Table of Contents:
It should be noted that the chronology of the journals starts from the bottom (that is the first post) and then works its way to the top (Israeli-Palestinian) is my final post. Also, there was a bit of a mix up in dates and I added 2 of them (La Sagrada Familia and Sitges) after they actually took place…I need some cultural activities so I had to add them there or delete my entire post and start from scratch. I understand if points are taken off for lack of organization…however, all of the dates are correct.
1) Calçots Experience – Food/Restaurant
2) Journal one – Personal/Leisure Activity
3) Roman Barcino – Field Trip
4) Barca vs. Getafe – Personal/Leisure Activity
5) Nightlife in Barcelona – Personal/Leisure Activity
6) Guild – Field Trip
7) Spanish Food – Food/Restaurant
8) Lunch with the Locals – Personal/Leisure Activity
9) Sitges – Cultural Activity
10) La Sagrada Familia – Cultural Activity
11) Andú – Food/Restaurant
12) Catalan Companies – Local News
13) Young People Protest – Local News
14) Raval – Field Trip
15) “Hippie Festival” – Cultural Activity
16) Unemployment – National News
17) Immigrant – Local News
18) Israeli-Palestinian – International News
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Israeli-Palestinian Journal April 27th
Ok, so this short article does not really address anything particularly new in the world but I still think it addresses a few important things. It is going to be a bit difficult to try and directly connect it with Barcelona but there are still a few important connections that can be made.
Basically, the article addresses the recent death of a Hamas militant in the West Bank on Monday afternoon. He was unsurprisingly killed by the actions of Israeli soldiers who had surrounded his house and asked him to surrender. To make a long story short, the Hamas militant, Ali Suweiti, had been suspected of killing numerous Israeli officers/soldiers and was a prized asset for the Israeli military. However, he refused to “surrender” and promptly opened fire on the soldiers which forced them to return fire thus cementing his status as a “martyr.”
Now, I have chosen to talk about this situation because it touches upon one of the most difficult/controversial topics in modern history: the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Although I am still torn with my feelings on the situation, I am certain that the conflict originated because of numerous political blunders. The creation of Israel has done nothing but cause havoc in the Middle East for the past 60 years. Now, this area is certainly not unaccustomed to chaos/persistent conflict…a simple look at the region’s history would reveal that this area has been one of the biggest “cluster fucks” in history that has constantly been plagued with tribal wars and unchecked aggression. We need only recall blatant reality that Islam is widely considered by many academics to be a religion “spread by the sword;” that existence in and of itself tells you a lot about the region. But I digress…
The conflict between Israel and the entire Muslim world is starting to become a bit sickening. Seriously, when is this going to stop? Sadly, I think there are only two options which few people neither like nor are willing to admit. The first of these is exactly what the majority of Arabs are calling for: the destruction of Israel and the reclamation of the Holy Land (I could easily go into greater detail about this topic because it is absolutely fascinating but I would easily write volumes on it so I will not address such intricacies). The other option is the one that few individuals, particularly those of us in the West, are terrified to even whisper: the destruction of Arab nationalism. Yes, I said it…seriously considering a way to keep Arabs from uniting against Israel and wanting to kill each end every Jew that they come across. The most logical option, the destruction of Islam. BOOOOM. The cat is out of the bad and the anvil has promptly struck the floor…
Now, I should stress the fact that I am not making anti-Islamic remarks here because I hate Muslims; rather, if I make the point because if it were possible I would do away with religion entirely. Religion has caused far too much bloodshed over the years and it is effectively holding society back but that is another story for a different day…back to the point at hand, it would seem that these are the only two logical options that will end this persistent warfare. We must not forget that the Arab peoples (and a majority of Muslims for that matter) consist of societies which are largely based upon tribal affiliations. To put it bluntly, the only thing keeping these people “together” are the tenets of Islam and their subsequent belief in Allah. The only reason that all the Muslim states hate Israel is because they are all Muslim and their Muslim “brethren” (Palestine) have been disrespected. Furthermore, the Jews are forced to hate the Muslims because they are now forced to fight for their survival because their grandparents refused to “give up” the Holy Land.
All in all, this situation has caused far too many headaches on the political/social arena and drastic measures need to be taken for any real changes to be made. Like I said earlier, it’s a bit difficult to connect this to Barcelona seeing as this debacle that the Middle East finds itself locked in revolves primarily around the resultant actions of the Allied nations post-WWII and the “bossy” United Nations. However, I think the only connection that can be drawn is the reality/thought that the Spanish people are slowly beginning to stop “trusting/turning” to religion for any sort of substantial value. In many ways, people are just practicing in Catholic practices because they are “traditional” NOT because God commands them to do it…as such, I think both Muslim and Jews alike should learn from Spain that religion is truly holding people back and is causing far too many problems. By the way, if you were wondering…I am not actually an atheist but I just strongly despise what religious values do to people.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/27/world/middleeast/27briefs-Westbank.html?ref=world
Basically, the article addresses the recent death of a Hamas militant in the West Bank on Monday afternoon. He was unsurprisingly killed by the actions of Israeli soldiers who had surrounded his house and asked him to surrender. To make a long story short, the Hamas militant, Ali Suweiti, had been suspected of killing numerous Israeli officers/soldiers and was a prized asset for the Israeli military. However, he refused to “surrender” and promptly opened fire on the soldiers which forced them to return fire thus cementing his status as a “martyr.”
Now, I have chosen to talk about this situation because it touches upon one of the most difficult/controversial topics in modern history: the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Although I am still torn with my feelings on the situation, I am certain that the conflict originated because of numerous political blunders. The creation of Israel has done nothing but cause havoc in the Middle East for the past 60 years. Now, this area is certainly not unaccustomed to chaos/persistent conflict…a simple look at the region’s history would reveal that this area has been one of the biggest “cluster fucks” in history that has constantly been plagued with tribal wars and unchecked aggression. We need only recall blatant reality that Islam is widely considered by many academics to be a religion “spread by the sword;” that existence in and of itself tells you a lot about the region. But I digress…
The conflict between Israel and the entire Muslim world is starting to become a bit sickening. Seriously, when is this going to stop? Sadly, I think there are only two options which few people neither like nor are willing to admit. The first of these is exactly what the majority of Arabs are calling for: the destruction of Israel and the reclamation of the Holy Land (I could easily go into greater detail about this topic because it is absolutely fascinating but I would easily write volumes on it so I will not address such intricacies). The other option is the one that few individuals, particularly those of us in the West, are terrified to even whisper: the destruction of Arab nationalism. Yes, I said it…seriously considering a way to keep Arabs from uniting against Israel and wanting to kill each end every Jew that they come across. The most logical option, the destruction of Islam. BOOOOM. The cat is out of the bad and the anvil has promptly struck the floor…
Now, I should stress the fact that I am not making anti-Islamic remarks here because I hate Muslims; rather, if I make the point because if it were possible I would do away with religion entirely. Religion has caused far too much bloodshed over the years and it is effectively holding society back but that is another story for a different day…back to the point at hand, it would seem that these are the only two logical options that will end this persistent warfare. We must not forget that the Arab peoples (and a majority of Muslims for that matter) consist of societies which are largely based upon tribal affiliations. To put it bluntly, the only thing keeping these people “together” are the tenets of Islam and their subsequent belief in Allah. The only reason that all the Muslim states hate Israel is because they are all Muslim and their Muslim “brethren” (Palestine) have been disrespected. Furthermore, the Jews are forced to hate the Muslims because they are now forced to fight for their survival because their grandparents refused to “give up” the Holy Land.
All in all, this situation has caused far too many headaches on the political/social arena and drastic measures need to be taken for any real changes to be made. Like I said earlier, it’s a bit difficult to connect this to Barcelona seeing as this debacle that the Middle East finds itself locked in revolves primarily around the resultant actions of the Allied nations post-WWII and the “bossy” United Nations. However, I think the only connection that can be drawn is the reality/thought that the Spanish people are slowly beginning to stop “trusting/turning” to religion for any sort of substantial value. In many ways, people are just practicing in Catholic practices because they are “traditional” NOT because God commands them to do it…as such, I think both Muslim and Jews alike should learn from Spain that religion is truly holding people back and is causing far too many problems. By the way, if you were wondering…I am not actually an atheist but I just strongly despise what religious values do to people.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/27/world/middleeast/27briefs-Westbank.html?ref=world
Immigrant Journal April 27th
This article addresses a recent study which had been released which discussed the immigration trends of Barcelona. Without going into too great of detail, here are some the facts which were released that hold the greatest importance: roughly 15,000 babies with “foreign/immigrant” parents have been born in Barcelona since statistics have been kept, as of 2008 only 34% had a parent who was of Spanish nationality, El Raval section is comprised of roughly a 47% immigrant population, and many of these individuals are “here to stay.” Furthermore, it would seem that “new immigration has taken root in Catalonia” and these immigrants are primarily comprised of individuals of Italian, Ecuadorian, Pakistani, Bolivian, Peruvian, Chinese, and Moroccan decent.
Now, this sort of study is extremely important because it establishes a precursor for change that is about to occur in Barcelona. Essentially, these individuals are bringing their culture/way of life into Barcelona and are going to blend everything that they know with the Barcelonan outlook on life. Depending on the person that you talk to, this reality can be interpreted as either positive or negative. It is seemingly unimportant what my position on their presence will bring to Barcelona but one this is certain – they are going to influence the city in various ways. As is shown with the first fact, immigrant birth rate is fairly steady and does not look like it is going to decline any time soon. As such, this has a direct impact on everything from the social fabric of a particular neighborhood to crime rates. Additionally, the fact that 34% of these new babies have “mixed background” (Spanish parent and immigrant parent) has a direct impact on the Spanish/Catalan identity as well. I am not going to address “purity” because that has an innate negative connotation but people may slowly begin to lose the Catalan culture as it begins to blend with the culture of Morocco, Pakistan, etc. The third fact is directly related to how the social fabric of a particular area can be impacted by this growing immigrant population. It would seem that El Raval is become Barcelona’s “China town” of the city as so many immigrants are choosing to live here (mostly Pakistani). Therefore, the question must be raised of this area is truly Barcelonan or Pakistani?
