Sant Jordi, April 23rd

Which this year fell right in the middle of Easter Holiday too. So, a lot going on in the big city, between the parents buying palmas and palmons for kids and godfathers trying to find the right “Mona de Pascua” (traditional chocolate elaboration in many shapes and sizes) for their godchild, which is shared on Easter Monday, and the book fairs with authors signing everywhere, and the many roses being sold, real roses, or  greener versions made of recycled paper or other, and the dragons of all sizes too.

I have yet never understood the calender for Easter, Quaresme and such, but I do enjoy the “bunyols de quaresme”, and I guess it’s a good thing that they are only made for this occasion; otherwise I would have to battle more yummy treats going into my mouth.

There are many versions of St George all over Europe, however no one celebrates it quite like the Catalan people do; even if it’s not an “official holiday”. Y’all know the story more or less, a legend that varies slightly, in our version, it was a Roman soldier that was told by God Almighty to go help these people of a small town, who were sacrificing young girls by lotery to a hungry dragon. It came to the King’s daughter’s turn, and while many offered to take her place, her father would not allow it; so off she went to meet her end. But Sant Jordi (catalan for St George) intervened, saved the Princess, and from the dragon’s blood a rose bush emerged, and he took a rose and gave it to her. The King offered his daughter’s hand in gratitude, but he declined as he stated that God asked him to do it.

The news travelled to the Roman Emperor, who had him killed for acting in God’s name. Sant Jordi died April 23, 303.

Book sculpture

Back in 1930, the International Book Fair, which honors the death of Miguel de Cervantes (Don Quijote) in Barcelona, has continued it’s tradition coincidentally on the day of Sant Jordi, so it became custom for every man to offer a rose to a woman, be it wife, mother, daughter, friend, etc; while the women would present a man with a book, again it could be husband, son, father, teacher, etc.

Now if you have had the privelege of being escorted by my uncle Victor, the most unusual of tour guides, you already know not to miss the chance; not only does he know and love this city, but he will inform you of the most random and offbeat information, that not even the local professional tour guides have ever heard of. So needless to say, when he asked us to go for a walk on Saturday morning, it was a treat.

crema catalana

Boqueria organic stand

Granja Pallares 1947

We went right to the heart of the city, Barri Gotic, Ramblas and the Boqueria. The crowds were huge, we all walked like penguins, travelling at old pc speed. Usually Jordi and myself would have fainted, simply at the thought of this, but remember this was a special occassion, and Victor wanted to treat us to a very special breakfast, even if it was noon by the time we reached the Granja at carrer Petrixol, his favorite spot, which was also my grandfather’s favorite spot. Although Victor says, because of cholesterol, he only comes here once a year, I think he may sneak another in, maybe in the fall. Victor and I ordered a “suis amb xurros” (the swiss is the hot thick chocolate with natural whip cream) while Jordi had a crema catana amb ensaimada (crema catalana was later interpreted by the french as creme brulee, and the ensaimada is a traditional pastry from the island of Mallorca.

Cod fish stand

Pernils (Ham stand)

The Boqueria is one of many fresh food markets the city has to offer, but it’s location, right in the middle of the Ramblas makes it a primary tourist attraction. Now, you wouldn;t think of a food market to be a big deal, until you actually see it. You can find local and exotic foods, the colors and smells are unique, and the sides of it are surrounded with bars offering tapas and all kinds of fabulous edibles. So here are a bunch of pics, remember to double click if you want to enlarge.

Arengades (Salted Sardines)

Veggies

We made it on time, 3pm for lunch, which Mari had prepared for us. Jordi did not like mussles when he arrived, but between Mari and Pol (Esther and Sol’s father) he has changed his mind, he ate more mussles than anyone else at the table.

anticipation

It takes a good hour to reach the Camp Nou from Victor and Mari’s place, and we made it just in time to meet up with Sol and Esther; this was not something you want to be late for. Jordi had been looking forward to this way before he got here, even if the game was against Osasuna. Esther and myself found a bar to watch the game directly across from the entrance that Sol and Jordi took. We realized after a goal was made, that the broadcast was 2 seconds delayed, as we heard the goal before we actually saw it.

Sol and Jordi @ Camp Nou

Jordi was beside himself before, during and after the game; not only did he go to Camp Nou, and watch FCBarcelona win the match, but he got to do all this in company of a beautiful girl. A perfect end to a perfect day.

