Medieval Barcelona El Born or La Ribera: February 18, 2010

On our field trip to El Born and La Ribera, it was interesting to see how the area has transformed in recent years to become one of the trendiest neighborhoods in Barcelona. El Born is La Ribera's neighborhood within a neighborhood. The centerpiece of El Born is the Santa Maria del Mar church, which faces onto a beautiful square with wine and tapas bars. Known as the People's Cathedral, this is one of the most popular and frequently visited religious centers. Built in the fourteenth century, both the exterior and interior have been wonderfully preserved. Also, the stained glass windows are beautiful. At the back of the church is the area's main street, Paseo del Born, which is lined with cosy bars and restaurants. This small, intimate, and friendly neighborhood is where just about everything fashionable is happening now such as art, clothes design, interior decoration, etc.

The heart and soul of this community is the wide open Passeig del Born. From the thirteenth to the seventeenth centuries, this was pretty much the main square of Barcelona where public festivities and other events were held. Although the Boqueria on Las Ramblas may be the city's most famous food market, the main wholesale business was always done here at El Born. The textile museum is located in this area because in Born's early days it was home to the textile guilds of Barcelona. Guilds were a forerunner to the trade unions and the backbone of Barcelona medieval life. Many of the shields can be seen on buildings dotted around the Barri Gotic, which would have denoted the headquarters of each particular trade. El Call, the original Jewish ghetto, is also located within the Barri Gotic. The recently refurbished La Llotja, the city's first stock exchange, lies on it outer edge on the Placa Palau.

El Raval Barrio: April 22, 2010

The neighborhood, El Raval, is an interesting and exciting area that also has a darker side that people should be aware of. The area has a special personality and character all of its own that makes it a compelling place to visit. El Raval is part of the second stage development of historic Barcelona and used to be very densely populated until the city walls were removed around the turn of the 20th century and the Eixample area was built. Since 1988, the government started a huge urban regeneration project and invested a lot of money in cleaning up the area and it has become more modern and safer. This multi-cultural neighborhood has a variety of cafes, restaurants, and bars. In addition, there are numerous art studios, galleries, and trendy bookshops. The Museu d'Art Contemporani Placa Angels (MACBA) and the Centre de Cultura Contemporania de Barcelona (CCCB) are in the Raval area. It is also the location for an El Raval Humanities University. The CCCB is the first center in Europe to address the urban culture as a driving force behind change and a generator of social, urban planning and cultural developments.



The urban regeneration of El Raval has been led by public funding including money from the EU social cohesion fund. Today, private investment greatly exceeds public investment. The government has concentrated on improving infrastructure, municipal and district facilities, housing, employment, health, education, and social services. There were many kids in the area skateboarding which has become a popular aspect of coming to Barcelona.

Citrus Restaurant: April 13, 2010

Citrus is a modern, well-decorated restaurant with huge windows and views of Passeig de Gracia. It consists of Catalan and Mediterranean cuisine that include many meat and seafood options. The restaurant was recently renovated in April 2008 and decorated by Antoni Arola who is the winner of the National Design Award in 2003. Placed on the first floor of a building in L 'Eixample at the corner of Consell de Cent and Passeig de Gracia, its location is in the center of the city of Barcelona. The name Citrus is because of the decoration in fruit colors with paintings by Lluis Lleo. We took a panoramic glass elevator to the restaurant which was an interesting concept because of its location on the first floor. In Barcelona, they have a ground floor and then the second floor is considered the first floor. It took me a while to understand that because it is completely different from the U.S.

The Catalan and Spanish rice dishes represent one of Citrus' strong points. In addition to traditional recipes, there are modern variations like swordfish filet with a three mustard sauce. As for desserts, the Citrus sorbet trio with tangerine, lemon, and orange has become one of the restaurant's signature dishes. My roommates' family was in town visiting so they took us all out to eat. For a starter, I had the seafood soup which was amazing and I am normally not a fan of fishy soup. I ordered a steak with mushrooms in a really good sauce for my main course. I've realized the steaks here are a lot thinner than they are in the U.S. They ordered a few bottles of wine for the table as our appetizers came to the table. The atmosphere in the restaurant was very nice as you could see the bright lights on Passeig de Gracia through the 10 huge windows.

The waitstaff at Citrus was very friendly and made the experience enjoyable for all of us. Our personal waiter, Papa, was great. He made recommendations for us before ordering that were all helpful. He truly made the experience what it should have been. I would definitely go back because the food was authentic and we all had a great time.

