Index

Fieldtrips

Roman

Jewish

El Born

Raval

Cultural Activities

La Merce Lightshow

La Sagrada Familia

Christmas Market at La Sagrada Familia

Leisure

FCB v Mallorca

Parc Ciutadella

Moog

Restaurants

Champañeria

Tapa Tapa

Cerveceria

Local News

Papa to La Sagrada Familia

“Eto'o, Ibra y Cesc, los mayores peligros del Barça en octavos”

“La Font Màgica estrena la réplica de las cuatro columnas jónicas de Josep Puig i Cadafalch”

National News

“La Guardia Civil acusa a Marta Domínguez de suministrar productos dopantes”

Neighborhood

Epilogue

Roman City Field Trip

September 15, 2010

            Our first field trip to the old Roman city was truly a great experience. We got to go underground to see the old Roman city and it’s ruins. One of the first tips we learned is that drinking wine from a plastic cup is never a good thing and spoils the wine. It is best to drink it from a clay cup to get the full effect. One interesting fact is that they used their urine for stain remover when they washed their clothes, and their hands would be very roughed up from the washing. They would also use the urine for medicine because it killed germs and bugs. One major invention which was life- changing was the introduction of 2 aqueduct systems. The water would flow in and out and made everything much more efficient. This way, they could have clean water and they used the hot water to heat the houses. Another aspect of life was how they would catch fish in bulk and burry it in sand to dry it out. The salt kept the food, and this was one of their most important resources. Slavery was very important to the Romans. Bacus was the god of pleasure and orgies. When young boys were growing older, the older men, including fathers and uncles, would perform sexual acts on the boys as a way of teaching them and helping them get practice for women later on in life. It was not seen as anything homosexual or inappropriate, it was simply a way of life and instruction. 

Jewish District Fieldtrip

October 13, 2010

            I thoroughly enjoyed our field trip to the Jewish area and got to see and learn about a whole new area that was very interesting. It is a very beautiful area, with some very old buildings and architecture, as well as some newer additions. The old buildings are so beautiful and detailed, but unfortunately some of them were torn down and huge, very unflattering buildings were put up in its place. Many of the newer buildings are very plain and tasteless, and it is a shame that the older ones were demolished. The streets were small and extremely narrow, called “calle”, and the windows were progressive and were smaller at the top and got bigger as they got lower, or the opposite. The boundaries of the city are now different, and you can no longer see the ocean from the ends of them. Back when they used horses and carriages for transportation, signs were put up to direct which way you could enter and exit in order to avoid collision. We went by a school, courtyard and church with little children running around and playing soccer. There were many cute little shops and restaurants that we walked by which I definitely want to come back and visit, and I am very glad that I got to have this experience. 

El Born Fieldtrip

September 27, 2010

            For our third fieldtrip, we started off by the palace of music, a beautiful old theatre that is still in use today. From here we passed by a typical artisans workshop, as they go up they have decreasing windows. It was known that when people walked through the streets, girls would walk on the inside because people would throw their urine and waste out the window, and they would want to avoid it getting on the women. We walked by which used to be a monastery, but is now a market, with a curvy colorful rooftop. This building was rebuilt from the monastery times but the base was kept. Across the street from this was a newer, much uglier building that was done with no taste and lots of uniform windows. Another location of the Roman Ruins and the monastery remains, was known in the Middle Ages as the world of dreams. Each guild had its own sign outside the door which was made of iron. Then we headed to the stalk market for shepherds where we were in the Placa de la Llana, and here they established prices for wool. The windows on these buildings went from smaller to bigger in a descending order. One store called “Senegal” is owned by privileged people and you can tell this because there are 2 windows on the store, one in each corner. This was a sign of middle class people. The rich people left the dense area to go north. One project since the late 80’s was the renew buildings, which entailed buying an entire building and then reselling the flats. They would build furniture inside the house as well. On the main street, Carrer de la Princesa, buildings were demolished to widen the avenue, so when the Queen passed through she would not have to weave through the narrow streets. This main street is also a street that leads right down to the Picasso Museum.