Finally, the fact that these immigrants are “here to stay” should not come as a surprise but it highlights some very important facts. The first of these is the fact that Barcelona is clearly a prosperous city because the immigrants want to live/work here; otherwise, they would not be moving here for work. Secondly, this is a fact that compels the local government to seriously consider the “well being/existence” of these individuals within the political arena because their children will soon become citizens of Spain/Barcelona. To put it bluntly, even though some of these individuals may be illegal, their existence forces the city to address their needs.
This situation is interesting due to the fact that it closely resembles the reality that the United States of America has been forced to deal with for the better part of its existence (referencing immigration from Mexico/South America). Furthermore, it is intriguing when the recent immigration laws in Arizona are taken into account…anyway, I doubt that Barcelona is going to take such “extreme” measures [like my cowboy like/conservative brethren in Arizona] to address this immigration situation but they are going to need to consider in the near future.
http://www.lavanguardia.es/ciudadanos/noticias/20100427/53916673527/los-extranjeros-empadronados-y-nacidos-en-barcelona-suman-15.000-ciutat-vella-ildefons-cerda-argenti.html
Now, this sort of study is extremely important because it establishes a precursor for change that is about to occur in Barcelona. Essentially, these individuals are bringing their culture/way of life into Barcelona and are going to blend everything that they know with the Barcelonan outlook on life. Depending on the person that you talk to, this reality can be interpreted as either positive or negative. It is seemingly unimportant what my position on their presence will bring to Barcelona but one this is certain – they are going to influence the city in various ways. As is shown with the first fact, immigrant birth rate is fairly steady and does not look like it is going to decline any time soon. As such, this has a direct impact on everything from the social fabric of a particular neighborhood to crime rates. Additionally, the fact that 34% of these new babies have “mixed background” (Spanish parent and immigrant parent) has a direct impact on the Spanish/Catalan identity as well. I am not going to address “purity” because that has an innate negative connotation but people may slowly begin to lose the Catalan culture as it begins to blend with the culture of Morocco, Pakistan, etc. The third fact is directly related to how the social fabric of a particular area can be impacted by this growing immigrant population. It would seem that El Raval is become Barcelona’s “China town” of the city as so many immigrants are choosing to live here (mostly Pakistani). Therefore, the question must be raised of this area is truly Barcelonan or Pakistani?
Finally, the fact that these immigrants are “here to stay” should not come as a surprise but it highlights some very important facts. The first of these is the fact that Barcelona is clearly a prosperous city because the immigrants want to live/work here; otherwise, they would not be moving here for work. Secondly, this is a fact that compels the local government to seriously consider the “well being/existence” of these individuals within the political arena because their children will soon become citizens of Spain/Barcelona. To put it bluntly, even though some of these individuals may be illegal, their existence forces the city to address their needs.
This situation is interesting due to the fact that it closely resembles the reality that the United States of America has been forced to deal with for the better part of its existence (referencing immigration from Mexico/South America). Furthermore, it is intriguing when the recent immigration laws in Arizona are taken into account…anyway, I doubt that Barcelona is going to take such “extreme” measures [like my cowboy like/conservative brethren in Arizona] to address this immigration situation but they are going to need to consider in the near future.
http://www.lavanguardia.es/ciudadanos/noticias/20100427/53916673527/los-extranjeros-empadronados-y-nacidos-en-barcelona-suman-15.000-ciutat-vella-ildefons-cerda-argenti.html
Unemployment Journal April 27th
This article is particularly important because it provides a brief update/reminder of the current economic state of affairs in Spain. Currently, unemployment in Spain has reached over 20% (actual figure is 20.05%)...this reality highlights the ever-present crisis that Spain finds itself entangled within (over 4 4.5 million individuals are without jobs). This is a staggering figure to say the least and is certainly something that Zapatero and his administration are scratching their heads over. It is particularly troubling to note that unemployment rates are “higher than they were in the 90s” – seems as if Spain has taken a step back in terms of progress.
Although Zapatero promises that changes are going to be seen in April, I seriously question this strong statement – we have a phrase in America for this sort of announcement, “ he is just blowing smoke up everyone’s assess.” I guess the easiest translation for this would be that he is just bullshitting the populace in an effort to divert their attention from the reality of everything (something that politicians have always been very good at). Regardless if changes happen or not, you have to wonder how this pressing issue is going to impact Spain in the long run. Furthermore, is the rest of the EU going to take Spain seriously for much longer? If I remember correctly, I think Spain is currently “managing” the EU’s economic situation at this point in time (responsibility rotates every 6 months I believe between members of the EU – a way to “share the burden”). The question that comes to my mind, and likely the minds of many individuals within the EU is quite simple, “How can a country that cannot figure out its own economic problems solve the more complex economic complications of the EU?”
Hopefully, things will begin to turn around for Spain and unemployment will steadily drop over the next few months/years. We must not forget that the entire world is currently recovering from a bit of a recession so these sort of things take time; however, I think it is pretty safe to say that an unemployment rate of over 20% must be quite disappointing/humbling for the Spanish people. I think Spain is only second in Europe (in terms of unemployment rate) to Latvia. I don’t think that is a country that many people want to be compared to, no matter what the comparison…
http://www.lavanguardia.es/economia/noticias/20100427/53917775056/zapatero-admite-que-la-tasa-del-paro-es-demasiado-alta-aunque-augura--que-comenzara-a-bajar-en-abril.html
Although Zapatero promises that changes are going to be seen in April, I seriously question this strong statement – we have a phrase in America for this sort of announcement, “ he is just blowing smoke up everyone’s assess.” I guess the easiest translation for this would be that he is just bullshitting the populace in an effort to divert their attention from the reality of everything (something that politicians have always been very good at). Regardless if changes happen or not, you have to wonder how this pressing issue is going to impact Spain in the long run. Furthermore, is the rest of the EU going to take Spain seriously for much longer? If I remember correctly, I think Spain is currently “managing” the EU’s economic situation at this point in time (responsibility rotates every 6 months I believe between members of the EU – a way to “share the burden”). The question that comes to my mind, and likely the minds of many individuals within the EU is quite simple, “How can a country that cannot figure out its own economic problems solve the more complex economic complications of the EU?”
Hopefully, things will begin to turn around for Spain and unemployment will steadily drop over the next few months/years. We must not forget that the entire world is currently recovering from a bit of a recession so these sort of things take time; however, I think it is pretty safe to say that an unemployment rate of over 20% must be quite disappointing/humbling for the Spanish people. I think Spain is only second in Europe (in terms of unemployment rate) to Latvia. I don’t think that is a country that many people want to be compared to, no matter what the comparison…
http://www.lavanguardia.es/economia/noticias/20100427/53917775056/zapatero-admite-que-la-tasa-del-paro-es-demasiado-alta-aunque-augura--que-comenzara-a-bajar-en-abril.html
"Hippie Festival" Journal April 25th
Ok, so I do not think the actual “title” of this fair was the “Hippy Festival” but it will have to do. I think the fair had something to do with Earth Day…regardless, it was a very enjoyable experience which I will never forget.
The fair took place around Arc de Triumf and the Ciutadella Park. The place was packed with people and numerous vendors of all shapes and sizes (although, I must stress the point that many of the individuals tended to resemble “hippies” because of their clothing style and ever flowing dreadlock hairstyles). Anyway, it seemed that the festival was something that the locals truly look forward to every year because both Ciutadella Park and Arc de Triumf were packed with people. You could see people just lying out in the park getting a tan, families having a nice picnic in the shade, and tourists/locals alike buying some local products from the numerous vendors. I think one of the coolest things about this festival was the fact that there was such a diverse selection of things that you could buy at this festival; to keep the list rather short, we shall just say that the things offered ranged from fresh goat cheese [being sold by some local farmers] to getting a 15 minute massage from a person standing on top of your body…In addition to this selection, there were numerous food stands which gladly satisfied the local patrons’ hunger and exposed them to foods from Cuba, Morocco, Brazil, and many others.
Although this sort of thing is not uncommon back in the States, this fair had a unique Barcelona flair. Being able to participate in this sort of festival also provided a nice look at the Barcelona [laid-back/enjoy life] mentality; the few hours that I spent here proved that the local populace truly knows how to enjoy life. Just looking at each of them should that at that particular moment, none of them had a care in the world. All of them were simply enjoying the beautiful weather with their friends/family/loved ones and just “taking it all in.” It is this sort of mentality that I hope to bring back to the USA. Although we do have these sort of fairs, they are certainly not leisurely activities; rather, people go to these fairs, buy what they want to buy, eat what they want to eat, and then just leave. It is this sort of mentality that leads me to believe that the people in the US don’t truly appreciate what life has to offer – they rarely take the time to appreciate life. This is why this seemingly simple/basic fair had such an important impact on me – it further proved that the people here truly appreciate life…
The fair took place around Arc de Triumf and the Ciutadella Park. The place was packed with people and numerous vendors of all shapes and sizes (although, I must stress the point that many of the individuals tended to resemble “hippies” because of their clothing style and ever flowing dreadlock hairstyles). Anyway, it seemed that the festival was something that the locals truly look forward to every year because both Ciutadella Park and Arc de Triumf were packed with people. You could see people just lying out in the park getting a tan, families having a nice picnic in the shade, and tourists/locals alike buying some local products from the numerous vendors. I think one of the coolest things about this festival was the fact that there was such a diverse selection of things that you could buy at this festival; to keep the list rather short, we shall just say that the things offered ranged from fresh goat cheese [being sold by some local farmers] to getting a 15 minute massage from a person standing on top of your body…In addition to this selection, there were numerous food stands which gladly satisfied the local patrons’ hunger and exposed them to foods from Cuba, Morocco, Brazil, and many others.
