CHAMPIONS!!

Topsy turvy as Edward is juggling the move to Premia de Mar, with work, Monica and soccer; all very important. While I have been cleaning, mudding, painting, and waiting to get wifi service. To top it off the TV is not working now either, normally I don’t mind that as long as I can get connected to find out what’s going on beyond my perimeter.

So I needed to focus on viewing the game. Lucky for me Tere lives in Premia de Mar, she had spent a summer with me back in 91, when I was living in Hermosa Beach. I had called her acouple of times before, just so she could help me get accuainted with the town. I had called her about something I had seen in a local paper for Sunday, and before I could say anything, she had already asked if I wanted to go see the game at her daughter’s school, as they were planning to place a large screen outside the school yard.

We met at her home, with Marta, Sofia and her daughter, and off to school we went, where they had been doing activities all day long, and getting geared up for the big match, the Champions League Final.

The first 20 minutes was hard to view, because there was still too much light out, but eventually it became very clear, and it was great to see on such a large screen, and more fun to share the excitement with a larger crowd.

Manchester United started the first ten minutes as if they were bulls, very strong. But they burned that energy quickly, and Barcelona, or as we call it here Barca, was able to take control and play their game, take control of the ball and not let the opposite team touch it.

Everyone jumped in excitement when Pedro scored the first goal, and we wre all pumped, looked like the second was close behind; and it was, only this time it was Rooney who scored for MU, the play had been offsides, but nevertheless a nice goal.

Barca continued to play their game, and in the second half came two more goals, first Messi and then Villa. A great game, and victory, followed by fireworks, honking, singing for the next few hours.

That thing that I had called Tere about, I saw in the paper that they were country line dancing in the Placa de la Sardana, Sunday from 12pm to 2pm. So here I am, line dancing in Premia de Mar. It just amazes me that I couldn’t find a place in Marin. I had done classes and had brought friends with me when I lived in Hermosa Beach, and it was fun and great exercise.

And just one more thing I wanted to share, as one of my friends here, Maite, share a 360 photo of the Placa de Catalunya link; unfortunetly I wasn't able to follow up this weekend, last I saw was all the other cities, like Madrid, wher every person was armed with a flower as a weapon in support of "indignats" in Plaça de Catalunya.

SPANISH REVOLUTION

one way to fight the system is to not consume
that what they lead us to believe is necessary
to be better, more beautiful or more masculine

FRIDAY 26
chalkboard with scheduled events

So, yesterday I went to the local library in order to use their wifi and post another blog with cool photos; and as I was waiting for them to upload, I began to scan over my long list of emails, looking for any personal ones, friends and family. I came across one from our dear friend Deborah (Mack and Stella’s Mom), I was surprised because I don’t get many, and when I do, usually a one-liner, because as you know, and we have a saying in spanish “en casa del herrero, cuchara de palo”, translates to : in the blacksmith’s home, wooden spoon; so as a professional writer, she does not have time to write.

Anyhow, this one read: what’s going on in Spain? with the attached link..http://acampadabcn.wordpress.com/

education is a right, not a business

For those of you who read “alternate” news sources, you may have come across this Spanish Revolution that began on May 15, and is ongoing, and from the looks of things is not leaving anytime soon.

no cut is negociable

I was curious myself, so later in the day, after I left my English students at the Port Olympic, I made my way to Placa Catalunya to see for myself, and since I had a half hour to spare before getting on my 9.30pm bus to Premia de Mar (and letting Wilbur out to pi), I walked around in amazement of this new settlement. It was very well organized chaos; at first I was reading all the different signs, that pretty much cover everything, from politics and corruption, education and enviroment, health and human rights, you name it. 

Politicians and Bankers
Money thieves

Artur Scissorhands
Artur Mas is the President of the Generalitat (like the Goverator)

center camp

thinking of The Earth

There are large chalkboards with scheduled lectures, forums and discussions all day long and everyday. There are tents to protect from sun, actually the tented area reminded me of Burning Man’s Center Camp. They have even converted the surrounding grass areas into food gardens.

