Barcelona: Random European Weekend Trip #2

I have to say that Barcelona may just be my favourite city and the most likely European non-English speaking city I would choose to live in. I could easily have stayed long-term in one of those airy and spacious flats like the one we spent two nights in, happily sipping my morning cafe con leche overlooking the busy street below. I would wander those narrow alleys in the Gothic Quarter, stroll the beach, swim year round in the Mediterranean Sea (wetsuit clad in winter, of course), and visit the colourful market daily.

I don't know what it is about Spanish language and culture, but I really feel at home in it. Barcelona was everything I love about Mexico and Europe united. It is the best of both for me. Modernity mixed with history, both convenience and colourful culture.

Though my Spanish was understood for the most part, it was harder for me to communicate since they don't actually speak Spanish in Barcelona. Catalan seemed to be a French influenced Spanish-like language.

Compare these phrases:

English Catalan Spanish French
Who is it? Qui es? Que es? Qui est-ce?
What did you say? Que ha dit? Que dijo? Qu'est-ce que tu as dit?
I agree D'acord Acuerdo D'accord

Knowing both French and Spanish enabled me to understand some written Catalan, but it was impossible to keep up with their lispy r-rolling quick-flicking tongues.

We were fortunate to have made a couch surfing connection for our first night. Our host, Santi, picked us up at Girona airport and drove us to his town, Sant Celoni (half way between Girona and Barcelona). We started the evening following a parade of devils with pitch forks spouting fireworks. It was Ash Wednesday and the end of Carnival. After the parade we were given a tour of the town and saw their stunning church before settling in for a community dinner.

For 8 Euros we were able to partake of a fabulous Catalunyan meal: salad with tuna and olives, grilled sardines, and 'pa amb tomaquet', which is basically bread smeared with tomato and garlic and drizzled in olive oil. Dessert was a plate of mixed nuts, raisins and figs. The wine flowed freely, the atmosphere very lively (and a bit smoky), and after we ate a man and his guitar serenaded us all with camp fire songs including kumbaya and My Bonny. Everyone sang along, laughed, talked and drank until heading home peacefully around midnight. One of the highlights of the evening was what could only be referred to as a bizarre round of musical chairs ... with wine. A carafe fitted with a fountain-esque spout was passed around the room, stopping at random individuals. The point of the game was to start drinking when the music starts, and stop when the music stops. Check it out for yourself:



We took the train in to Barcelona the next day and spent two full days exploring the fabulous city and many of Gaudi's famous sites including La Sagrada Familia, la Pedrera, and Park Guell. We sampled various tapas, including patatas bravas, grilled peppers, and clams, along with paella, gazpacho, and fresh mango and coconut from the market and my new favourite cheese: manchego.

I dipped my feet for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea, wandered between palm trees, and walked and walked and walked trying to keep up with Dan's tireless long legs.

Though our last morning we were in a bit of a panic and almost missed our flight, the trip was wonderful overall and we hope to return again to beautiful Barcelona.

Pictures are here, and below is a small video of our new favourite buskers.