Although this sort of thing is not uncommon back in the States, this fair had a unique Barcelona flair. Being able to participate in this sort of festival also provided a nice look at the Barcelona [laid-back/enjoy life] mentality; the few hours that I spent here proved that the local populace truly knows how to enjoy life. Just looking at each of them should that at that particular moment, none of them had a care in the world. All of them were simply enjoying the beautiful weather with their friends/family/loved ones and just “taking it all in.” It is this sort of mentality that I hope to bring back to the USA. Although we do have these sort of fairs, they are certainly not leisurely activities; rather, people go to these fairs, buy what they want to buy, eat what they want to eat, and then just leave. It is this sort of mentality that leads me to believe that the people in the US don’t truly appreciate what life has to offer – they rarely take the time to appreciate life. This is why this seemingly simple/basic fair had such an important impact on me – it further proved that the people here truly appreciate life…
Raval Field Trip Journal April 22nd
Simply taking a short walk in this area of the city reveals a fundamental distinction between El Raval and other parts of the Old City (Ciutat Vella)…El Raval is definitely not an area that is frequented by tourists very much. If fact, the only “non local” inhabitants that you can see are the Pakistani/other foreign immigrants who have settled in this area – they clearly dominate the presence of the area. Regardless, there are many factors which probably justify this reality but the primary one is the fact that El Raval was not a very “safe/touristy friendly” area some years ago. It is important to note that this area had once been the center for illegal activity (drug dealing, prostitution, etc.) for quite some time. Additionally, it was in this area where the anarchists held their “stronghold” – a presence which certainly reflected the chaotic nature of this section of the city. It was only until the ________ when the local government decided to refurbish the area in an effort to attract tourists and stamp out crime.
Although this attempt was mildly successful, the overall goal was not truly achieved. Demolishing old buildings to pave the way for broad streets such as “Ramblas de Catalunya” was a clear attempt at “bringing life” to the neighborhood while also bringing some needed air from the sea (ventilation). Additionally, building five star hotels yearned for posh tourists to spend a few nights in this recovering area; however, these attempts were met with mixed results. Certainly, the area seems to be cleaner/more welcoming than it probably was 20-30 years ago – cars have limited access on the streets, fresh air makes its way into the area from the sea, and buildings such as MACBA and other museums attract younger crowds/families into the region of the city. However, the trip there still gave me the impression that the city never fully “succeeded” in achieving their goal: tourists can hardly be found, the area is still home to many “sinful” individuals/activities, and it still gives the feeling of an area that is unwelcome to tourists. I cannot completely explain it but in a twisted way, it felt like the locals wanted change/improvement but they still wanted to hold onto the last vestiges of a “real/non-touristy” section of the Old City. Granted, there is a large portion of immigrants in this area who probably would just be happy with a roof over their heads but the push for change seems to hold a bit of a conflicted existence (people want young people to come to the area but don’t want skateboarders outside MACBA, they want tourists to stay at the new hotel but they don’t offer them any real captivating activities/shops, etc.)
All in all, the area is a pretty interesting section of the city which has a lot of character; I would probably have ventured over to that area a bit more if I had been introduced to it a bit earlier on during my stay. However, I still feel that the area has much room for improvement. I understand that change/progress takes time and there is no possible way that an entire area can change in less than 20 years so this reality gives me hope that the city will achieve their goals. Unfortunately, they are not there yet and it may take 20-30 more years before drastic changes can be seen…
Although this attempt was mildly successful, the overall goal was not truly achieved. Demolishing old buildings to pave the way for broad streets such as “Ramblas de Catalunya” was a clear attempt at “bringing life” to the neighborhood while also bringing some needed air from the sea (ventilation). Additionally, building five star hotels yearned for posh tourists to spend a few nights in this recovering area; however, these attempts were met with mixed results. Certainly, the area seems to be cleaner/more welcoming than it probably was 20-30 years ago – cars have limited access on the streets, fresh air makes its way into the area from the sea, and buildings such as MACBA and other museums attract younger crowds/families into the region of the city. However, the trip there still gave me the impression that the city never fully “succeeded” in achieving their goal: tourists can hardly be found, the area is still home to many “sinful” individuals/activities, and it still gives the feeling of an area that is unwelcome to tourists. I cannot completely explain it but in a twisted way, it felt like the locals wanted change/improvement but they still wanted to hold onto the last vestiges of a “real/non-touristy” section of the Old City. Granted, there is a large portion of immigrants in this area who probably would just be happy with a roof over their heads but the push for change seems to hold a bit of a conflicted existence (people want young people to come to the area but don’t want skateboarders outside MACBA, they want tourists to stay at the new hotel but they don’t offer them any real captivating activities/shops, etc.)
All in all, the area is a pretty interesting section of the city which has a lot of character; I would probably have ventured over to that area a bit more if I had been introduced to it a bit earlier on during my stay. However, I still feel that the area has much room for improvement. I understand that change/progress takes time and there is no possible way that an entire area can change in less than 20 years so this reality gives me hope that the city will achieve their goals. Unfortunately, they are not there yet and it may take 20-30 more years before drastic changes can be seen…
Young People Protest Journal April 7th
This article that was released today is particularly interesting to me because I actually saw everything pan out. At first, I didn’t know what was going on but I made sure that I looked up some of the facts once I got back to my apartment. Regardless, I saw the protest first hand and can safely say that this protest was being taken very seriously by the local police forces.
The article addresses the recent demonstration that was held at the corner of Carrer de Pelai and La Ramblas. A group of young protestors stood out in front of a clothing store to protest the recent sentencing of a “squatter,” Alfonso Hermoso Castillo, who had been handed three years in prison for allegedly beating a Catalan police officer with an “okupa” back in May 2007. Essentially, the individuals were saying this was an extremely harsh sentence for someone who had done nothing more than “defending himself from aggression.” To truly voice their frustration, two individuals from the protestors chained themselves to a barrel that had been filled with concrete. Furthermore, the barrel had been placed in the middle of the street - thus causing quite a ruckus to the local traffic (one of the busiest streets in the city). The chained men then proceeded to sit down in the middle of the street while they were screaming “Free Alfonso” chants. Needless to say, the police were forced to come in and cut the men free from the concrete barrel in order to free up traffic.
This event is another indication of how passionately the local populace feels about certain situations and how willing they are to express their opinion. Although a similar demonstration may have taken place in America, I doubt anybody would have chained themselves to a barrel. However, the most interesting/important thing that this protest touches upon is the fact that traditional/past feelings about the police may still have their place within the minds of the Catalan people. It should be remembered that the police forces were entities that had been imposed/installed by Madrid. Many individuals felt that these forces (Mosso d'Esquadra, Guardia Urbana, etc.) were nothing more organizations that were set up to suppress the Catalan people/nationalist uprisings/etc. As such, these organizations serve nothing more than representations of the repression of the centralized Madrid government and have done nothing but anger many people in the past. With that being the case, the outrage/resent from today’s protest can possibly be stretched to be a protest against Madrid as well. Although I highly doubt that this reality/theory (to protest against Madrid – i.e. was a protest for Catalan independence/etc.) played any role in today’s protest, it is still an interesting thought nonetheless. Furthermore, the protest highlights the ever present “balance” between police authority and people’s rights. This battle is one that has little chance of slowing down and will likely be raged until the end of time. For whatever reason, people really get pissed off when their rights are violated by the authoritative powers…
The article addresses the recent demonstration that was held at the corner of Carrer de Pelai and La Ramblas. A group of young protestors stood out in front of a clothing store to protest the recent sentencing of a “squatter,” Alfonso Hermoso Castillo, who had been handed three years in prison for allegedly beating a Catalan police officer with an “okupa” back in May 2007. Essentially, the individuals were saying this was an extremely harsh sentence for someone who had done nothing more than “defending himself from aggression.” To truly voice their frustration, two individuals from the protestors chained themselves to a barrel that had been filled with concrete. Furthermore, the barrel had been placed in the middle of the street - thus causing quite a ruckus to the local traffic (one of the busiest streets in the city). The chained men then proceeded to sit down in the middle of the street while they were screaming “Free Alfonso” chants. Needless to say, the police were forced to come in and cut the men free from the concrete barrel in order to free up traffic.
This event is another indication of how passionately the local populace feels about certain situations and how willing they are to express their opinion. Although a similar demonstration may have taken place in America, I doubt anybody would have chained themselves to a barrel. However, the most interesting/important thing that this protest touches upon is the fact that traditional/past feelings about the police may still have their place within the minds of the Catalan people. It should be remembered that the police forces were entities that had been imposed/installed by Madrid. Many individuals felt that these forces (Mosso d'Esquadra, Guardia Urbana, etc.) were nothing more organizations that were set up to suppress the Catalan people/nationalist uprisings/etc. As such, these organizations serve nothing more than representations of the repression of the centralized Madrid government and have done nothing but anger many people in the past. With that being the case, the outrage/resent from today’s protest can possibly be stretched to be a protest against Madrid as well. Although I highly doubt that this reality/theory (to protest against Madrid – i.e. was a protest for Catalan independence/etc.) played any role in today’s protest, it is still an interesting thought nonetheless. Furthermore, the protest highlights the ever present “balance” between police authority and people’s rights. This battle is one that has little chance of slowing down and will likely be raged until the end of time. For whatever reason, people really get pissed off when their rights are violated by the authoritative powers…
Catalan Companies Journal April 7th
This recent news article deals directly with the future of Catalonia and it can also be closely related with the past of this “commercial fortress.” The article talks about a study which was released today that addressed the “language of Catalan businesses” and the businesses’ place on the international market. Essentially, the study, which was jointly conducted by the Linguamón Chair of the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya and Secretariat of Linguistic Policy of the Generalitat, stated that Catalonian companies were not placing enough emphasis on learning the languages of the emerging markets (primarily the Chinese, Indian, and Russian markets). The study also made a distinction between domestic and international businesses in order to further highlight the lack of diversity in their linguistic capabilities. According to the study, “nearly 70% of foreign business is conducted in English.” Additionally, a large proportion of the foreign business is also conducted in French or Castilian (Spanish). It should also be noted that all of these companies are encouraging their employees/mandating their employees to learn these languages. However, only about 15% of companies are encouraging their employees to learn Chinese (Mandarin), Russian, or one of the many Indian dialects. When this linguistic reality is combined with the commercial reality (i.e. the slow economic decline of the western world and the rapid rise of the east) it becomes clear that Catalan companies could be at a distinct disadvantage. In terms of domestic business, roughly “98% is conducted in Catalan.” Although the domestic business is important, due to globalization, it is not as important as “international” markets; therefore, I will not really address the domestic markets all that much.