La Fonda del Port Olimpic Restaurant: March 11, 2010

La Fonda del Port Olimpic is located at the heart of Barcelona's tourist area in the port. It is a traditional Catalan restaurant that has great food for a good value. The restaurant is traditional and well-run. A large amount of the restaurant's menu is seafood, but there are also meat, pasta, and other dishes. There was a large group of about 20 of us all at one big table. We sat inside because it was cold outside, but they have a tent across from the entrance to the restaurant with heating lamps where people can eat. They have this special that consists of bruschetta, salad, calamari, mussels, and then a choice of either paella, salmon or a steak. I ordered the paella which was probably one of the best paella dishes I have had since I have been in Barcelona. The calamari and mussels, which are personal favorites of mine, were also very delicious. In addition to all of this food, they provided us with all you can drink red and white wine. So you are probably assuming this going to be an expensive meal, right? For everything, including a dessert shot at the end of the meal it was 17 Euros. The service was phenomenal. I was never looking for the waiter asking for more wine or anything. They were extremely friendly and rather than having one waiter who takes you through your meal, we had various waiters throughout the meal. They also had musicians playing guitars throughout the restaurant almost as if it was a mariachi band.

This experience solidified what I had been learning and hearing from teachers and friends. A meal like this is all about the dining experience and being social with one another. Rather than rushing the customers out of the restaurant like many places do in the U.S., they want you to relax and enjoy the food. Not only is La Fond great because of its food and unlimited amount of wine, but it is also located next to the beach front. As you walk to the restaurant you will pass several small bars/clubs that are not as crowded as some of the larger clubs we go to. Once we finished our meal and on our walk to one of the larger clubs, we bar hopped from one to the next. It was a complete change of scenery than we were use to but it was really fun. I would highly recommend this restaurant because of its prime location, great food, and fun atmosphere.

Catalunya and France Sign for First Transborder Hospital: April 18, 2010

For local news, I read an article in La Vanguardia about the recent signing for the construction of a transborder hospital in France and Catalunya. The government of Spain was represented by the Minister of Social Health, Trinidad Jiminez, while the government of France was represented by Roselyne Bachelot. This agreement to build a transborder hospital is the first of its kind in the European Union, and Jiminez hopes it will serve as an example to future projects. This construction is based on a common feeling between the two nations, and is a response to increased touristic pressures in the general area.

When completed in 2012, the hospital will give services to 30,000 citizens in both areas. The total cost of the construction will be 38.5 million euros, but 18.5 million euros has been covered by the E.U. through a grant. The rest of the cost will be shared between France and Catalunya. Officials see the project as a "worthwhile collaboration," which will demand the use of three languages and a new approach to healthcare. This is not the first project between France and Catalunya, as a high-speed train is currently being constructed between Barcelona and Paris. It is hard to believe that a hospital can be constructed on the border of two different countries. Living in the U.S., I could never see a hospital being built on the United States/Mexico border. I believe the idea of this project is beneficial to the European Union because it will bring countries together that would otherwise never collaborate in health care or other governmental issues.

The Foreigners Pass Taxi Exam Without Speaking Spanish or Catalan: April 23, 2010

In an El Periodico article, foreign taxi drivers pass the taxi exam without speaking Spanish or Catalan. This issue along with identity theft are some of the ongoing problems among those who wish to obtain a drivers license illegally. Since September, the administration has required a language test prior to registration. The objective is to avoid drivers who memorize the questions and solely use the GPS to navigate the city. Being a taxi driver has provided shelter for those individuals who have become unemployed or just arrived to Catalonia. According to the Metropolitan Taxi Institute, 11% of drivers are foreign students.

Jose, a taxi driver for 36 years, explains that the test is complicated. Many of his colleagues openly complain that the calls they receive are impersonations and usual traffic tests. In some schools the tutor has to speak in English so that part of the class can understand. The president of Union Taxi de Catalunya, Luis Berbel, wonders what would happen if you went to a restaurant and the waiter asked you in signals what dish you want because you do not understand. Many immigrant drivers ask their clients to enter the destination in a paper copy so that he can put it in his GPS navigation system. The whole purpose is to provide a better service and not to discriminate. The image of the taxi here in Barcelona is deteriorating because of these controversial issues. From my experience, I have had many difficult encounters with taxi drivers because of the language barrier. Many streets in Barcelona that you would expect driver to be familiar with have to be looked up either in their book or by GPS.