Madrid-0 / Barca-2

I know I want to live outside the city, however last night I was reminded of one of the bright sides of the urban lifestyle, as I walked home (Belen’s home) from having watched the Champions semi-final between Madrid and Barcelona. The joy of the resulting score, and seeing Mourinho’s face contort was only intensified and prolongued by the sharing the experience with several thousand others. When we exited Edward’s building, and just a few steps away, we were greeted with hugs and smiles from a couple of Pericos or Periquitos, which is the name for the Espanyol team, the other pro soccer club in Barcelona, not that they enjoy cheering for FCB, but as a co-Catalan team, they will celebrate too. I’ve been told by several fans, Pericos and Cules (the name of the FCB fan) that during the World Cup, these fans would cheer for FCBarcelona, rather than Spain, as 9 of the 11 players were in fact from FCB, because politics from Madrid have had they’re way for so many decades. Besides, to quote Pep Guardiola in the press conference the day before, lets not forget Mourinho’s Madrid has bought all the big names in soccer, Ozil, Di Maria, Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo, Adebayor, Lasa, Carvalho, Benzema, Higuain; while “we” are going out with 9 of the Cantera boys, meaning the home grown talent, that includes Messi, although Argentenian, he came to FCB youth camp at very young age.

The highlight for me and for the player of course, was when at the last minute of the game, Pep subs one of his players for a boy from the youth camp, that was a slap in the face to an obnoxious and arrogant Mourinho.

All the way home, 40 minutes walk, the traffic kept honking, I could have easily gone to Canaletes, which is the spot to go to for everyone after such a victory, and on my way, but Wilbur was awfully nervous from so much comotion, he actually hides under the table while we watch the match, he doesn’t understand our behaviour.

Now, this was only the first half of this semifinal, the one played at Bernabeu, which made it even more exciting, to win the giant, the tremendous talent on their own turf; next week we play here at home, then win or loose, the final against Manchester United, but for the “Cule”, this was the game of all games, to understand this you would have to have heard all of Mourinho’s previous press conferences, and after his words last night, there was talk about sanctions to him by UEFA, something else to look forward to.

More of a bittersweet event earlier the same day, Jordi returned home, I have not spoken to him yet, but I checked his flights back, all on time, which means he’s sleeping with Mowgli right now. Wish I could have celebrated the victory with him, probably try to skype him later today.

Adelina arrived here also, last Sunday night, she’s staying with Victor and Mari, so Jordi was able to see her before leaving, we all had lunch on Tuesday. A few days before coming, she had been stressing out, battling with her laptop, she took that stress with her, and combined with the air pressure on board made for a bad mix and here eye, the one with the recent cataract surgery went balistic, so she went to the emergency room, a few eye drops and ointment worked wonders and back onto the recovery track.

During lunch, we had a bit of a family Pow Wow, as y’all know, my head has been spinning, trying to make the decision, stay here for a year or quit and go back...somewhere. Anyhow, both Victor and Edward have been hoping for me to stay, Albert told Jordi that he would watch over me, and Alicia was waiting for me to take the plunge, so we can get a place with a bit of a garden to share. So yeah, the decision, good or bad, is I will stay here for a year, and then...we’ll see what happens.

I hope to have settled then by June 1st, and then you can feel free to come visit. Speaking of, we saw Lygia and Clara the night before Jordi left, that was nice, although I was hoping to eat at Rekons with them, but forgot that they are closed on Tuesdays. I believe Leah is around here now too, but she hasn’t contacted me yet, but I’ll keep you guys posted.

I have lot’s more coming soon, all stuff that we did with Jordi, so I need to back track a bit, but I have to go to lunch now, I have people waiting.

arc de triumf

arc de triumf

Not only have I been showing Jordi around the town, but he also helped me move again. Yes, I know what y’all must be thinking, and I’m the first to be tired of trying to find the right place to settle down. Horta was a nice neighborhood, and Laura was great, but things change fast, particularly when you’re young; and that’s what happened, a new boyfriend moved in, and it just got increasingly more difficult and way too much drama.

I have temporarily sought refuge at Belen’s home, although she’s very stressed with family matters and work, so unfortunately I need to find an alternative eventually.

In the meantime I continue with my english classes and enjoying Jordi’s company for as long as I can.

Last Wednesday, we went to Premia with Edward. After a light lunch “menu del dia” at the beach, we took Wilbur for a stroll.

And later that evening we met up with Edward, Monica, David and Juanjo to go watch another soccer match, which we won…again.

l'auditor

Jordi went to the "Auditori" with Victor to take in some Beethoven.

“El Poble Espanyol” is were we ended up on Friday, after entering the Caixa Forum, for some reason we both got very dizzy in entering the building, Jordi was particularly naucious, so we needed to be outside and find some food, and this was the closest place that offered both. This is a very large museum, that was originally built for a short time; it is a collection of replicas of buildings, plazas, patios, doorways, etc from all over the country.

It became a center for crafts people, glass blowers, artizans, and sculpture displays.

Later, that afternoon we met Victor and Mari to go to the Medieval Fair, in their neighborhood, the stands of artisan meats, breads, beers, candies, herbs.