Each guild had internships, and a minstrel was an official expert who would work three years with no salary to learn the trade. They would be paid with one pair of shoes per year, which was significant in those times. The trip ended with going to the courtyard where a middle class church was, along with the bricks overlaying tons of dead bodies. This church would be used for middle class weddings, and higher class weddings were held in the Catedral. 

Raval Fieldtrip

December 1, 2010

            Going through the Raval district was probably my favorite fieldtrip of them all. It was a whole new side of Barcelona that I wasn’t really comfortable venturing around in until then. It was so authentic and full of music and art, which I love. We ventured into the skate park and watched different groups of people, skate, watch or walk by. This area used to be dangerous and is now surrounded by churches and new modern building. Schools and hospitals were put in the area in order to make it more attractive for people to come visit here. We went over to the CCCB which is a modern structure and has the last sky line of city exhibition. It is also where the Asian film festival is location with electronic music playing throughout. We ran into a wall with “ravalejar” written on it and many different definitions. It literally means “to hang out,” and was ironic because as we looked around, we saw various groups of people just “hanging out” around the area. One of the coolest aspects of this area is that it is full of all different types of people. There are old, poor apartments right next to the new modern ones. There are many young, trendy youth living in the area because it is so close to the University which makes for a lot of art and expression all over the area. There are many representations and art that show the past, present and future of the district which displays is diversity. My favorite part of Raval is the house painted by the kids in which they inhabited for so long that the police no longer have the right to kick them out. The house is crazily painted and has three sets of eyes running up the center. There is also a sign that reads “this is not a tourist attraction.” The area used to be known for it’s fresh fish because it is so close to the port, and still contains one of the best restaurants for fish. I liked this area so much that I have been back multiple times and even bought my dad and brother’s Christmas presents from the percussion store we passed. 

La Merce Lightshow

September 25, 2010

I am so glad I was able to be in Barcelona for the La Merce festival that goes on once a year and to see the amazing things that go on for the weekend. I felt like a little kid again going from activity to activity and being so amused and entertained by the performances! One performance that really blew my mind was the lightshow held on the last night in Parc Ciutadella. I knew there was one going on, but I had no idea how amazing it would be, I never imagined something so cool! Everyone stood toward the entrance of the park, around where the gates are, and faced inward. The lightshow included colorful lights, a fog machine and some great music to perfectly accompany the ever- changing lights. The soundtrack went along just right with the lights, when the music was fast, the lights were going crazy in all directions and with all different colors. When the music was slower, the lights would creep up and down and build up for what was to come next. One of my favorite displays was when the lights would go in circular motion and make you feel like you were being sucked into an O zone layer. The fog around was perfect too because it really distinguished the lights and colors and blocked out the rest of reality. It went on for several minutes and played twice over and I definitely stayed for both shows. I have really never seen something like it or even something comparable and it really makes me think about how much time and effort went into coordinating the lights and music to make everything to great. All the families and kids and people really enjoyed it and I’m glad I got it on video because it’s something I will never forget. 

La Sagrada Familia

October 14, 2010

            One thing you absolutely cannot miss while in Barcelona is Gaudi’s most amazing work, La Sagrada Familia. Coming from a Catholic mother, I had heard much about this piece of work and the time and detail that has gone into it, but it is something you cannot fully understand or appreciate until you have actually experienced it. When I first saw La Sagrada Familia I was completely awestruck. With its vast towers reaching toward the sky to every last bit of detail, especially on the Nativity façade, to the view from the top looking down at all the people who look like little ants, I cannot decide which is more amazing. After getting a tour of the inside and out, I had a much better understanding and an undying appreciation for Gaudi’s work and how he thought out every single detail. I love nature, so to see this being applied to the entirety really stuck out to me. One of my favorite things is upon walking in, you feel like your in a forest with huge trees above and animals and life all around you, which was exactly his purpose. The diversity, from the Gothic style of the Nativity façade to the modern style of the Passion façade, has never been tested or done before, and he perfected it. Going up to the top was also a great experience and well worth the hour wait in line. It was really neat to look down the spiraling stairwell from the top and see spiral after spiral to really get a good feel for how high up we were. Another thing I really like about it is the use of color. Outside, there are very colorful fruit at the top of some of the smaller towers which really stand out, and inside there are stained- glass windows which really bring so much light and color into the main church. His mix of styles, detail, color, nature and, of course, the vastness of it all really make it a must- see in one’s lifetime, and I’m glad to have checked that one off!  