So why is this so important? Well first off, from a sheer business standpoint, it is imperative for a company to be on the cutting edge of technology/relations/etc. if a company is to succeed. Within the confines of a capitalist system, success is defined by competition with other companies. Through this competition, companies are compelled to give their best or else none of their products will sell. As such, these companies are forced to adapt to the rapidly changing markets and seek out new opportunities for success. It is clear that the eastern markets are rapidly expanding and are going to be making a lot of money in the near future. With that being the case, it would only make sense for these Catalan companies to learn the languages of these “budding companies” if they wish to remain at the cutting edge of business. In all honesty, these companies are a “little behind the eight ball” in terms of international communications if they do not already have a solid foundation of these languages. Therefore, I agree with the article: these companies need to encourage their employees to learn these languages if they wish to keep a competitive edge.
Now, this article is also important because it deals directly with the very foundation of the Catalan region: commerce and trade. It must not be forgotten that the Catalan “Empire” practically ran much of the Mediterranean Sea for the better part of two hundred years. During the medieval years, large portions of the Mediterranean were compelled to speak Catalan if they wanted trade anything (places like Sicily, Sardinia, etc. were occupied provinces by the Catalan Empire). The Catalans of the time recognized the power of language when it came to trading and dealing with other nations. After all, it was their language that these nations needed to speak if they wanted to trade. This existence can easily be compared to America’s position in the world in this day and age: people need to speak English if they want to trade/conduct business (also very similar to Roman during their heydays when everybody needed to speak Latin). Regardless, there is a lesson to be learned out of all of this: it is imperative to stress the fact that the “powerful” economic nations are the ones that “run the world’s economy.” As such, nations are compelled to learn the powerful nations’ languages if they wish to make any money for themselves. In this case, Catalan companies are compelled to learn Chinese, Indian, and Russian if they wish to maintain the last vestiges of their last commercial influences.
So why is this so important? Well first off, from a sheer business standpoint, it is imperative for a company to be on the cutting edge of technology/relations/etc. if a company is to succeed. Within the confines of a capitalist system, success is defined by competition with other companies. Through this competition, companies are compelled to give their best or else none of their products will sell. As such, these companies are forced to adapt to the rapidly changing markets and seek out new opportunities for success. It is clear that the eastern markets are rapidly expanding and are going to be making a lot of money in the near future. With that being the case, it would only make sense for these Catalan companies to learn the languages of these “budding companies” if they wish to remain at the cutting edge of business. In all honesty, these companies are a “little behind the eight ball” in terms of international communications if they do not already have a solid foundation of these languages. Therefore, I agree with the article: these companies need to encourage their employees to learn these languages if they wish to keep a competitive edge.
Now, this article is also important because it deals directly with the very foundation of the Catalan region: commerce and trade. It must not be forgotten that the Catalan “Empire” practically ran much of the Mediterranean Sea for the better part of two hundred years. During the medieval years, large portions of the Mediterranean were compelled to speak Catalan if they wanted trade anything (places like Sicily, Sardinia, etc. were occupied provinces by the Catalan Empire). The Catalans of the time recognized the power of language when it came to trading and dealing with other nations. After all, it was their language that these nations needed to speak if they wanted to trade. This existence can easily be compared to America’s position in the world in this day and age: people need to speak English if they want to trade/conduct business (also very similar to Roman during their heydays when everybody needed to speak Latin). Regardless, there is a lesson to be learned out of all of this: it is imperative to stress the fact that the “powerful” economic nations are the ones that “run the world’s economy.” As such, nations are compelled to learn the powerful nations’ languages if they wish to make any money for themselves. In this case, Catalan companies are compelled to learn Chinese, Indian, and Russian if they wish to maintain the last vestiges of their last commercial influences.
Andu (Local Tapas Bar) Journal March 13th
It was on this night that I decided to venture off into the Barri Gótic and see some of the local bars/tapas establishments that Barcelona had to offer. Before this time, I was a bit hesitant to go down here late at night because I had always heard that it was never “really safe” for tourists. However, an old friend was visiting from the States and she insisted that I needed to join her at this local tapas bar so I mustered up the courage and went…needless to say, it was a fantastic experience. For the first time since being in Barcelona, the locals were actually a bit rude/short with me! It was at this traditional tapas bar called “Andú” where I briefly felt uncomfortable because I was a foreigner. I know this sounds a bit strange but I’m glad to know that the locals have some pride in “their” establishments – not wanting them to be contaminated by the “invading” tourists.
To make a long story short, I had gotten to the bar a bit early so I told my friends that I would meet them inside. I promptly walked to the tiny bar and ordered a beer; well, combined with the droning noise of the music and the people talking, I had a difficult time understanding what the bartender said. So what does every person do when they don’t have a clue what the local bartender said? – You just nod your head in approval and drink whatever they give you (hoping they heard you correctly). Well, this is exactly what I did; however, the only problem with this theory is the fact that the bartender DID, in fact, hear me correctly but her response was “de barril o botella?” Needless to say, you can see where a “sí” reply would make little sense here…once I finally realized what she was asking, I replied “botella;” however, the damage had already been done and she began to roll her eyes at me and made some snide remarks to her co-worker who proceeded to laugh. I’m certain that they were about me but it is entirely acceptable because I think I would have done the same thing had I been in her shoes.
After that little interruption, my friends finally arrived and we were able to have some local olives, cheese, and pa amb tomaquet (pan con tomate). It was a very basic tapas experience but everything was done right – fresh cheese, fresh olives, perfectly cooked break, and great wine. The food/drinks were not ornately decorated and thus did not look extraordinary; however, the basic presentation compelled the individual to “let the food speak for itself” and everything did that and more. Everything was delicious and the brief “discrepancy” with the bartender truly made me feel like I was in a different place enjoying “their” culture…
To make a long story short, I had gotten to the bar a bit early so I told my friends that I would meet them inside. I promptly walked to the tiny bar and ordered a beer; well, combined with the droning noise of the music and the people talking, I had a difficult time understanding what the bartender said. So what does every person do when they don’t have a clue what the local bartender said? – You just nod your head in approval and drink whatever they give you (hoping they heard you correctly). Well, this is exactly what I did; however, the only problem with this theory is the fact that the bartender DID, in fact, hear me correctly but her response was “de barril o botella?” Needless to say, you can see where a “sí” reply would make little sense here…once I finally realized what she was asking, I replied “botella;” however, the damage had already been done and she began to roll her eyes at me and made some snide remarks to her co-worker who proceeded to laugh. I’m certain that they were about me but it is entirely acceptable because I think I would have done the same thing had I been in her shoes.
After that little interruption, my friends finally arrived and we were able to have some local olives, cheese, and pa amb tomaquet (pan con tomate). It was a very basic tapas experience but everything was done right – fresh cheese, fresh olives, perfectly cooked break, and great wine. The food/drinks were not ornately decorated and thus did not look extraordinary; however, the basic presentation compelled the individual to “let the food speak for itself” and everything did that and more. Everything was delicious and the brief “discrepancy” with the bartender truly made me feel like I was in a different place enjoying “their” culture…
La Sagrada Familia Journal February 18th
Where do I even begin with this unbelievable cultural experience? To put it bluntly, Antoni Gaudí was a genius…regardless of what you think of his architectural designs, you must have some respect for this man. To be able to create something like La Sagrada Familia and everything else that he completed for this city is a strong testament to his creative genius. However, out of every building that he created, La Sagrada Familia (LSF) is his true masterpiece. Standing in the presence of such a domineering structure truly makes you feel/experience the messages that Gaudí was trying to send with this holy temple/cathedral.
In many ways, Gaudí believed that society was crumbling/rotting at the core and salvation was only possible through Catholicism. This devout Catholic truly believed that he had been chosen by God to help save society and bring stability back to the people of Barcelona. It must not be forgotten that Gaudí was alive during the turn of the 20th century and into the mid 1920s – a period which was plagued with social revolutions and numerous challenges to religious doctrine. Before I go too deep into the history of LSF, it is just important to recognize that Gaudí attempted to save society through his works of art. He highlighted just about all of his buildings with the infamous “four armed cross” in order to show that God was everywhere; however, LSF was meant to be the true “salvation of society.” Gaudí truly believed that the creation of this structure would revitalize the Catholic doctrine of Barcelona and would instill hope/pride back into the minds of these struggling people – a clearly ambitious goal which is arguably a bit difficult to completely comprehend.
Regardless, this man was completely obsessed with details and wanted every aspect of this temple to have some meaning behind it…another important thing to stress is the fact that Gaudí wanted to utilize the “lessons” that nature provided for him in an effort to highlight the true beauty of God and Catholicism. It is for this reason that the nativity façade looks like a forest and the inside of the temple resembles a tree canopy. Further detail can be witnessed by the fact that the staircases (four towers that people are able to walk down) are actually amplifiers for LSF’s bells/future choir. Gaudí designed the windows/slits in these towers not so people could get a good view of the city as they descended from the top; rather, they were meant to project the “religious sound/music” coming from the church (he wanted people from all around to hear God’s voice).
I could ramble on for days about the details/intricacies of this temple but I can sum them all up into a single point: Gaudí wanted his masterpiece to send a message. The message was loud and clear – salvation/happiness/change can be achieve through the Catholic church. Simply standing in front of this structure makes you wonder “what I would be capable of achieving through Catholicism? Gaudí dedicated his entire life to the Catholic doctrine and built this structure to symbolize that devotion. What am I capable of doing if I even dedicate a fraction of my life to the same faith?” This is the message that Gaudí wanted the people to perpetually ask themselves as they walked by this domineering edifice.
There are countless cathedrals across the globe but there is only one La Sagrada Familia. Furthermore, there is only one Antoni Gaudí who will ever walk this earth…although not originally from Barcelona (originally from Tarragona in southern Catalonia), he spent the majority of his life here. His presence/artwork is innately Catalan and helps to define Barcelona. As such, this trip to his true masterpiece was an eye opening experience which helped inspire me to write a twenty page paper on this man and his genius…needless to say, he is one of the most fascinating men that I have studied in my life.
