Life in Barcelona

Do you dare try it? If you are lucky and your time in Barcelona coincides with the winter/spring months, then you may have heard of, seen, smelt or perhaps already tasted the “CALÇOTS”. The Calçotada is one of the strangest, messiest, most satisfying, yet medieval-seeming gastronomic experiences in the whole of Spain, or perhaps in Europe! In keeping with my last post on sensational Spanish dietary habits, such as diving into buckets of olive oil and concocting amazing egg omelettes, I think it is a highly appropriate moment to also mention the succulent, tender, barbequed, sauce-covered, sweet spring onion shoots that stimulate the Spanish taste buds and give the rest of us something to only dream of trying! Try and suggest a ‘leek grilling party’ in your home country, amongst your friends and see how many people turn up!? Do the same in Spain and you will have your friends, their friends and the whole population of your street banging on your door, with an accompanying bottle of ‘vino tinto’ in their arms! (more…)

Tags: calçots, fiesta+del+calçot, calçotada, calçots+in+barcelona, catalan+cuisine,

Every year on January 5th, in cities and towns throughout Spain, the King’s parade (La Calbagata de los Reyes Magos) takes place.

In Barcelona, this parade is a particularly grand affair involving lots of people, fireworks, confetti and best of all sweets!

The three kings (Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar) arrive by boat at Barcelona’s port and greet their thousands of fans. They then take their seats in fantastically decorated carriages and begin their long procession through the streets and avenues of Barcelona.

The streets are lined with literally thousands of people wanting to catch a glimpse of the brilliant costumes. The kings throw sweets to the children, and there are hundreds of people in fancy dress, musicians and dancers.

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Tags: barcelona+king's+parade, spanish+parade, king's+procession+barcelona, barcelona+event

As you should already know, Barcelona is a city that never stops! Now, we’re still celebrating Christmas and New Year…but at the same time, we’re looking for the next big party: THE CARNIVAL!!

In Barcelona, this party is very popular and most of the people celebrate it with a lot of enthusiasm. There are many places to go, for example, Gracia, Eixample or the Gothic quarter, are places where you should go. However, if you are planning to have a crazy crazy carnival party, you should go to Sitges! No doubt! This town located around 40 km south from Barcelona is known because of its amazing carnival party (Sitges is also known for many other things…). If you go there for these dates, you will find the town crowded of people dressed up in fancy dress, dancing and drinking in the streets and in the clubs and enjoying the atmosphere. You cannot imagine how massive this party is!!! People go crazy dancing and drinking while they follow the parade. (more…)

Tags: Carnival+in+Barcelona, Sitges, Carnival+party, Carnival+in+Sitges, Carnival+in+Cataluña, Carnival+in+February

Hi everybody!!

This time, I’m not going to write about places to visit close to Barcelona. The new year is quickly arriving and we have to start planning what to do on December 31st!!

Firstly, Barcelona is a very nice place to stay in the last night of the year and for Christmas in general. The city looks very beautiful with all the lights, the Christmas markets, all the shops full of people buying presents, etc.

Usually, Spanish families have dinner together at their home or in a restaurant. The dinner is usually very special and involves a lot of work. After the dinner, all the families get prepared for one of the most characteristic aspects of Christmas in Barcelona: the grapes!! In Spain, we celebrate the New Year eating 12 grapes during the last 12 seconds of the year. It is funny because it is very difficult to eat 12 grapes in only 12 seconds…so the normal image is seeing people around you laughing and laughing. In fact, I think I’ve never finished the 12 grapes…and I’m 24!!

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Tags: grapes, christmas+in+barcelona, parties, new+year+in+barcelona

Strange Christmas traditions in Barcelona….the: CAGA TÍO!

Christmas time in Barcelona is wonderful, the weather is warm enough to take your time walking around the city, the city is full of Christmas lights and decorations,  and the Ramblas is always animated with street artists…there is a very good atmosphere!

I was walking around the Cathedral district, with my boyfriend….very romantic…when we arrived at the main square. In front of the church, there was a street market selling Christmas decorations and a strange statue called: …TIO DE NAVIDAD!

I was lost in my “Christmas dream” when I saw children hitting something and shouting: “Caga tío, Caga tío!” (poo guy, poo guy!).
What a shock!!!

So I had the pleasure to see an original tradition that is still very much alive….a really strange habit! I tried to understand what I had seen…a few hours later I read on the Internet why and what they were asking to poo!!

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Tags: Christmas+Crapper, Barcelona+Christmas+Tradition, Caga+Tio