We will continue to cover La Merce fest in the next posts. But first, some reading reccos.
We will continue to cover La Merce fest in the next posts. But first, some reading reccos.
0 2024/12/14 21:34:38
No matter what the rumors say: the cafe is OPEN.
No matter what the rumors say: the cafe is OPEN.
0 2024/12/14 22:52:44
Some locals protested The Americas Cup.
Some locals protested The Americas Cup.
0 2024/12/14 13:20:30
0 2024/12/14 13:24:30
But Barcelona has plenty of other attractions. Seen here, the colorful glass dome of the city's Palau de Musica. Thanks for the tip to visit this gruezi! We skipped the famed Sagrada Familia, BUT are happy to pass along the following logistical tip for those interested in seeing it from nearby. Both the Colon plus the Sercotel Rossello hotel roof terrace cafes offer excellent views. Reserve ahead.
But Barcelona has plenty of other attractions. Seen here, the colorful glass dome of the city's Palau de Musica. Thanks for the tip to visit this gruezi! We skipped the famed Sagrada Familia, BUT are happy to pass along the following logistical tip for those interested in seeing it from nearby. Both the Colon plus the Sercotel Rossello hotel roof terrace cafes offer excellent views. Reserve ahead.
0 2024/12/14 13:24:43
Mrs Z wasn't interested so I attended this event on my own. That was a blessing. She simply could not have handled the crowds (more about those later). Pretty sure that the man above was the mayor of the nearby town of Zaragoza. The outsized gegants number in the hundreds across the country and Barcelona welcomes neighboring towns to send some of their own to be part of the big parades.
Mrs Z wasn't interested so I attended this event on my own. That was a blessing. She simply could not have handled the crowds (more about those later). Pretty sure that the man above was the mayor of the nearby town of Zaragoza. The outsized gegants number in the hundreds across the country and Barcelona welcomes neighboring towns to send some of their own to be part of the big parades.
0 2024/12/15 13:35:36
The Rioja town of Calahorra sent this historical trio: a noblewoman, a bearded Moorish Sultan and a Roman woman.
The Rioja town of Calahorra sent this historical trio: a noblewoman, a bearded Moorish Sultan and a Roman woman.
0 2024/12/15 14:03:51
I rest my case.
I rest my case.
0 2024/12/15 14:07:35
There were many other traditional figures, African kings, Asian lords, humble fishermen, knights to name but a few. Children especially appreciated the smaller and more nimble 'capgrossos' or 'macers' (fat-heads). Those were cartoonish and comical alternatives to the much larger gegant collection.
There were many other traditional figures, African kings, Asian lords, humble fishermen, knights to name but a few. Children especially appreciated the smaller and more nimble 'capgrossos' or 'macers' (fat-heads). Those were cartoonish and comical alternatives to the much larger gegant collection.
0 2024/12/15 14:09:45
0 2024/12/15 17:45:40
0 2024/12/15 17:46:36
Two hours before the event. The crowd still felt manageable.
Two hours before the event. The crowd still felt manageable.
0 2024/12/15 17:49:17
Even the musicians
Even the musicians
0 2024/12/15 17:50:49
The burliest 'pines' formed the base.
The burliest 'pines' formed the base.
0 2024/12/15 17:51:17
Dual enxaneta kids crown their team's towers.
Dual enxaneta kids crown their team's towers.
0 2024/12/15 17:52:52
An example of bravery and teamwork and trust. By this point, a young Brit couple had planted themselves atop my feet. Having recently suffered cracked toes twice in the past two years, I was not best pleased and took to placing my elbows directly into their backs. Lourdes did the same to protest those crushing her. After the Brits left, a pair of muscular young Germans took their place, their butts nearly pushing me back over the metal fence! They too received some elbow therapy before I left.
An example of bravery and teamwork and trust. By this point, a young Brit couple had planted themselves atop my feet. Having recently suffered cracked toes twice in the past two years, I was not best pleased and took to placing my elbows directly into their backs. Lourdes did the same to protest those crushing her. After the Brits left, a pair of muscular young Germans took their place, their butts nearly pushing me back over the metal fence! They too received some elbow therapy before I left.
0 2024/12/15 17:53:13
All-too handsome Jesus was our second property manager at Gracia's Aspasios apartments.
All-too handsome Jesus was our second property manager at Gracia's Aspasios apartments.
0 2024/12/17 11:25:11
There was some unseasonal rain. Luckily, it occurred early on, while I was bedridden with fever and my wife was hack-coughing as never before. Seen above, trendy Passeig de Gracia which is the spine for La Ruta Modernisme in the Eixample (ay-SHAM-pluh).
There was some unseasonal rain. Luckily, it occurred early on, while I was bedridden with fever and my wife was hack-coughing as never before. Seen above, trendy Passeig de Gracia which is the spine for La Ruta Modernisme in the Eixample (ay-SHAM-pluh).
0 2024/12/14 13:23:20
Things were ramping up. Some tourists acted with control. Others seemed to forget social norms. A Chinese tourist family stood right in front of me, like I was somehow invisible (long groan). Their 20-ish entitled daughter tried to move me off my spot with a nudge. I ignored her, planted my feet and maintained my position.
Things were ramping up. Some tourists acted with control. Others seemed to forget social norms. A Chinese tourist family stood right in front of me, like I was somehow invisible (long groan). Their 20-ish entitled daughter tried to move me off my spot with a nudge. I ignored her, planted my feet and maintained my position.
0 2024/12/14 20:34:15
By this point, you could tell that everyone was anticipating the REAL adult Correfoc.