In many ways, Gaudí believed that society was crumbling/rotting at the core and salvation was only possible through Catholicism. This devout Catholic truly believed that he had been chosen by God to help save society and bring stability back to the people of Barcelona. It must not be forgotten that Gaudí was alive during the turn of the 20th century and into the mid 1920s – a period which was plagued with social revolutions and numerous challenges to religious doctrine. Before I go too deep into the history of LSF, it is just important to recognize that Gaudí attempted to save society through his works of art. He highlighted just about all of his buildings with the infamous “four armed cross” in order to show that God was everywhere; however, LSF was meant to be the true “salvation of society.” Gaudí truly believed that the creation of this structure would revitalize the Catholic doctrine of Barcelona and would instill hope/pride back into the minds of these struggling people – a clearly ambitious goal which is arguably a bit difficult to completely comprehend.
Regardless, this man was completely obsessed with details and wanted every aspect of this temple to have some meaning behind it…another important thing to stress is the fact that Gaudí wanted to utilize the “lessons” that nature provided for him in an effort to highlight the true beauty of God and Catholicism. It is for this reason that the nativity façade looks like a forest and the inside of the temple resembles a tree canopy. Further detail can be witnessed by the fact that the staircases (four towers that people are able to walk down) are actually amplifiers for LSF’s bells/future choir. Gaudí designed the windows/slits in these towers not so people could get a good view of the city as they descended from the top; rather, they were meant to project the “religious sound/music” coming from the church (he wanted people from all around to hear God’s voice).
I could ramble on for days about the details/intricacies of this temple but I can sum them all up into a single point: Gaudí wanted his masterpiece to send a message. The message was loud and clear – salvation/happiness/change can be achieve through the Catholic church. Simply standing in front of this structure makes you wonder “what I would be capable of achieving through Catholicism? Gaudí dedicated his entire life to the Catholic doctrine and built this structure to symbolize that devotion. What am I capable of doing if I even dedicate a fraction of my life to the same faith?” This is the message that Gaudí wanted the people to perpetually ask themselves as they walked by this domineering edifice.
There are countless cathedrals across the globe but there is only one La Sagrada Familia. Furthermore, there is only one Antoni Gaudí who will ever walk this earth…although not originally from Barcelona (originally from Tarragona in southern Catalonia), he spent the majority of his life here. His presence/artwork is innately Catalan and helps to define Barcelona. As such, this trip to his true masterpiece was an eye opening experience which helped inspire me to write a twenty page paper on this man and his genius…needless to say, he is one of the most fascinating men that I have studied in my life.
Sitges Journal February 16th
Where do I begin…I guess the best place to start is to give a basic history of “why” I decided to get make the infamous journey to the small beach city of Sitges on Tuesday night. To make a long story short, it has been tradition to celebrate “Carnival” here for many a generation of individuals. The area provides a quaint Mediterranean city which is highlighted by its proximity to the beach and the short train ride from Barcelona. The Carnival celebration itself lasts for about seven days (February 11th – 16th, festivities end at sunrise on the 17th) and during that time, it is nothing but non-stop partying in this city. Furthermore, this cultural event is defined by the flamboyant costumes and the extravagant parades that the locals participate in that perpetually draw large crowds. To avoid getting too detailed into the “history” behind the festival, I will just try to provide a “lay-man’s” description of the history behind the festival. Essentially, the festival begins the week before the first day of Lent; in many ways, it provides the populace with an opportunity to engage in whatever “sinful” activities that they desire. People are basically free to do whatever they want for this period of time and gladly utilize that liberty. In most instances, people dress absolutely ridiculously, drink to excess, smoke gratuitous amounts of pot, and have sex on the beach; this is a bit of an exaggerated description but you get the idea. It should also be noted that the gay community makes a strong showing at this event as thousands of gay individuals flock to Sitges during this time; in most cases, the men dress up like women (as I did) or dress up like penises (a funny sight to say the least). Anyway, this is the scene in this city for all of the nights only to finally conclude on the Sitges beach early on the morning of the 17th – the traditional burial of the sardines marks the end of the event and the beginning of Lent.
Now, this is what is “supposed” to happen when you visit Sitges. You are given the opportunity to dress extravagantly, drink excessively, and just have an overall wonderful party experience. However, this is NOT how mine went…it is pretty safe to say that I made a good start to enjoying the festivities as I drank quite a bit and was “feeling pretty good” once I got on the train. Once on the train…that is where things began to take a turn for the worst. In the true spirit of Carnival, everybody was offering drinks to one another and I did not have any difficulty in finding free booze. I think the most basic math equation will paint a fantastic picture here – lots of booze (+) more free booze (+) inhaling whatever everybody was smoking (=) death. Yea, that about sums it all up.
Long story short, I only remember fragments of the night. My friends would like to state that “not remembering means that you certainly had a great time!” Although this logic is a bit tempting, it is certainly not the case…I got separated from my friends and I was forced to walk around Sitges for a few hours by myself because none of them had phones. Needless to say, it was a bit of a traumatic experience. However, I was able to take a few pictures but as you will see, I was definitely NOT walking in a straight line when I took them (clear indication of my intoxication). The night was finally topped off by having to make the journey home by myself…in a cab. Yes, a taxi took me home from Sitges. We’ll leave it at this, it was a “drunk decision” that required me to withdraw too much money out of the ATM.
All in all, I remember going to my Spanish class still completely drunk and that was a horrible experience (something that I will never do again). However, it was worth the experience to go and see Sitges during this traditional holiday. Although, I think the next time that I go I will try and be a bit more sober so I actually remember all of it…
Now, this is what is “supposed” to happen when you visit Sitges. You are given the opportunity to dress extravagantly, drink excessively, and just have an overall wonderful party experience. However, this is NOT how mine went…it is pretty safe to say that I made a good start to enjoying the festivities as I drank quite a bit and was “feeling pretty good” once I got on the train. Once on the train…that is where things began to take a turn for the worst. In the true spirit of Carnival, everybody was offering drinks to one another and I did not have any difficulty in finding free booze. I think the most basic math equation will paint a fantastic picture here – lots of booze (+) more free booze (+) inhaling whatever everybody was smoking (=) death. Yea, that about sums it all up.
Long story short, I only remember fragments of the night. My friends would like to state that “not remembering means that you certainly had a great time!” Although this logic is a bit tempting, it is certainly not the case…I got separated from my friends and I was forced to walk around Sitges for a few hours by myself because none of them had phones. Needless to say, it was a bit of a traumatic experience. However, I was able to take a few pictures but as you will see, I was definitely NOT walking in a straight line when I took them (clear indication of my intoxication). The night was finally topped off by having to make the journey home by myself…in a cab. Yes, a taxi took me home from Sitges. We’ll leave it at this, it was a “drunk decision” that required me to withdraw too much money out of the ATM.
All in all, I remember going to my Spanish class still completely drunk and that was a horrible experience (something that I will never do again). However, it was worth the experience to go and see Sitges during this traditional holiday. Although, I think the next time that I go I will try and be a bit more sober so I actually remember all of it…
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Lunch with the locals - March 12th
This was the reason that I came to Spain. In all honesty, there is no other way that I can explain it…the latter sentence literally sums up my feelings about this experience.
Today, I had lunch with three individuals who were all from the Barcelona area (thank you once again Xaví for the opportunity!). At the beginning of my “journey” I had told myself that I wanted to truly live amongst the locals and avoid all “tourist traps/amreicanized activities.” Furthermore, I had set a goal for myself that I would challenge myself in any way possible; one of these challenges was to try and eat/drink with some of the local populace. The important thing to mention is that I wanted to do this on my own (without the company of other Americans, etc.) Now, it should be mentioned that one of the individuals that I joined for lunch was my professor so the individuals were not complete strangers. However, the other two young men who were local artists were total strangers to me so I guess it’s safe to say that I fulfilled my goal that I had set for myself.
Although we did not dine on “traditional” Spanish cuisine (main course was polenta with a lamb sauce – Italian dish), the experience was completely Spanish. We ate our meal the dining room of my professor’s flat and we were overlooking the city of Barcelona. The view was absolutely spectacular seeing as my professor’s apartment is very close to Park Güell which is a high point in the city. I must also not neglect to mention that during the meal, we spoke predominantly in Spanish…now, I must admit that I was unable to speak a great deal because my Spanish is not as strong as I would like; however, I was able to understand about 90% of the conversation and it was worth every moment to listen to what these individuals had to say. It was a truly “fluid” conversation that flowed quite naturally as the topics of conversation easily transitioned from music to politics to weather to nightlife and then back to music again…needless to say, it was nice to be amongst individuals who were having “intelligent” conversation with one another (something that has been lacking here at CEA).
Anyway, before I start getting too analytical with this wonderful experience I will sum it all up. This was one of the few moments in my life where I am absolutely certain that I will “take it to my grave” and never forget the experience. It was a moment that I will tell my grandkids about. It was a moment which helped to paint the “true portrait” of the city of Barcelona and provided an honest representation of how the people interact with one another. Unforgettable, simply unforgettable…
Today, I had lunch with three individuals who were all from the Barcelona area (thank you once again Xaví for the opportunity!). At the beginning of my “journey” I had told myself that I wanted to truly live amongst the locals and avoid all “tourist traps/amreicanized activities.” Furthermore, I had set a goal for myself that I would challenge myself in any way possible; one of these challenges was to try and eat/drink with some of the local populace. The important thing to mention is that I wanted to do this on my own (without the company of other Americans, etc.) Now, it should be mentioned that one of the individuals that I joined for lunch was my professor so the individuals were not complete strangers. However, the other two young men who were local artists were total strangers to me so I guess it’s safe to say that I fulfilled my goal that I had set for myself.