Christmas Market at La Sagrada Familia

December 7, 2010

            Since I live so close to La Sagrada Familia, I am lucky enough to pass by there and it’s surrounds on an almost daily basis. Sometimes living in such a touristy area is a little frustrating because of how crowded it gets,  but when the outside Christmas market opened up I was so excited! I saw them setting up for it for days and it was great to see the final market set up and in action. Although this definitely brings even more tourism to the area, there is such a Christmas spirit all around that it doesn’t bother me. The area is surrounded by little booth after booth of all sorts of Christmas décor and food around. People are selling mini Christmas trees, mistletoe and even cotton candy! One item that I see everywhere that I did not know about before is the Tió de Nadal, or “Tió” or even “Caga tió” which represents the “Christmas log.” This is a very traditional for Catalan at Christmas, and it is a character in Catalan mythology relating to a Christmas tradition widespread in Catalonia. It consists of a hollow log that stands on two or four sticks for feet and has a face painted with a happy smile, a pair of eyes, nose that usually sticks out and a little red cloth to cover it. The tradition is that starting on December 8, for the Immaculate Conception, one gives their tió a little bit to eat each night until Christmas Eve or Day and order it to “poop.” In order to get it to “poop” they beat it with a stick  while singing various songs. The tió usually drops candies, nuts and torrons (typically made of honey, sugar and white egg ) which are to be shared by all. This is such an interesting tradition and I have never heard of it or anything really like it before. I am glad I asked around and found out what it was because I really do see them everywhere now that people are getting ready for Christmas. Overall, the Christmas market is spectacular, especially with being able to look at Sagrada Familia at any given moment! 

FC Barcelona v Mallorca

October 3, 2010

            One really great experience that I was lucky enough to have was attending the FC Barcelona futbol match against Mallorca. We got to go with our CEA program, so it made it even better to have friends and peers around. Going to the game and seeing how enthusiastic and involved all of the fans were was truly an amazing thing. The love and dedication that the fans have for their team is unlike anything else I have seen before. People were packed into the stadium, all the way up to the very top row, and still cheering and as involved as ever. FC Barcelona team is more than just a game to the people of Catalonia, it is a representation of their identity and how proud they are of it. Even before they were champions of the World Cup, the native people of Catalonia had a great love and dedication to the team, especially during Franco’s time. The team represented their liberty and unwillingness to let Franco suppress them. It united Catalonian’s and spectators all the same to see such an amazing team perform. The game ended in a tie, which was a little disappointing but better than a loss! Most people stayed the entire time and there were masses of people leaving the stadium at the end. 

Parc de la Ciutadella

November 8, 2010

            Parc Citutadella is one of my favorite places on earth! There is absolutely no other place like it; nothing is comparable to the free- spirit and charm that this place has. It is the ideal place to take a book and a bottle of wine and just go chill out in the park by myself or with friends. Whether you are looking to eat, drink, smoke, chat, listen to music or simply people- watch, this place has it all. I love the diversity of the people and activities going on. Some people are by themselves thinking, reading or listening to their iPods, there are families having picnics with kids running around, couples making out everywhere and hippies playing music, tight- rope walking, juggling or doing other sorts of things. It is truly the best transformation from a military base converted into a place that is supposed to bring liberty and a sense of freedom, which is exactly what it does. The park is also very expansive which makes it the perfect place for me to go take a run. I usually never run back home, but for some reason I really enjoy putting on my iPod and running to and around Parc Ciutadella. I am so distracted by all the people and things going on that I don’t even realize im working out. There are also different sections of the park so there is always something new and fun to see. 