FC Barcelona Proclaims Historic Comeback in Champion League Semifinal: April 27, 2010

In a local news article from La Vanguardia, FC Barcelona looks to overcome its first leg loss to Inter Milan. The loss came as a shock because Barca has been able to dominate the majority of its opponents. Barca players wore T-shirts calling for fan supposet and they promised to ¨dejarse la piel¨ in the upcoming game. The response has been immediate. Barca shirts have been paraded throughout the streets as the internet stories boil and motivation videos have been posted on YouTube. This is a new and different environment for not only the players of FCB, but also the young fans. The passion for this team is at an all time high. The people of Catalunya take pride in Barca and what they have accomplished.

The upcoming game is particularly crucial for Leo Messi who was the star against Arsenal in the previous round. Now, he has gone four games without scoring a goal. The match is also a battle between two of the best coaches on the continent, Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola. Inter Milan´s coach understands that the strength of his team lies in its ability to play on the counterattach. This game is the last obstacle that remains for Barca in their pursuit to Madrid where the Champions League Final will be played. This year in particular is an important year for FCB to make it to the finals because Madrid was knocked out of the Champions League. The rivalry between Barca and Madrid is as strong as ever which is why Barca would love to win the cup in their city.

The President of Mexico Comments on Arizona Immigration Law: April 25, 2010

I found this article in the Spanish newspaper El Mundo that covers international news as well as spanish news. It is important for countries around the world to be knowledgeable about significant issues whether or not it affects them directly. In addition, Americans should remain up to date on current news throughout Europe and other continents.

The President of Mexico, Felipe Calderon, addressed the issue of immigration in Arizona in response to the anti-immigrant law passed last Friday. He spoke at the opening of the Congress of Migrant for Better Living to a very receptive audience. The Mexican President has never betrayed his citizens who are attempting to immigrate to the U.S. He has supported the proposal to create a network of lawyers free to all Mexicans who are victims of the new legislation. The law that just passed criminalizes illegal immigrants and allows police to arrest under any suspicion.

This issue has made Calderon rethink Mexico's relationship with Arizona. He is doubling his efforts to protect the Mexicans against a law opening the door to hate and discrimination. Calderon interrupted the applause from the audience when he said, "the government is unable or unwilling to remain indifferent when policies such as this one affect the human rights of civilians who for generations have contributed to the development and prosperity of Arizona that would not have been realized without them." The President of Mexico understands the severity of this law as it infuriates and saddens them. This law is an incentive to support Mexicans to Arizona and promote unity of all Mexicans in the U.S.

The Doctors of Injured Bull Fighter are Surprised by his Progress: April 26, 2010

In an article from El Periodico, one of Spain's top bullfighters from Alicante, Jose Tomas, was badly gored during a fight in Mexico. The matador was in serious condition in a hospital losing more or less 8 liters of blood. He recieved a 4-inch tear to the groin when he was pierced by a 1,100 pound bull, Navegante, in Saturday's fight in Aguascalientes. The injury punctured one of his veins and an artery as he was operated on immediately at the scene. The 34-year old matador bled so profusely that officials announced over loudspeakers for compatible donors to come forward from the crowd. He was then taken to the hospital where he underwent surgery for a number of hours. Despite the dangers of bullfighting, top-level matadors are rarely seriously injured in the ring.

Tomas was working the animal with his cape when the bull makes a quick turn toward the matador and catches him in the groin, lifting him into the air for a few seconds and shaking its head with the matador dangling from its sharp left horn. On the ground, Tomas rolled away and held his hands up as if to say he was OK, but a large, dark red stain was already spreading through his glittering gold suit. Doctors did not have enough time to anesthetize him because of how serious the injury was. Tomas is known for his daring style in which he gets particularly close to the bull. He is now recovering in the ICU and doctors are surprised at how well he is progressing after the serious injury he experienced. He understands that the recovery process will be slow and take a while, but Tomas is very grateful from all the support he has received from his fans.

Espai Gaudí La Pedrera: March 12, 2010

La Pedrera is also known as Casa Mila and was designed by Antoni Gaudi. It was built during the years 1906 to 1910, but was officially completed in 1912. It is located on Passeig de Gracia in the Eixample neighborhood. The house that Gaudi built was for a married couple, Rosario Segimon and Pere Mila. The local government objected to some of the design aspects from Gaudi. The height of the building was exceeding the city standard while they also refused to approve the huge sculpture on top of the building.