Although we did not dine on “traditional” Spanish cuisine (main course was polenta with a lamb sauce – Italian dish), the experience was completely Spanish. We ate our meal the dining room of my professor’s flat and we were overlooking the city of Barcelona. The view was absolutely spectacular seeing as my professor’s apartment is very close to Park Güell which is a high point in the city. I must also not neglect to mention that during the meal, we spoke predominantly in Spanish…now, I must admit that I was unable to speak a great deal because my Spanish is not as strong as I would like; however, I was able to understand about 90% of the conversation and it was worth every moment to listen to what these individuals had to say. It was a truly “fluid” conversation that flowed quite naturally as the topics of conversation easily transitioned from music to politics to weather to nightlife and then back to music again…needless to say, it was nice to be amongst individuals who were having “intelligent” conversation with one another (something that has been lacking here at CEA).
Anyway, before I start getting too analytical with this wonderful experience I will sum it all up. This was one of the few moments in my life where I am absolutely certain that I will “take it to my grave” and never forget the experience. It was a moment that I will tell my grandkids about. It was a moment which helped to paint the “true portrait” of the city of Barcelona and provided an honest representation of how the people interact with one another. Unforgettable, simply unforgettable…
Spanish Food Journal - March 11th
I can safely say that the seventeen euro meal that I had today was one of the best meals that I have ever had in my life! The “menú del día” is one of the best deals on the face of the planet. Unfortunately, the name of the place slips my mind at the moment; however, I know that the restaurant is down in the Port Olimpic section of the city and it is right next to the water. Regardless, we were served six courses of absolutely spectacular food.
The meal started off with some ripe green olives, traditional “pa amb tomàquet/pan con tomate,” and fresh olive oil. This light starter was followed by a refreshing house salad which had black olives, tuna, onions, corn, carrots, and iceberg lettuce. Many individuals would likely have been able to make a meal out of these “starters!” However, there was still a lot more food to come…the third and fourth dishes were some true Mediterranean classics (at least, I think they’re classics). The third and fourth dishes they brought were plates of fried calamari and mussels. Sadly, I am not a big fan of either of these dishes. Both of these dishes have a unique consistency/texture that is not that appealing to me…however, I still mustered up the courage to try them both. The calamari was cooked really well and did not have too much of a “fishy taste. The mussels on the other hand were a different story; they were much too fishy and a bit overcooked; however, the marinara broth that they were in was spectacular. The next dish was the “main course.” Even though shellfish/seafood is not too appealing to my palate, I elected to have a traditional paella dish. The paella was cooked in a huge pan which they showed us before they divvied up our portions…it was one of the most impressive culinary masterpieces that I have ever seen (it was at about this moment when I wished I had my camera…). I had enjoyed the delights of paella before in my life but certainly not like this. Everything was absolutely wonderful and the dish was cooked to perfection. Simply having a taste of this dish proved to me that “somebody in the kitchen” truly cared about what they were making. The paella had that “special ingredient” which all great dishes have: love. Whoever made this dish took his/her time in preparing it and it was quite evident. Thank you whoever you are!
Finally, they brought out a nice dessert to top off a stunning experience. Our cravings for some sweets were satisfied by the sixth and final course, a light chocolate mousse. I’m not sure how “traditional” this dish is but either way, it was delicious. Did I mention that we were given unlimited wine throughout the entire meal! Yes, unlimited bottles of wine. Sure, it wasn’t the greatest wine but for an American who is visiting Barcelona…free wine is perfect wine!
All in all, the meal was unforgettable. I just wish that there were places like this in America…
Guild Journal - Febuary 23rd
One of the common misunderstandings about the guilds during the Middle Ages is the fact that they were one of the strongest entities within society. Many people assume that the “economic/political strength” of these organizations does not compare to that of their modern counterparts (big businesses, corporations, etc.). However, that is certainly not the case. These close knit organizations were one of the most powerful/influential aspects within society during these times. In fact, many of these guilds had representatives within the Council of One Hundred and Corts Catalanes who could sway the decision making of the king. In fact, some would argue that it was these organizations which made Catalunya (Barcelona in particular) one of the most democratic kingdoms within all of Europe. At the height of their influential power, the guilds’ “lobbyists” effectively worked like their modern counterparts and ensured that their “client’s” interests were best served by the head of state. This close interaction between these organizations and the king must certainly be related to the “commercial/economic” mindset of the Catalonian people and the rest of Europe; otherwise, kings would have just ruled over them with an iron fist and imposed their own wishes.
However, this “democratic existence” between guilds and the monarchy is not what interests me most about their existence. The thing that grabbed my attention the most during this trip was the fact that the entire system of guilds was so closely knit. It says something about a business when the owner of the company/guild lives amongst the lower members of the social hierarchy. Essentially, during these times, the head of the guild would live on the “nobility” floor of the house (1st floor) and the servants would live on the top floor (as you move up on the floors, you move down on the social later). This idea of servants living with the [wealthy] owner is something that was extremely interesting to think about. It is absolutely impossible to think that something like that would happen today. Can you imagine the CEO of General Motors living with one of the workers on the assembly line? I’m quite certain that ‘absolutely not’ is the answer that comes to mind.
That being the case, it leads me to question whether or not the same “value/care” is placed into the daily proceedings of the workers within a particular company today. Back during the Middle Ages, individuals had a greater sense of pride working within their particular crafts; individuals made their products by hand and countless hours of work went into the perfection of their trade. Furthermore, their blood, sweat, and tears went into the shop day in and day out in order to maintain the high standards of the guild. Such pride and appreciation for their work can be experienced within the walls of La Santa Maria del Mar. This church was built “by workers for workers” during the fourteenth century. Although it is not as extravagant as one of its counterparts (Cathedral of Barcelona), you get the sense of care and emotion once you walk through its doors. In a lot of ways, this church does not give off the gaudy/extravagant feel or many other cathedrals/churches of the time. However, it proves to be extremely special in its own way as its quite apparent, through the dedicated floor tiles, that people truly cared about the building and were filled with pride when it was finally constructed.
However, this “democratic existence” between guilds and the monarchy is not what interests me most about their existence. The thing that grabbed my attention the most during this trip was the fact that the entire system of guilds was so closely knit. It says something about a business when the owner of the company/guild lives amongst the lower members of the social hierarchy. Essentially, during these times, the head of the guild would live on the “nobility” floor of the house (1st floor) and the servants would live on the top floor (as you move up on the floors, you move down on the social later). This idea of servants living with the [wealthy] owner is something that was extremely interesting to think about. It is absolutely impossible to think that something like that would happen today. Can you imagine the CEO of General Motors living with one of the workers on the assembly line? I’m quite certain that ‘absolutely not’ is the answer that comes to mind.
That being the case, it leads me to question whether or not the same “value/care” is placed into the daily proceedings of the workers within a particular company today. Back during the Middle Ages, individuals had a greater sense of pride working within their particular crafts; individuals made their products by hand and countless hours of work went into the perfection of their trade. Furthermore, their blood, sweat, and tears went into the shop day in and day out in order to maintain the high standards of the guild. Such pride and appreciation for their work can be experienced within the walls of La Santa Maria del Mar. This church was built “by workers for workers” during the fourteenth century. Although it is not as extravagant as one of its counterparts (Cathedral of Barcelona), you get the sense of care and emotion once you walk through its doors. In a lot of ways, this church does not give off the gaudy/extravagant feel or many other cathedrals/churches of the time. However, it proves to be extremely special in its own way as its quite apparent, through the dedicated floor tiles, that people truly cared about the building and were filled with pride when it was finally constructed.
Today, it is unlikely that individuals within the trade unions and other such “worker” organizations actually feel a sense of pride for their work. These individuals recognize that they are nothing more than pawns within the greater [business] game of life and are practically dispensable. Therefore, you will never see workers and CEOs living together. Furthermore, these individuals, whom I must stress we rely on, do not care about what they are producing. This lack of care/interest in their efforts translates into a lack of value within the company’s products and a decreased sense of value for all humanity.
Nightlife of BCN - Febuary 19th
It would be an absolute injustice to the city to not mention the nightlife of one of the greatest party locations in Europe. I will admit that I am not a huge fan of going out to clubs/discotheques…I rarely indulge myself with such “pleasures” and perpetually ask myself why people find such an activity so stimulating. Regardless, I figured “when in Barcelona,” I mind as well experience some of their clubs.
One of the things that had the greatest impact on such an experience was the fact that everything starts so late. If you would have told me that I wouldn’t be eating dinner until 11pm (23.00), I would have told you that you were crazy. Furthermore, if you would have told me that clubs do not even open their doors to let people in until about 1 – 2 am, my reply would have been, “Lunacy.” However, here I am writing about such experiences having walked back into my room at 6am a few nights before…I think much of my club experience must be related more towards an “Americanized” experience in Barcelona because I went with American students, to a club packed with Americans, and amongst bartenders who spoke English. In hindsight, I regret this decision. Although I enjoyed the time I spent out with these individuals, I could have enjoyed that “club” experience back in the states; as such, I decided that I want to stop going to clubs and start going to bars.
Certainly, one of the best ways to start talking to a person and attempt to get to know them is over a few drinks. Intoxication always succeeds at “loosening the lips” of individuals while also relaxing the nerves. Therefore, it could be argued that drinking/alcohol proves to be an effective catalyst when it comes to learning about another person’s culture/way of life. However, I recognize that it is absolutely impossible to learn about Spanish culture/Catalonian culture while I am at clubs like Opium, Shoko, and CDLC. It is within the walls of the local bars/establishments that you will find the local people who truly represent the nightlife of the city. Furthermore, it is these individuals whom will provide you with the truly valuable cultural wisdom/knowledge which you will never forget.
Unfortunately, I have not found the courage to walk into one of those local bars [with or without a smaller group of people] in order to experience that atmosphere. However, I have spent quite a lot of time in tapas bars and cafés to make a few assumptions about the local populace. The first of these is the fact that people from this city, and likely many other European cities, have a greater overall appreciation for life. Individuals do not drink and eats simply for the sake of eating and drinking; rather, people go to these local establishments as a way to socialize with their friends and family. To people from Barcelona, the seemingly simple action of sharing a glass of wine/eating some cheese is deeply tied to notions of trust and business. Like I mentioned within the Roman Barcino journal, “people would not conduct business with a person until they broke bread with them.” That simple statement proves that sharing a meal with a person is indicative of a deep connection between the individuals and symbolizes their trust for one another. Now, I doubt this “traditional” notion of breaking bread still has as much weight to this day as it did back in Roman times; however, the vestiges of that cultural significance still leaves its impression to this day. People from Barcelona understand that sharing a meal/coffee with other people is an action that holds a great deal of significance. Furthermore, the time that they spend with together is very valuable and they appreciate every moment that they have together. Now, I’m likely exaggerating this notion a bit and, by doing so, making everything within Barcelona seem a bit more “valuable” than America. However, I do not think I’m too far off in saying that people enjoy life here more than within the states.