By this point, you could tell that everyone was anticipating the REAL adult Correfoc.
0 2024/12/14 20:35:49
This figure was much taller than a basketball player. Dig the claws. Next: *The Adult Correfoc, one of Barcelona's Great Travel Moments. We recommend that you wear eye goggles and like that.
This figure was much taller than a basketball player. Dig the claws. Next: *The Adult Correfoc, one of Barcelona's Great Travel Moments. We recommend that you wear eye goggles and like that.
0 2024/12/14 20:36:10
I second what Percy says about wishing those with health concerns all the Best. Those interested in Spain may want to view our new TR 'From Born to Bielsa.' Born is one of the neighborhoods where we rented in Barcelona, while Bielsa is a mountain town up in the Pyrenees. We also visited the French Pyrenees. I am done. the pyrennial travelerz
I second what Percy says about wishing those with health concerns all the Best. Those interested in Spain may want to view our new TR 'From Born to Bielsa.' Born is one of the neighborhoods where we rented in Barcelona, while Bielsa is a mountain town up in the Pyrenees. We also visited the French Pyrenees. I am done. the pyrennial travelerz
0 2024/12/14 21:54:02
We had a nice chat with this pair. The mentally-challenged son bearing the trident on the right was this year's kids Correfoc parade leader. I explained to his dad on the left how I'd once been a Spec Ed teacher and after that we hit it off.
We had a nice chat with this pair. The mentally-challenged son bearing the trident on the right was this year's kids Correfoc parade leader. I explained to his dad on the left how I'd once been a Spec Ed teacher and after that we hit it off.
0 2024/12/14 19:43:22
There was a bit of brouhaha with some locals protesting the ongoing effect that tourism has on housing costs and quality of life. Beyond the odd bit of graffiti and a few banners, we experienced exactly zero hassles in that regard. Some locals protested The Americas Cup.
There was a bit of brouhaha with some locals protesting the ongoing effect that tourism has on housing costs and quality of life. Beyond the odd bit of graffiti and a few banners, we experienced exactly zero hassles in that regard. Some locals protested The Americas Cup.
0 2024/12/14 13:17:52
The King and Queen? Am I right, Enric? Maribel?
The King and Queen? Am I right, Enric? Maribel?
0 2024/12/15 14:06:09
Spain's Jewish heritage was represented. First the husband...
Spain's Jewish heritage was represented. First the husband...
0 2024/12/15 14:08:13
Live musicians abounded. Next: the other half of this day - the famed Casteler human towerss.
Live musicians abounded. Next: the other half of this day - the famed Casteler human towerss.
0 2024/12/15 14:14:23
0 2024/12/15 17:45:10
0 2024/12/15 17:46:08
0 2024/12/15 17:46:20
0 2024/12/15 17:47:23
Catalunya sends many of its towns' Casteler teams to Barcelona. These traditional social group associations each compete on the clock to construct, then deconstruct, a human tower.
Catalunya sends many of its towns' Casteler teams to Barcelona. These traditional social group associations each compete on the clock to construct, then deconstruct, a human tower.
0 2024/12/15 17:49:00
Prior to the event, the crowds continued to swell. I was expecting this. The local woman squashed beside me was friendly Lourdes, who'd lived all over the globe with her husband and children. She became my guide to what was unfolding. We were pinned against the steel barrier fence erected by the medical emergency team close to the wall.
Prior to the event, the crowds continued to swell. I was expecting this. The local woman squashed beside me was friendly Lourdes, who'd lived all over the globe with her husband and children. She became my guide to what was unfolding. We were pinned against the steel barrier fence erected by the medical emergency team close to the wall.
0 2024/12/15 17:49:30
The 'enxaneta' or top child waves success to the admiring crowd.
The 'enxaneta' or top child waves success to the admiring crowd.
0 2024/12/15 17:52:41
0 2024/12/17 11:25:29
One of the more enjoyable places in Born to have an outdoors meal with wine would be 'La Vinya del Senor'. Bonus: sometimes weddings spill out from the basilica barely 10m away.
One of the more enjoyable places in Born to have an outdoors meal with wine would be 'La Vinya del Senor'. Bonus: sometimes weddings spill out from the basilica barely 10m away.
0 2024/12/14 14:01:45
So does Portugal. After 36 years of searching, I FINALLY found a bottle of the rare red 'Bucacao'!!! I found it at a shop nearby the Vinya del Senor: Vila Viniteca. We also bought a bottle of their similarly uncheap but superb Marques de Murrietta white. That shop has an adjoined deli.
So does Portugal. After 36 years of searching, I FINALLY found a bottle of the rare red 'Bucacao'!!! I found it at a shop nearby the Vinya del Senor: Vila Viniteca. We also bought a bottle of their similarly uncheap but superb Marques de Murrietta white. That shop has an adjoined deli.
0 2024/12/14 14:05:58
A trick shot from the Barceloneta neighborhood.
A trick shot from the Barceloneta neighborhood.
0 2024/12/14 14:19:32
Another parading beastie who agreed to allow a quick foto. All diables and diablesses regardless of age, were members of barrio associations just like their drumming counterparts.
Another parading beastie who agreed to allow a quick foto. All diables and diablesses regardless of age, were members of barrio associations just like their drumming counterparts.
0 2024/12/14 19:46:44
Everyone had fun. A true community highlight each autumn.
Everyone had fun. A true community highlight each autumn.
0 2024/12/14 19:55:50
Advertising | Cookie Policy | Privacy Statement | Terms of Service | Manage Preferences - Your Privacy Choices