The buidling has a very unique outside design. It is hard to imagine that someone actually lived inside there because of the amount of detailed work that has been put into building it. The building is almost as if a cliff like rock with caves. From the outisde, there are balconies with iron waves. The interior of the apartment gives an idea of how it must have looked during the 20th century. Just like the outside, the inside has virtually no straight lines. Each room has its own character while the attic shows Gaudi's works including photos and scale models of his buildings. By far my favorite part of the building is the roof terrace. It features several surrealistic colorful chimneys that look like something from a science fiction movie. The view is extraordinary as you can see over the entire district. Although Casa Mila was built in the early 1900s, I was surprised at how modern the house was inside and outside.

The inside of the apartment and each room has been preserved with original halls, drawing room, dining room, bedrooms, bathrooms, etc. There are 5 floors including the main floor that all have common features. The main services, bathrooms, and kitchens are located around the courtyards while the sitting rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms are close to the facades.

Roman Barcino: January 28, 2010

For one of our field trips, we walked what was considered the hub of Roman Barcelona, known then as Barcino. The entrance to Barcino is on the right hand side of the cathedral where a series of artistic sculptures stood. These scultures indicate when you have reached the ancient city. The center of the city was the forum which was a space for commerce and meetings. The forum area was located in Plaza St. Jaume where the council and local government buildings are still positioned today.

Most of the ancient city is now buried deep underneath today's city center. What has been dug up can be viewed in the City History Museum located in Plaza del Rei. A lift goes down into the vaults of the city while a digital year display counts down time in big red flashing numbers. The doors open at 600 A.D. You can see sections of the Roman wall, foundations of buildings, churches, and bathing areas. There was a short film that shows a graphic representation of Barcino, and its geographical location in relation to the rivers and the sea.

I found it interesting to see all of the Roman ruins and how it has transformed Barcelona into the city it is today. Although few of the buildings have been renovated, there are still many that have been there since Roman times. It was a unique experience walking through the dark alleyed streets where so much history exists. Behind the cathedral you could see the Roman walls which were taller than I expected.

La Paradeta: February 24, 2010

La Paradeta is a marisco (seafood) restaurant with a unique style of ordering. The fresh, quality seafood is caught by the restaurant´s own boat and then displayed as if in a fish market, ready for you to choose exactly what and how much you want to eat. I felt as if I was in La Boquería. What is great about this place is that you can see the quality of seafood you are buying before you even sit down to eat it. It has a relaxed-café style that Spanish and Catalans do so well. So you would think that this process would be an expensive meal, right? Wrong. It was actually very fair and reasonable as you pay by weight.

So how does the process work? There is a selection of seafood ranging from crabs, prawns, squid, lobsters, mussels, clams, oysters, and more. You pick out what you want at the counter, it´s weighed up and heaved away, and you pick it up crisp and steaming on a platter. Once you choose what food you want you proceed to the next station where you tell them what you would like to drink. Lastly, you pay for everything, take your number, and wait for them to call it over the microphone. Once our number was called, I began to indulge in the mussels, clams, fried calamari, grilled calamari, and lastly grilled prawns. By far my favorite was the fried calamari and mussels. They were unbelievable!
This concept is loads of fun, but remember to order everything at once so you don´t have to wait in line again. It is especially busy on the weekends. La Paradeta has 3 locations in Barcelona. We went to the one next to the Sagrada Familia which was nice because I had yet to see it light up at night. I found out about the restaurant by doing research on places to take my father while he was here visiting. After reading about it, I thought it would be an interesting experience and a fun way to have dinner. This is truly a seafood lover´s dream.

Museo d´Historia de Catalunya: February 17, 2010

For my Spanish Civilization and Culture class, I visited the Museum of Catalan History to understand the heritage and identity of Catalonia. The museum narrates a story beginning with ¨The Roots¨and ending with the ¨Retrat de la Catalunya contemporània¨. I typically am not a huge fan of museums, but this particular one was quite interesting. The way it was set up was as if you were walking through the history of Catalonia. The maps, pictures, and artifacts brought the story to real life which made it more interesting and easier to understand. It´s remarkable to think that a single region of Spain has so much history behind it. Also, it explains how Barcelona came to be the capital of Catalonia.

The Roots began with the most remote era in prehistory, the Lower Palaeolithic period. The spread of agriculture and husbandry changed the shape of the land and led to the emergence of new cultures. Greek and Phoenician societies in the 7th century BC led to the development of Iberian culture which is one of the most important civilizations of the western Mediterranean. By the end of the 5th century, the defeat of the Western Roman Empire paved the way for the Visigothic Kingdom.