The other major difference that I noted [and really enjoy] is the fact that people actually talk to one another. What I mean here is you are able to find strangers within these cafés/tapas bars talking to one another! People who do not know each other area actually engaging in conversation! This is something that would rarely happen back in America and it’s perceived to be weird when it does actually occur. I find such an idea extremely uplifting. To think that strangers feel comfortable enough to talk to one another about anything and everything…I don’t know but I must some sort of chivalrous individual. Anyway, these experiences basically boil down to the fact that I am beginning to truly realize how “slower” and “down to earth” the lifestyle in Barcelona/Europe is when compared to the United States. At this point, I am beginning to get the feeling that people here know how to “live better” than people in America…
One of the things that had the greatest impact on such an experience was the fact that everything starts so late. If you would have told me that I wouldn’t be eating dinner until 11pm (23.00), I would have told you that you were crazy. Furthermore, if you would have told me that clubs do not even open their doors to let people in until about 1 – 2 am, my reply would have been, “Lunacy.” However, here I am writing about such experiences having walked back into my room at 6am a few nights before…I think much of my club experience must be related more towards an “Americanized” experience in Barcelona because I went with American students, to a club packed with Americans, and amongst bartenders who spoke English. In hindsight, I regret this decision. Although I enjoyed the time I spent out with these individuals, I could have enjoyed that “club” experience back in the states; as such, I decided that I want to stop going to clubs and start going to bars.
Certainly, one of the best ways to start talking to a person and attempt to get to know them is over a few drinks. Intoxication always succeeds at “loosening the lips” of individuals while also relaxing the nerves. Therefore, it could be argued that drinking/alcohol proves to be an effective catalyst when it comes to learning about another person’s culture/way of life. However, I recognize that it is absolutely impossible to learn about Spanish culture/Catalonian culture while I am at clubs like Opium, Shoko, and CDLC. It is within the walls of the local bars/establishments that you will find the local people who truly represent the nightlife of the city. Furthermore, it is these individuals whom will provide you with the truly valuable cultural wisdom/knowledge which you will never forget.
Unfortunately, I have not found the courage to walk into one of those local bars [with or without a smaller group of people] in order to experience that atmosphere. However, I have spent quite a lot of time in tapas bars and cafés to make a few assumptions about the local populace. The first of these is the fact that people from this city, and likely many other European cities, have a greater overall appreciation for life. Individuals do not drink and eats simply for the sake of eating and drinking; rather, people go to these local establishments as a way to socialize with their friends and family. To people from Barcelona, the seemingly simple action of sharing a glass of wine/eating some cheese is deeply tied to notions of trust and business. Like I mentioned within the Roman Barcino journal, “people would not conduct business with a person until they broke bread with them.” That simple statement proves that sharing a meal with a person is indicative of a deep connection between the individuals and symbolizes their trust for one another. Now, I doubt this “traditional” notion of breaking bread still has as much weight to this day as it did back in Roman times; however, the vestiges of that cultural significance still leaves its impression to this day. People from Barcelona understand that sharing a meal/coffee with other people is an action that holds a great deal of significance. Furthermore, the time that they spend with together is very valuable and they appreciate every moment that they have together. Now, I’m likely exaggerating this notion a bit and, by doing so, making everything within Barcelona seem a bit more “valuable” than America. However, I do not think I’m too far off in saying that people enjoy life here more than within the states.
The other major difference that I noted [and really enjoy] is the fact that people actually talk to one another. What I mean here is you are able to find strangers within these cafés/tapas bars talking to one another! People who do not know each other area actually engaging in conversation! This is something that would rarely happen back in America and it’s perceived to be weird when it does actually occur. I find such an idea extremely uplifting. To think that strangers feel comfortable enough to talk to one another about anything and everything…I don’t know but I must some sort of chivalrous individual. Anyway, these experiences basically boil down to the fact that I am beginning to truly realize how “slower” and “down to earth” the lifestyle in Barcelona/Europe is when compared to the United States. At this point, I am beginning to get the feeling that people here know how to “live better” than people in America…
Monday, March 22, 2010
Barca vs Getafe, February 7th
One of the greatest experiences of my life. I cannot even begin to explain how much of an impact this game had on my sanity/lifetime experience. I have been playing soccer ever since I was four years old and, to be completely honest, it was the first love of my life. For the better part of my twenty years on this planet, I have eaten, bled, drank, cried, and breathed soccer every single day. That being the case, I am one of the few “true” soccer fans within the states and have been waiting for a moment like this for nearly fifteen years. People have always told me that “watching a football match in stadiums like Camp Nou, San Siro, Wembley, and Santiago Bernabeu are unlike anything else.” I knew that the experience was going to be something special but I didn’t truly appreciate it until now…
There is something about 80,000 individuals being in the same place at once and experiencing the same environment. I don’t know how to explain it but I will do my best to try…it felt as if everybody, both on and off the pitch, were linked as one. When Messi scored, we felt his excitement. When Iniesta was harshly fouled, we felt the frustration and anger that the players on FC Barcelona felt. And, when Getafe scored their “consolation goal,” the fans were able to feel the disappointment that Valdés felt when he was unable to keep his clean sheet for the match. I do not know how anybody could not feel that aura/atmosphere within that stadium. For that reason, I have already decided that I am attending another game in the near future! I enjoyed myself so much that I need to go back and experience a truly competitive match within La Liga (hopefully I will get to see Barcelona play Villarreal).
There is something about 80,000 individuals being in the same place at once and experiencing the same environment. I don’t know how to explain it but I will do my best to try…it felt as if everybody, both on and off the pitch, were linked as one. When Messi scored, we felt his excitement. When Iniesta was harshly fouled, we felt the frustration and anger that the players on FC Barcelona felt. And, when Getafe scored their “consolation goal,” the fans were able to feel the disappointment that Valdés felt when he was unable to keep his clean sheet for the match. I do not know how anybody could not feel that aura/atmosphere within that stadium. For that reason, I have already decided that I am attending another game in the near future! I enjoyed myself so much that I need to go back and experience a truly competitive match within La Liga (hopefully I will get to see Barcelona play Villarreal).
Roman Barcino February 4th
It is going to sound a bit strange but the experience that I had at Roman Barcino was probably one of the best experiences that I have had in Barcelona thus far. I’m certain that much of my excitement deals with the fact that I am a history major; however, that does not take away from the fact the preservation of this old city is astonishing. To think that something so old – Roman Barcino came into existence during the First Century AD – has not crumbled into ruins is absolutely amazing. Certainly, much of this preservation must be associated with the fact that people have attempted to keep everything preserved. This is quite understandable because this vestige of the Roman city provides a “sliver” of the cultural life during Roman times. The areas we saw effectively gave us an idea of what life would have been like if we had lived in their times (of course, this can only be accomplished with a little bit of imagination).
As I reflect upon my visit, I realize that there were a few things which really stuck out in my mind. The first of these deals with the fact that Roman architecture was so unbelievably strong. Roman builders were not necessary “architects” in the modern sense of the word but they certainly were engineers and knew what they were doing. As such, they did study ancient techniques and through that analysis they were able to develop “revolutionary” designs/implementations like the “arch.” Although the development of the arch is important, the thing that struck me as more fascinating is the fact that people from the Middle Ages [and even people after them] built on top of Roman ruins. This is something that is practically unheard of during these times. When new generations or invading peoples came to power, they usually took apart much of the previous inhabitants’ buildings in order to make way for their own buildings. In most cases, they would destroy “old buildings” and “salvage” the materials which could be used in the creation of their “new structure.” However, the buildings that you see above Roman Barcino sit on top of the old Roman foundations. Essentially, there are buildings from the fourteenth century that sit atop these foundations! Why you ask? They sit atop these old foundations because they are so sturdy, well laid, and effective that there was no need to destroy them. Why should you remove/fix something that is perfectly functional?
This is absolutely amazing because this is something that would never happen today. Structures today do not stand for thousands of years; let alone would their foundations be able to support new, heavier structures. This simple fact says a lot about Roman ingenuity during their times and it says even more about the mentality of the Roman people. It says so much about the people because they were the ones who created the buildings. In a way, architecture is nothing more than an extension of society and what the individuals of that society find valuable. As such, it is clear that the Roman people desired a style of architecture which was extremely strong, undeniably practical, and could effectively send a message. Of course, that clear message was that the Roman people were strong, domineering figures who were there to stay.
The second thing which was really interesting was the fact that the Roman civilization was highly advanced for their time. I knew that the Romans were a highly developed civilization; after all, they helped “lay the foundation for Western civilization.” However, to see everything up close, it truly put everything into perspective. Such highlights of their ingenuity can be seen with their advances in highway technology, development of the aqueduct system, the first real implementation of a sewer system, construction of vast temples, bath houses with [hot] running water, slopped roofs to keep the fountains filled with water, and that is just to name a few. All of these things express creativity and intelligence while at the same time they scream common sense and functionality. Even by taking a simplistic look at these developments, a person can see why the Romans were so important to the foundation of western civilization. Almost all of our “modern” developments are connected to these original creations/foundations in one way or another. It is something that really makes question how far we have actually come.
As I reflect upon my visit, I realize that there were a few things which really stuck out in my mind. The first of these deals with the fact that Roman architecture was so unbelievably strong. Roman builders were not necessary “architects” in the modern sense of the word but they certainly were engineers and knew what they were doing. As such, they did study ancient techniques and through that analysis they were able to develop “revolutionary” designs/implementations like the “arch.” Although the development of the arch is important, the thing that struck me as more fascinating is the fact that people from the Middle Ages [and even people after them] built on top of Roman ruins. This is something that is practically unheard of during these times. When new generations or invading peoples came to power, they usually took apart much of the previous inhabitants’ buildings in order to make way for their own buildings. In most cases, they would destroy “old buildings” and “salvage” the materials which could be used in the creation of their “new structure.” However, the buildings that you see above Roman Barcino sit on top of the old Roman foundations. Essentially, there are buildings from the fourteenth century that sit atop these foundations! Why you ask? They sit atop these old foundations because they are so sturdy, well laid, and effective that there was no need to destroy them. Why should you remove/fix something that is perfectly functional?