Moog

December 4, 2010

One of Barcelona’s main attractions, especially among the youth, is their unmatchable and outrageous nightlife. I am fortunate enough to have met a friend of a friend who is from Barcelona and just a year or two older than me and has shown me some of Barcelona’s best- kept secrets. The other night my friends and I were searching for something new and authentic to do at night beside the same old clubs on the beach, so I called my friend Albert. He took us to a dance club off La Rambla called “Moog” and it was one of the greatest nights of my life! As we turned right off of La Rambla, we headed into a little alleyway where the people started looking less touristy and more local. We heard the music bumping from outside and couldn’t wait to be dancing inside. The whole vibe of Moog was so different from anything I have seen before and I tried to take it all in. With the techno beats and house music downstairs, dance floor packing and strobe lights all over, it is by far one of my most favorite clubs in Barcelona and all of Europe. There is another level of dancing upstairs but it is smaller and the music is more pop, but still very cool.

The thing I liked most about Moog was the scene and type of people it drew in. The people, hairstyles and style altogether were so different especially from all of the trendy American clubs. It was a very casual dress place, which I also really liked and everyone was very friendly and loved to dance! They had some good drink specials going on which we definitely took advantage of. I am so glad I got to experience this type of club and with such local people as it really broadened my horizon on the whole Barcelona club scene. This is definitely one of the best cultural and real experiences I have had in Barcelona and Europe so far. 

La Champañería

Septemer 20, 2010

            One of my most favorite spots of all in Barcelona is the little hole- in- the- wall restaurant and hang out, Champañería. It is the kind of place you either have to know about ahead of time or be lucky enough to stumble upon it wandering through the little streets of Barceloneta. It is in a bit of an unusual location, but that does not put any damper on the atmosphere or charm. Upon arriving, you have to be lucky enough that there is even room to squeeze in. This little place is bustling with people; locals, tourists, the people working there who are constantly busy cooking, taking orders, or of course filling the champagne. One unique aspect about this place is the fact that there is no seating and everyone must stand and mingle. I think that this is one huge reason for its popularity and success, as it forces people to meet one another and hopefully strike up some good conversation. The food is delicious and cheap, along with the champagne. They serve anything from tapas of queso or chorizo, to cheeseburgers and wonderful chicken sandwiches. Everyone is always in good spirits, even amidst the cramming and being pressed up against one other, it is all in good manner. I have already been there multiple times and always take my friends who visit and my family as well. They loved it so much we went back two nights in a row! People recommended it to me before I even got to Europe and I will definitely do the same for anyone coming over here.

Tapa Tapa

October 28, 2010

Tapa Tapa

            Tapa Tapa has a reputation of being “the best tapas bar in Barcelona” which definitely says a lot about the place. It is located on one of the most prestigious and well- known streets of Barcelona, Passeig de Gracia. It is a large restaurant compared to most tapas bars in Barcelona, but that does not take away from its welcoming atmosphere and great food. There is the option of sitting inside, outside or at the tapas bar. I prefer to sit outside because I like to watch the people and all the commotion going on the street. There is a great variety of tapas to choose from, but my favorites are the garlic shrimp skewers and  teriyaki chicken. You really can’t go wrong ordering, as this place is known for their great taste and style. I live fairly close so it is a great excuse to get out and get some great tasting tapas! 

Cerveceria

August 31, 2010

            On my arrival day in Barcelona, my friend Jessie and I had not the slightest clue as where to go or eat around this big, foreign city. From the hotel we first stayed at, we were pointed in the direction of La Rambla and decided to go check out this street and area that we have heard so much about, yet we were not able to grasp it’s full concept until one sees it themselves. We got off the metro at Catalunya and started wondering to find some good, authentic Spanish or Catalan food. We were immediately greeted with the huge and bright “Burger Kind” and “McDonalds” signs, but were definitely not going to stop there! We started walking down La Rambla towards the beach, until we were stopped by a sweet old man ushering us into his restaurant called Cerveceria. This particular place is one of the first you see walking down the street on the right hand side. It almost looks like a little cave, as it is white from the outside and all wooden and aged on the inside, with the restaurant’s name in yellow, gothic- type print on the outside. He took us up to the tapas bar to choose which items we wanted to order. His English was limited, as is our Spanish, so we kind of played the guess and check game for a bit. We saw some things that looked very appetizing, such as fried shrimp, meatballs, patatas bravas and chicken. Not sure how the process of this really worked, he told us to point to some things that looked good and he would prepare our order. Within a few minutes little plate after little plate of tapas was being brought out to us, and all of it was so delicious. The old man was so sweet and sat down at the table with us trying to make conversation and constantly giving us kisses on the cheek. He finalized our meal by bringing out a complementary, double chocolate cake which was so good but almost too sweet! He was such a kind man and had such a big heart, and gave us his phone number incase we ever ran into trouble and needed his help in Barcelona. So far, I haven’t needed to use it but I’ve kept it this whole time and want to make another visit there before I leave. 