In 711, the Muslim army began its conquest of the Visigothic Kingdom and a new country,al-Andalus, came to exist. Al-Andalus bordered the Catalan counties, which were part of the Hispanic March, the frontier territory of the Carolingian Empire. At the end of the 10th century, the Catalan counts became independent from the Franks, with the House of Barcelona as the dominant family of counts. A phase of economic growth began in Catalonia, though the struggle between the Hispanic monarchy and France led to constant border conflicts. By 1830, Catalonia began to industrialize.

During the first 30 years of the 20th century, Catalan industry went through a period of diversification, characterised by the spread of electricity and oil products. By 1959, the opening up of the economy led to major economic and social changes: foreign capital came into the country; industry diversified; tourism developed; waves of immigration from within Spain occurred; and the consumer society became established. The death of Franco meant the return of self-government and the governing institutions of Catalonia. With so much history in Catalonia, it is now clear why there is so much passion and pride for its region.

El Gimnasio: January 31, 2010

There was no way I was going to study abroad for 3 1/2 months and not find a gym. Our program CEA had a special deal with a gym called Holmes Place. So my friend and I decided we had to join. Before arriving to join I had no idea what to expect. How would the gyms in the U.S. compare to those here in Spain? Surprisingly the gym was extremely nice and had really great equipment. There was a swimming pool, cafe, wi-fi area, sauna, several treadmills, weights, and much more. Being in a great city like Barcelona with so much to do it would be easy to forget about working out and staying in shape. While at home I had a consistent schedule of going to the gym. Here it is difficult to find a routine with school during the day, going out at night, and traveling on the weekends.

My first time at the gym was an experience. All of the weights are in kilograms which was different than the United States. I had to test everything before I lifted it not knowing how much I was lifting. I soon learned that you multiply the weight in kilograms by 2.2 to get the weight in pounds. Also, the gym attire in Barcelona is very different to that in the United States. The men here wear very tight clothing some would call spandex. Also, there is a particular individual who is always at the gym when I am there wearing very short jean shorts with a tight t-shirt. First of all, I do not understand how that is comfortable to work out in. Secondly, the guy is by no means a small man. He is actually quiet large. It is rather disturbing to look at, but there's nothing you can do.

All kidding aside, I am really glad that I can continue going to the gym here in Barcelona and make time for everything else in my schedule. Not only would I be scared of what I would look like after my abroad experience of not working out, but I would probably be so weak that I would never hear the end of it from my friends. Not to mention if I continue to eat the way I have been lately it wouldn't be pretty. It's nice that I can take something that I enjoy doing at home and bring it to Barcelona. Doing things that make you feel as if you are home helps get over the idea of culture shock which I luckily have not really experienced.

Nightlife in Barca: January 24, 2010

The nightlife in Barcelona is something that everyone at one point in their life must experience. It is truly incredible. In addition, it draws no comparison to anything else I have experienced in my life. There is so much variety in the city that there is something for everyone. From bars to clubs, there is no way you can be disappointed. Before coming to Barcelona, I heard about the social lifestyle here. How people don't go out until 2 AM and if you are at a bar/club before 2 AM you're considered early and very few people will be there. Most bars close around 3 AM while clubs close at 6 AM. The thought of this lifestyle for 3 1/2 months while studying in Barcelona was insane. How anyone could survive was beyond my imagination. This was just for the weekends like Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night, right? Wrong. Who knew that one of the most popular nights to go out would be Monday night? There is honestly someplace to go every night of the week, but there is no way my body or liver would be able to handle 7 nights a week of partying. So to compromise, most people take Sunday and Tuesday nights off. This is honestly the city that never sleeps.

So where are the hot spots you may ask. There are tons. Sure some clubs are more popular to go to on certain nights, but on any given night you could have a choice of 7, maybe 8 clubs to choose from. There's Otto Zutz, Broadbar, Duvet, Sutton, Razzmatazz, Oshum, Catwalk, CDLC, Opium Mar, Shoko, Chupitos, Dow Jones, and many more. Some of the most famous DJs from around the world travel to Barcelona to play at several of these clubs. Many places have more Catalans than others depending on the night and the club. Razzmatazz is a personal favorite of mine because it has 5 floors with different music playing on each floor. Chupitos is a fun bar that has tons of different types of shots. They light shots on fire which I have never seen before.