This is absolutely amazing because this is something that would never happen today. Structures today do not stand for thousands of years; let alone would their foundations be able to support new, heavier structures. This simple fact says a lot about Roman ingenuity during their times and it says even more about the mentality of the Roman people. It says so much about the people because they were the ones who created the buildings. In a way, architecture is nothing more than an extension of society and what the individuals of that society find valuable. As such, it is clear that the Roman people desired a style of architecture which was extremely strong, undeniably practical, and could effectively send a message. Of course, that clear message was that the Roman people were strong, domineering figures who were there to stay.
The second thing which was really interesting was the fact that the Roman civilization was highly advanced for their time. I knew that the Romans were a highly developed civilization; after all, they helped “lay the foundation for Western civilization.” However, to see everything up close, it truly put everything into perspective. Such highlights of their ingenuity can be seen with their advances in highway technology, development of the aqueduct system, the first real implementation of a sewer system, construction of vast temples, bath houses with [hot] running water, slopped roofs to keep the fountains filled with water, and that is just to name a few. All of these things express creativity and intelligence while at the same time they scream common sense and functionality. Even by taking a simplistic look at these developments, a person can see why the Romans were so important to the foundation of western civilization. Almost all of our “modern” developments are connected to these original creations/foundations in one way or another. It is something that really makes question how far we have actually come.
The last thing that I took a particular interest to revolves around the ongoing debate between Spain and Italy: who has the better wine? Even during the times of Roman Barcino, this argument was going on and people were quarreling over who had the best wine across the Empire. Although Italy usually won out, the wine which came from the area of Roman Barcino/came through its small port was quite good. If I remember correctly, it was considered a “good second class wine.” That being the case, it was just extraordinary to see how far that wine was able to travel through the channels of Roman trade. One of the maps that we saw made it clear that the places where the wine from this area travelled stretched from the coast of Britania all the way to parts of the Eastern Mediterranean/Byzantium. It is just fascinating to not only see how far people were able to travel during those times but, more importantly, how connected we still are with the past. Things that were going on back then (debate over who has the better wine) are still going on to this day. In a way, this fact simply serves a bizarre reminder of how history always seems to repeat itself…
Journal 1
I’m sure you have heard the term culture shock before. If you haven’t, you likely have been living under a rock for the better part of eternity. Culture shock certainly runs hand in hand with the adventure that my peers and I have chosen to embark upon. We have been thrown into a new place, with new people, a different language, and just about everything around this is different. However, I can assure you that my experience in Barcelona has been vastly different than the rest of my peers. My hometown encompasses a total population of less than 7,000 individuals. To paint a brief portrait, cows/chickens outnumber the human population and it is not uncommon to see people riding horses around the town. Furthermore, the high school which I attended had a graduating class of sixty-three individuals the year that I graduated. Basically, up until these past few weeks, my world has been relatively small and seemingly uncomplicated.
Therefore, my transition from American to Barcelona has been a bit difficult. Furthermore, I came on this adventure for entirely different reasons than the rest of my peers. It is going to sound a bit “snobby” but I came here for enlightenment. I did not come here to go crazy, get drunk every other night, and to basically have freshman year of university all over again. I came here because I wanted to learn about the new culture, to live amongst the European population, and [more importantly] to challenge everything that I thought about myself. It is indeed true that in times of great peril, when faced with the trials and tribulations of life, you begin to understand “what you are really made of.” That being the case, I came to Barcelona to put myself out there and to challenge who I am as a person.
At this moment in time, it is a bit difficult to focus on “Barcelona” and my particular experience thus far. I know that this is a great city and has a lot to offer. Soon enough, once I take down my “cultural barriers” and all other such limitations, I will begin to realize how special this place truly is and how much I will be able to learn. Even now, I can see the subtle differences between here and America: people whistling as they walk down the street, people walking their dogs without leashes, cafés/bars on every corner…undoubtedly, the lifestyle here is different. However, the primary difference revolves around the notion of “enjoyment of life.” I cannot comment on the rest of Europe but the past couple of weeks have shown me that people from Barcelona tend to appreciate the “little things” much more than people back in the states. This is a token of appreciation which I hope to become wise enough to ascertain while abroad.
Therefore, my transition from American to Barcelona has been a bit difficult. Furthermore, I came on this adventure for entirely different reasons than the rest of my peers. It is going to sound a bit “snobby” but I came here for enlightenment. I did not come here to go crazy, get drunk every other night, and to basically have freshman year of university all over again. I came here because I wanted to learn about the new culture, to live amongst the European population, and [more importantly] to challenge everything that I thought about myself. It is indeed true that in times of great peril, when faced with the trials and tribulations of life, you begin to understand “what you are really made of.” That being the case, I came to Barcelona to put myself out there and to challenge who I am as a person.
At this moment in time, it is a bit difficult to focus on “Barcelona” and my particular experience thus far. I know that this is a great city and has a lot to offer. Soon enough, once I take down my “cultural barriers” and all other such limitations, I will begin to realize how special this place truly is and how much I will be able to learn. Even now, I can see the subtle differences between here and America: people whistling as they walk down the street, people walking their dogs without leashes, cafés/bars on every corner…undoubtedly, the lifestyle here is different. However, the primary difference revolves around the notion of “enjoyment of life.” I cannot comment on the rest of Europe but the past couple of weeks have shown me that people from Barcelona tend to appreciate the “little things” much more than people back in the states. This is a token of appreciation which I hope to become wise enough to ascertain while abroad.
Calcots Experience
Calçots “Food” Experience – January 30th, 2010
Where to begin for this culinary experience…it is fairly safe to say that what I consumed today was quite traditional to this region of Spain. The restaurant that we ate in was practically in the middle of nowhere. Actually, I will rephrase that…it was in the middle of nowhere. The bus that we took drove us down a dirt road which took us to the middle of a field. This was the location in which we were about to devour our “calçots” delicacy.
Calçots are basically spring onions which are roasted on a smoldering fire. Now, to the “faint of heart/those with weak stomachs,” these interesting looking vegetables look like burned weeds when they are served. The best place to start is to describe the atmosphere a bit. First off, it is important to stress the fact that this place is in the middle of nowhere and we are truly in the countryside. However, with that being said, there was still a massive line to get into the restaurant. It is pretty safe to say that this “restaurant” (building looked like a barn) had over 150 people waiting in line…not to mention there was about another 200 people inside already eating. This reality made me believe that this place must be doing something right…once inside, the Spanish cultural experience began almost immediately. It was quite evident that we would be enjoying a traditional “family style” meal in which many individuals sat around the table and shared the same food. There is something truly special about this sort of experience no matter what country you are in. The relationship you have with the people that you “break bread with” is absolutely remarkable and that experience is only compounded when you shared it with so many different individuals.
Anyway, the building was not nice/comfortable by any stretch of the imagination; however, the food did all of the talking. We enjoyed pan con tomate, French fries, sausage, calçots, salad, and washed it all down with some Fanta©! Although I as a bit hesitant at first to consume these leafy, green vegetables, I have since been convinced that they truly are something wonderful. Just about everything about these vegetables is unique (taste, preparation, way in which you eat them, etc.). Although they were a bit messy to eat (black charcoal/soot all over my hands and clothes) I would absolutely have then again. Furthermore, the place we that we ate at had a strong rustic feel which, with a little bit of imagination, took me back to “traditional Spain.” I would not be surprised to hear that people had been enjoying similar experiences, in the same restaurant/location, one hundred years earlier. Simply put, this authentic Spanish lunch was truly intriguing and has left me craving more; more calçots, more pan con tomate, and more Spanish culture!
Where to begin for this culinary experience…it is fairly safe to say that what I consumed today was quite traditional to this region of Spain. The restaurant that we ate in was practically in the middle of nowhere. Actually, I will rephrase that…it was in the middle of nowhere. The bus that we took drove us down a dirt road which took us to the middle of a field. This was the location in which we were about to devour our “calçots” delicacy.
Calçots are basically spring onions which are roasted on a smoldering fire. Now, to the “faint of heart/those with weak stomachs,” these interesting looking vegetables look like burned weeds when they are served. The best place to start is to describe the atmosphere a bit. First off, it is important to stress the fact that this place is in the middle of nowhere and we are truly in the countryside. However, with that being said, there was still a massive line to get into the restaurant. It is pretty safe to say that this “restaurant” (building looked like a barn) had over 150 people waiting in line…not to mention there was about another 200 people inside already eating. This reality made me believe that this place must be doing something right…once inside, the Spanish cultural experience began almost immediately. It was quite evident that we would be enjoying a traditional “family style” meal in which many individuals sat around the table and shared the same food. There is something truly special about this sort of experience no matter what country you are in. The relationship you have with the people that you “break bread with” is absolutely remarkable and that experience is only compounded when you shared it with so many different individuals.
Anyway, the building was not nice/comfortable by any stretch of the imagination; however, the food did all of the talking. We enjoyed pan con tomate, French fries, sausage, calçots, salad, and washed it all down with some Fanta©! Although I as a bit hesitant at first to consume these leafy, green vegetables, I have since been convinced that they truly are something wonderful. Just about everything about these vegetables is unique (taste, preparation, way in which you eat them, etc.). Although they were a bit messy to eat (black charcoal/soot all over my hands and clothes) I would absolutely have then again. Furthermore, the place we that we ate at had a strong rustic feel which, with a little bit of imagination, took me back to “traditional Spain.” I would not be surprised to hear that people had been enjoying similar experiences, in the same restaurant/location, one hundred years earlier. Simply put, this authentic Spanish lunch was truly intriguing and has left me craving more; more calçots, more pan con tomate, and more Spanish culture!
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