"V" for Vendetta

And the sculptures were wearing “V” masks (as in V for Vendetta)

Permaculture

Unfortunately though I only had my old iPhone with me to takes pictures, so they are not good, and it was already getting dark, but I will translate in photo captions some of the signs, as they are most of them written in Catalan, so even those of you who understand Spanish, may have some difficulties. 

top sign : where is the left?
down the hall and to the right
lower sign:no to cuts, public university for all

And keep in mind this is not just here in Placa Catalunya, it is in most spanish cities, even smaller ones like Mataro, and even in some towns. You will see signs posting some needs, like blankets, water and food. The people are here to stay, and it’s powerful, I feel proud and I may even join them once I finish painting here. Stay tuned.

it is best to live one day as a lion
than 1000 as a donkey

POWER TO THE PEOPLE!

HOLY SHIT!!!

Ok, so after writing the above this morning, I went to the library to post it, but the library was closed. Around 2pm, Edward and David show up, and ask me if I have seen the news. And this is what we are watching...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Geg_6Xoy04s

have we suddenly woken up in Libya this morning?

if you fight you may loose
if you don't fight you already lost

And the most surreal part of this is the motive the government is giving us, what the few tv stations are commenting on, is the fact they they need the town squares to be free of "indignats" people in order to allow the space for the people that will come to celebrate the victory of Manchester United vs FC Barcelona tomorrow night…and suddenly I'm reminded of Lewis Black shaking his head in disbelief!

free and quality public education 

Remember I told you a while back about soccer being very big, but this is bullshit, and people are mad as hell that they would use that excuse. they had talked about removing the people on the weekend before the elections, as they lied about it being a political influence that could jeopardize the outcome. That was last weekend. And now this? progressives are soccer fans too! how dare they!

This may very well blow up in their faces.

BAIX EMPORDA…with camera

do you remember a couple of months ago, I mentioned going somewhere spectacular and not being able to use my camara?

well, I went again, and I went 3 weeks ago, with Carme and Alicia, plus our furry companions Wilbur and Nala; but this time I did have my camara, and while the battery died the following day, I had plenty of pictures to give you a taste.

Now these are all towns in proximity to La Bisbal, which is a city known for its many ceramics, and we headed there first, in order to stop at the large supermarket and load up for the weekend. On the way out we noticed one of the ceramic studios was having a demonstration, and had some food and drinks out, so we stopped, mainly for the free food, which turned out to be very nice, but the demo was cool and informative too. I had no idea that they use thick rope to make the larger ceramic pots, and I wondered if Jordi knew, I bet he would have liked to see this.

Twilight by the time we left La Bisbal and headed for Casavells, so we hurried to unload the car, so we could go for a walk before preparing our dinner. Later Francesc, one of Carme’s boyfriends came over with some wine, and helped with the preparation. After dinner we played a game that we call “mentider” which translates to “liar”; played with poker dice.

Corçà

After breakfast the next morning Alicia and I walked over to the next town, Corçà, roaming around a few farms and stables on the way.

Carme, who had stayed behind with Francesc before he had to leave to work, came to pick us up in her car later so we could al go visit a couple more towns.

My favorite spot in this town is this restaurant named Raku, I wanted you all to see the interior, as there’s a few separate spaces that are so warm and relaxing, I just loved it.

Madremanya

Just entering the town a beautiful hotel and restaurant named La Placa, with it’s own vegetable garden. I felt like I was in heaven, wouldn’t it be great to work here. We roamed around a bit, but they were getting ready for a wedding reception and seemed pretty busy.

We went on with our tour of the town, people were pouring out of the church after mass; the rest of the streets were nice and quiet.

I watched Carme open a door, which by the way, I’m planning a “door special”, as I have gathered a nice collection, so that will be coming soon; anyway, I saw Alicia follow her through the same door, I thought perhaps they knew someone here, and I followed, and to my surprise, it wasn’t anyone’s home, but the local cemetery, mostly ninches, which are like condos for the dead, so they keep each other company while they ponder what’s next.

Not a bad place to end up.

Some of these homes are dated in the 1700’s, so it’s not surprizing to find old wells like this one, and some like this one are still functional.

Peratallada

Our next stop is a bit more popular as far as visitors, and you can see why, no less charming than the previous ones, just more to enjoy. One of the local “xarcuteries”, the name for a grocer that specializes in pork and cheese, had a very temting table of samples outside, in my opinion very smart too, because once you test his samples it was simply impossible for me to walk away empty handed. 

We sat down in the main square on the terrace of one of the local bars to have a cold drink. Carme wanted me to see the ceiling of the bar next door before leaving, with all the little birdies.

I hope you all enjoy looking at these pictures as much as I like taking them.