By going to all of these amazing places there is a price to pay. Drinks at these clubs/bars are crazy. A typical mixed drink can run you anywhere from 6 Euros to as much as 12 Euros. A shot is anywhere from 3 Euros to 5 Euros while a beer could cost 5 Euros to 7 Euros. So even though you may be having the time of your life, the hole in your wallet is probably getting deeper and deeper. The great thing about the nightlife in Barca is that every night is a new experience. Even though you may be going to a bar or club that you have been to before, your experience will be different each time you go.

FC Barcelona vs. Málaga: February 27, 2010

Ever since I have gotten to Barcelona, I have wanted to attend an FC Barca game. Being a huge sports fan, I have followed FC Barcelona for many years and I was finally going to have the opportunity to see them play at Camp Nou. This was also special because my father was in town visiting for the week so my friends and I went to the game with my dad. With my Sport and Culture class, we went on a tour of Camp Nou which was my first time at the stadium. It was incredible. I was amazed at how huge the stadium was. It is the largest stadium in Europe and holds over 98,000 people. We got to look at the visitor's locker room, the field, the media room, the trophy case, and finally the museum.

My second time to the stadium was going to be for the game which would be a completely new and different experience. My friends and I bought FC Barcelona jerseys specifically for the game. Each of us bought a different jersey. There was one Messi, one Henry, one Xavi, and one Ibrahimovic. About four hours before the game, me, my friends, and my father went for tapas and drinks in Plaza Catalunya. We ordered tons of tapas and they brought us a liter mug full of San Miguel. It was amazing. After a couple beers it was time to head to the game. We caught the metro at Catalunya and took it to Maria Cristina. The metro was packed. You could barely move with all of the people going to the game. Once getting off the metro you would see thousands and thousands of people walking to the stadium. People chanting "Barca, Barca!" I could already tell how much passion these fans had for FC Barca. Soccer here in Barcelona is like a religion. It is taken very seriously and Catalans take great pride in their team. After getting our tickets from the will call, it was time to enter Camp Nou and find our seats.

Not only were our seats incredible, we all got to sit together which we thought was going to be difficult since all 5 tickets were in different locations. The stadium slowly began to fill as kick off drew closer and closer. It was a beautiful night for a soccer game. The game started and FC Barca had control over the game immediately. Malaga barely touched the ball in the first half. Although neither team scored in the first half, the game was exciting watching Messi and Xavi dominate the field. They had several opportunities to score but they could not execute. Second half started and FC Barca started where they left off from the first half. With possession of the ball the majority of the game, Pedro finally scored a goal from about 17 feet out. It was a bullet. The fans went crazy. I have been to several big games in the United States, but this did not even compare. Throughout the game, the fans did many "Barca" chants along with a few songs that I did not know. Not long after, Malaga made a good play and scored a goal. The stadium went silent. Everyone was in shock. 3 minutes later in the 84th minute, Messi made an incredible play and scored the winning goal. FC Barcelona beat Malaga 2-1. What a game!

Carnival in Sitges: February 16, 2010

Before I even arrived in Barcelona, I was told by several friends and cousins that Carnival in Sitges was incredible. There was outrageous costumes, music, and most of all, dancing. The party begins on Thursday before Lent and ends by Ash Wednesday, when an effigy of Carnestoltes goes up in flames and people celebrate the mock burial of the sardine. The busiest days are Sunday and Tuesday, when the local carnival parade makes its way down the Rua del Extermini in decorated carriages, wearing the craziest razzle-dazzle type outfits you have ever seen. When I was there Tuesday, which is the final day of carnival, there were some interesting drag shows. Just when you think you have seen it all...you haven't.

After about 45 minutes of traveling to Sitges by bus I was finally there. Right when I stepped off the bus I knew this was going to be an experience I have never had before. I walked down several tiny streets until we could hear the music louder and louder, knowing that I was getting closer and closer to the party. Finally, I found the beginning of the parade. I have never seen anything like it before. People were dressed in some of the most ridiculous costumes I have ever seen. I imagined it would be like Halloween in the United States, but these costumes did not even compare. Not knowing what to expect and where to go, we found ourselves in the middle of the parade. Dancing down the streets with hundreds of thousands of people was amazing. It was a non-stop party.

Carnival is a prime example that explains the Spanish culture and why it is so important to everyone here. Catalans take great pride in their culture. In this case, everyone comes together in the center of the city to celebrate before lent occurs. Carnival is about tradition. I found that Catalans are very accepting of others. They are open to anyone and everyone who wants to be a part of this unique experience. Everyone is united from all over the world and comes together to celebrate for the same reason.