Cheryl and Adelina

I know, I know, sorry for taking so long, I’ve been busy lately helping Edward cleaning and painting the old apartment, and my wifi access here has been limited, sometimes I go to the library, but I can’t skype there, because of the silence.

So I have a lot of backed up material, still haven’t finished with Jordi’s stuff when he was here, but I think I will show you a bit of Tossa de Mar “again”, because it is beautiful and also because it’s pretty recent, and a way to show the pictures to Adelina and Cheryl, who are already back home now,  Adelina in Squamish, BC and Cheryl in Manchester, UK.

So, ladies, as you can see by the title of this blog, this one is for you. A wee bit of history, these women met and became freinds when my mother lived in the Bahamas, mid 60’s to mid 70’s, actually Cheryl stayed there a few more years, and my mother would go visit around xmas time for a while. Later in the early 80’s they worked together again, as Cheryl helped start American Leisure, the tour operating business in San Francisco. By the time Adelina moved to San Francisco, Cheryl , originally from Minesota moved on to many new things, England, Phil and British Airways. The latter has given her the opportunity to travel around the world. So they usually meet up here every year and take short trips to diverse spanish towns, cities or nature.

Now in a previous blog I talked about the rivalry between Madrid and Barcelona when it comes to soccer, which is the most talked about subject of all, and for those of you who don’t follow, we eliminated Madrid, and the final of Champions League is next week against Manchester United. But many Manchester people may very well be wearing Barcelona T-shirts, as like Cheryl are big fans of Manchester City and absolutely hate Manchester United. So keep that in mind if you happen to be watching.

This time around they took a train to Peniscola, which is a lovely town, but I didn’t go.

After they got back, Victor took us all to Tossa de Mar again,  so Cheryl could visit the art gallery and the town. By the time we got there, visited the Gallery, chatted with Joan and had a coffee, it was already time for lunch. So we did that, and later went to walk around the castle.

Let the pictures speak for themselves, and let me point out how clear the water is in these parts. And this time Mrs Seagull had a new trainee with her.

One more tib bit before I go, as I think much of you dog lovers will appreciate, particularly those who have a problem with using toxicity in products such as Frontline or the other popular brand that I can’t think of right now; as I haven’t used anything since I got here.

So last night as I was petting Wilbur behind his ears, I found a huge icky tick, which I thought was just a bunch of matted fur. As I was getting up to find a tissue to pull it off, Edward said “no”, just apply a bit of olive oil and it will fall off. So, as ansie as I was to remove it, I followed his instructions, and this morning it was gone. Only problem, with these terrazzo floors, I have not been able to find it. But there you go, one more use for olive oil, and no risk of pain to the pooch.

Victor Mateo

Victor had left with his van loaded with paintings early last Friday morning to the gallery in Tossa de Mar, to have enough time to unload and arrange the hanging for the exhibit, and then drive back to Blanes to pick up Mari and Adelina at the train station.

I think that the fact that the train doesn’t reach Tossa is probably the reason it remains a charming town, and had not been overbuilt like many of the beach towns. Some people refer to it as the Southern Cadaques.

Edward and I drove up Saturday, not to early, as I had gone out for dinner with Leah on Friday, and Edward, well he was out that night too.

Leah was staying at a small hostel in the Ramblas, and was overwhelmed with the changes this city has been through. She wanted to eat something typical, and I suggested a Catalan restaurant by the Passeig de Gracia; we shared a “trinxat” and a salad, she had cod fish “a la llauna” and I had galtes, and we also shared a crema catalana for desert. We parted ways in the middle of Placa Catalunya.

Edward and I arrived in Tossa around 2pm, and after an hour searching for our family members, we decided to have lunch, and we discovered “sim i tomba”, a traditional dish from this quaint town. The fishermen would place a few potatoes, tomatoes and peppers onto the pan, then toss whatever fish they had caught on top, flip it, and it’s ready to eat, simple and yummy.

A siesta at the beach sounded like a great idea, and although we did get to enjoy about 45 minutes, while Wilbur was chasing a large kite, we were asked to leave quite nicely, as it turns out you’re not supposed to have dogs on the beach after April 1st. As a matter of fact, I met Susanna today, a german woman who’s been here for 30 years, while she was wlaking her dog in the park, and we talked for a couple of hours; and she mentioned that a while back there was a case in Tarragona that was in the news; she took her dog to the beach as it was a rainy day and there was nobody there, but the guardia urbana saw her and gave her a ticket for 500 euros.

After we left the beach we found a large arcade, played a game of pool and pinball, then took another walk, saw some roman ruins, and hiked up the castle walls.

At 7.30pm we went back to Joan Planelles Gallery, and this time the gang was there, Victor, Mari, Adelina, Henry, Maria, Robert, and some of Victor’s friends. Henry is Edward’s older brother, and Maria is his wife, Robert their son whom I had never met before, because I had not seen them for 28 years. Time just flies, doesn’t it?

Ava Gardner forever watching the sea from the castle in Tossa, after having spent some time I was told on a film shoot.

Dali Museum

I already started to backtrack on my last blog, since I was too busy to write while Jordi was here, and too excited after the soccer game to write in cronological order. So keeping that in mind...

Last Monday was Easter Monday, Juanjo had the day off from work, and he offered to take us somewhere, out of the big city in his car. All I had to do was tell him where to go. So many options, but any of the places could have been a good choice. We started towards Ripoll, mostly because Juanjo was convinced that was the path to Rupit, it wasn’t, but we ultimately got there.

Ripoll

Ripoll has a popular old church, just over 1000 years old. We did not go inside because there was a fee, and I just don’t think one should have to pay to enter a church.  

the road to Rupit

Rupit

Rupit

                                         Rupit is a lovely old town in a very lush green spot on the road between Vich and Olot. I came here to camp with friends in my early twenties, back when tourists only went to beach towns to soak in the sun. But these days tourism, whether foreign or local is everywhere, and this town has it’s share, but still mostly local.

Rupit

Rupit

Rupit

Figueres

After we head out towards Figueras, a small city with lots of charm, but our main focus here, was to visit Salvador Dali’s Museum. I had seen it once before and I remembered it because it was so unique, just the way the art is displayed is art in itself, and the building is awesome, the light amazing, the experience mind blowing.

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.