of this city. In a dark alley way a tiled art piece was plastered to the wall. So unexpected, like the ladies above, it leaves an impression not soon forgotten.
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Barcelona... in one week have seen more than any tourist should. Driven by the fact that was somewht ashamed to have known about the Catalans and their history with Spain and Spaniards, my goal has been to become informed on the subject in fear that through ignorance may insult a citizen here unwittingly. In short, the relationship is much like 'conflict' between Francophone and Anglophones in Quebec, the so-called two Solitudes which, as we know, paradoxically enrich both cultures in degrees that cannot be explained.
But little secrets can be unveiled that demonstrate just how unique Barcelona (and Montreal ) are for that matter. The streets in Barcelona are shaped like a diamond. Gisella, a guide from InfoTuriste, explained is due to the fact that it helped to control traffic - though do not quite understand that. The streets are made with rectangular stone in the gothic area and north of Plaza Catalunya, where the Modernista style prevailed, Gaudi's Tiles are found on every major street sidewalk. Walking down a dark alley way can lead to a beautiful piece of painted tiles that is plastered to the walls just as a stroll on boardwalk will bring you in close contact with some of the tseilgu(read backwards so help me how else to describe this) women imaginable! Never have a people been so extreme - with old Nannies driving up in scooters so attractive pink heels, to people in business suits perfectly cut & young scholars with faces so caked in junk and makeup one instinctively turns away from the tragedy. In 10 days, have witnessed 2 riots. At first was extremely impressed by the sheer volume of the people but it turns out that it is a rather common event to stop traffic and beat drums during rush hour. Perhaps another motivation to not own a car. Then again there usually aren't any sidewalks period so being a pedestrian is not much more apealing either.
All this to say that to an American(Westerner? Canadian?) raises entirely another cultural issue does it not), how odd these bizarre, seemingly-illogical details that make a city. The tourists and students seem frustrated by Catalans and their perceived 'stupidity' of resisting Spanish language. This tension however also brings some humor and creativity that would not be found in a more bland conformant people.