Local News: Pope visits La Sagrada Familia, Barcelona

November 8, 2010

El Periodico

            One huge local and international event that happens to take place locally in Barcelona was the visit of Pope Benedict XVI. He came to officially consecrate La Sagrada Familia into a basilica. Although La Sagrada Familia, designed by Antoni Gaudi, is not complete and won’t be for about 30 more years, it is still one of the most impressive and breath- taking churches ever built. For this reason, the Popa wanted to make a journey to visit and along the way stop at Santiago de Compostela as well. I happen to live just a few blocks from Sagrada Familia so this was something extra special for me, to see all the action and commotion going on. This really huge event is also a very controversial one. Many Catalan people protested the Popa coming to Barcelona because of the money that was put into making it all happen. The cost to the taxpayers was the main issue of the protest and got people very upset, as estimates were about 3.7 to 5 million euros that the state would spend on security and logistics for the Popa. Protestors were very upset that all that money would be spent on having the Popa come for just a day, instead of making the trip worthwhile or worth the money. However, El Periodico reported that the Barcelona Archbishopric had raised donations of 500,000 euros to fund the visit, which was much more than the state spending.  Not only were people upset about spending the state’s money, many groups such as gay and lesbian planned to kiss in front of the Popa to protest his anti- gay activism.

            Although there was much turmoil regarding these issues, from what I saw people were very supportive and excited to see such a dominant worldly figure take the time to recognize La Sagrada Familia’s beauty and Gaudi’s masterpiece. 

Local News:, “Eto'o, Ibra y Cesc, los mayores peligros del Barça en octavos”

December 9, 2010

La Vanguardia

            This recent article talks about the different European soccer teams and the threats they are to teams, or the hardships they have been through. The unexpected defeat of Inter Milan, who were the champions of the Champions League, will become an unexpected threat to Barca and Madrid. Benitez’s team, for the moment at least, has not been performing as expected. After a successful year prior, they have accumulated multiple injuries including Militio, Maicon, Julio Cesar and Chivu who have not been able to participate and play. Lyon is said to be an “awkward” opponent because they were runner- up to Schalke. Some leading players of the French team are Gourcuff and Pjanic, who performed great against Real Madrid the previous year. Another critical French opponent Marseille, who are coming back after a shakey season, pose to be a legitimate threat, especially with the success of Gourcuff and Pjanic who lead the team previously. There are multiple Italian teams which that pose threats as well, including Milan and Roma. Players like Ibrahimovic, Pato, Robinho and Ronaldinho are all strong leaders in their league.   Overall, it’s going to be a very competitive and exciting season with results having the possibility of going either way with different match- ups.

Local News: “La Font Màgica estrena la réplica de las cuatro columnas jónicas de Josep Puig i Cadafalch”

December 9, 2010

LaVanguardia

            The Magic Fountain is scheduled to open the replica of the four lonic columns Josep Puig on December 25, which is also the anniversary of the death of former president of the Generalitat, Francesc Macia. The replication of these four columns is already visible in Montjuic, which is right behind the Magic Fountain. This is one of the most photographed sights in Barcelona, and removing the scaffolding work will change it’s landscape and appearance. The next couple days and weeks are poignant to finishing the work, as things are trying to be finished by Christmas Day. The four columns are a Catalan symbol that replicate what was erected in 1919 and toppled the dictatorship of Miguel Primo de Rivera on the eve of the International Exhibition of 1929. For this reason, the installation of the columns is very important and marks and important time for Catalan people. Initially, the municipal government’s intention was the place the columns on one side, an option that also advocated and is still defended today. The Mayor Jordi Hereu finally accepted the ERC’s request for the four pillars of 18.7 meters less than the original one, and were placed very close to it’s location in the 20’s. This specific topic has spurred many other arguments and controversies, both for and against, regarding recovering history. There has been heated debate in terms of urban planning and rescue of historical memory. 