San Pol

Saturday, Albert and Mar picked us up to go to San Pol, where his parents Joan and Carmen live, a beach town just under an hour north. When we arrived I walked Jordi downtown to show him around and let him soak his legs in the Mediterranean to heal his psoriasis. And hurry back for a delicious food fest; Carmen was very pleased to see Jordi loved her food, as she had some dificulties with him when he was a boy. Siesta time spot was wherever the sun is shining, in this case it happened to be the driveway.

drive way at San Pol

We spent most of Sunday walking all around the Ciutadella Park, as their was a large Earth Day celebration, with many alternative energy, medicine, herbs, organic food stands and much more. A bike operated merry-go-round of recycled materials. The tree man. I even atended a lecture at my old highschool, my first classroom at that school.

On Monday we visited the Casa Mila, best known as “La Pedrera”, one hour wait to get in, and walked up the winding stairs to the roof top with all the chimeney flues that were meant to look like soldiers. You know Gaudi’s work was rather unique, part of the Modernist movement around the turn of the century, the building is organic in nature, the interior below the rooftop is like a boa skeleton.

the wait is over

Most of you already know I have been waiting for this moment to arrive, and it did. As usual it always seems like it takes forever, and then when the time comes you're never quite prepared, wishing you had done this or that. Anyway, Jordi arrived Wednesday at 3.15pm.


Edward had asked me a while back if he could come with me to the airport to pick him up, but first I had to check in with Victor, the "official airport transportista" to sign the release papers.


When we got to the airport, Edward insisted on parking on the second level because it is a straight shot to walk to arrivals without having to drag your bags around more, however this level only had a few empty spots, as they are indicated with green lights, but we couldn't find them, so he decided it would be ok to park in a handicap zone, which there were many and they were all empty, but still you can end up with a serious fine. Once we got to the gate area, while I waited, he went to move the car. So, when we finally came back to the car, we found ourselves in a Seinfeld episode "the parking garage". It was hilarious, and 20 minutes later Edward showed up with his car.

okupa building

Later that evening we had all planned to get together at Edward's to watch "the game", which Barcelona won 5-1. First we met Juanjo and went to Rekons, where these Argentineans make delicious bocatas (sandwiches). Across the street is one of the "okupa buildings", okupa is the word here used for squatters, although because this is a current trend, while some people squat for need, this particular building and a few others are actually rich kids doing whatever they want…big surprise. Edward and David showed up two minutes later, and Sol stopped by to say hello on her way home from work; and Monica joined us when we got to Edward's. During the halftime, they surprised me with cake and candles (did I forget to mention that Jordi arrived on my birthday?).

birthday cake

Although by the end of the game Jordi was zombie-ing around, as he had a very long and uncomfortable trip; on the first segment, from Reno to Denver, turbulence was so bad that everyone on the flight had to use the blue vomit baggies. The rest was simply a lack of leg room.

In the morning we went to the park to take Wilbur for a walk. And later we were going to take to metros and one tram to get to Victor and Mari's for lunch, as she made a delicious fideua. But first we went to meet Georgina at the plaza Eivisa for "aperitiu". Gina is Neus' younger sister, who had come to visit us 12 years ago, and had spent some time with Jordi and also Stephanie, another friend of Jordi's who happened to be visiting us at the same time. We were both very impressed to see she has turned out to be a wonderful person.

institut verdaguer/my high school

After lunch, Victor took us on one of his walking tours of the "old city". First we walked through the "ciutadella" which is a large park, which contains, the city zoo, my old high school, the parliament building, and a few others. 

large catalan sheep dog 

park green house

As we exit the park, across the street is the Borne neighborhood, a part of the old city, where we come to see the "chocolate museum", see the hot chocolate fountain just inside…yum.

chocolate fountain

Behind this building is the bakery school.

bakery school

Victor's 90's home

Victor showed us one of the old apartments that he used to live in the early 90's. The street entry now has an intercom, but it use the have a string with a bell, like many others, to notify the neighbors someone was there, so all the neighbors would here the bell and all would step onto the little balconies to see if it was someone they knew, and then they would pull another string to open that door, and if you didn't have one, you would have to walk downstairs to let them in.

roman wall

We Also went to show Jordi some parts of the Roman walls, which was back in the day when the city was named Barcino by the romans, well over 2000 years old.

roman columns

When I saw this rose petal dress, I can't help to think about Linda and her party attire; my mom use to have some pretty wild dresses too. Although I don't think this dress would actually survive a party, this is one of many little design stores in the old city, the best part of any of these little stores, restaurants, hotels, or bars is the interior space have actual old roman walls.

plaza del rey

Victor explaining some history here to Jordi.

We also came across the Picasso museum, although we didn't go to see the exhibit, you can walk thru the exterior part were they have been expanding.

Picasso museum

Picasso museum

lot's more to come, but I must leave now