National News: El Pais, “La Guardia Civil acusa a Marta Domínguez de suministrar productos dopantes”

December 9, 2010

El Pais

In this partiucluar article, Marta Dominguez, an incon of Spanish women’s athletics,  along with 14 others were suspected and detained for being involved in issuing  illegal drugs. Dominguez is accused of supplying the products, and in addition to her are sports physicians, representatives, coaches and pharmacists. So far they have seized banned drugs, such as anabolic steroids, blood bags, extensive documentation and laboratory equipment. Civil guards carried out the operations early in the morning, which includes arrests and house searches in Alicante, Madrid, Segovia and Palencia Las Palmas. Dominguez was taken to the offices of the Guardia Civil and has testified. She is suspected of providing banned substances to other athletes.

The operation started last April when security forces began to track the movements of some people who may have been carrying out these drug practices. During the investigation, a monitoring device was placed on Eufemiano Fuentes and his sister, Yolanda. They drew up a plan of drug distribution after the athletes received their schedules. The police reports state that there was a large amount of anabolic steroids, hormones and various drugs that have been seized. Also, empty bags of blood, laboratory products and documents of the drug.

Marta Dominguez was the world champion 3,000- meter hurdles in Berlin in 2009, current Vice President of the Spanish Athletics Federation and nominated for the Prince of Asturias prize for sport in 2009 and 2010, and recently announced that she is pregnant and temporarily leaving athletics, but after giving birth will be back for the London 2012 Olympic Games. 

Neighborhood

La Sagrada Familia, Eixample District

            My apartment is located right on the corner of Carrer de Sicilia and D’ Aragon. It is right on the corner of one of the busiest streets in Barcelona, D’Aragon, so there is always traffic and plenty of cars and excitement. Our location is also just a few blocks away from La Sagrada Familia, which I love because I can just walk a few minutes to see this amazing masterpiece and we even have a little view of it from our balcony. My apartment complex consists of people of all ages, from young families to elder couples, however we seem to be the only students residing in the complex. The neighborhood overall is very safe and clean, and I never feel threatened when I am walking around.

            I love the location of my apartment, because it is relatively close to everything. It takes about 15 minutes to walk to school or La Rambla and the city centre, it is a short cab ride to the clubs on the beach and I can even walk to Razzmatazz. During the Christmas season, there is the Christmas market for La Sagrada Familia so it is really nice to have that so close to venture over to whenever I have a few spare minutes.

            I usually go to the Sorli Discua market just down the street, and the people there know us by name now (and which type of alcohol we like). There are many cute little restaurants and tapas bars all over, so there is always someplace new to try and eat.

            Overall, I really love my neighborhood and the surroundings. I feel like we are really lucky to have scored such a nice clean place in such a convenient and safe location. It is going to be a very weird experience when I come back to Barcelona and visit my apartment and think that I used to live here! 

Epilogue

My experience of Barcelona and Europe is one that I will absolutely never forget. It has been one of the greatest, most fun and best learning experiences I have ever had. This adventure has taught me so much about myself, other people and live in general. I have become a much more confident person and feel like I could conquer anything that comes my way. I have grown a great respect and patience for people of other cultures or for things that might not make sense to me at the time. I now realize that the way things are done in America does not mean that it is the only or best way of doing things. I have learned to really love and appreciate my family and friends and greatly value those relationships. I am also so thankful for my house and hometown, and all of the little things I would take for granted. It will be exciting to go back to the States with a whole new perspective and outlook on the world. I feel like my horizons have been expanded greatly and this journey has made me a better person.