Back in Barcelona, Where There’s Always Something New
I’ve left Portugal and have landed in Barcelona, where I’m sprucing up my new guidebook on this fun and fascinating city. A trip to Barcelona always comes with lots of learning for me — whether it’s the hottest dining and drinking trends (food tours and vermouth bars), the latest restored building in this city of bold and creative architects, or getting up to speed on the movement for the surrounding region of Catalunya to declare independence from Spain.
The theme in Europe over the last generation has been the rise of ethnic regions. As power gravitates to Brussels, the national capitals seem less concerned about their restless, would-be breakaway mini-states. For example, this year we’re hearing a lot about Scotland and Catalunya both seriously pursuing the possibility of declaring their independence from Britain and Spain, respectively. It’s always impressive for me to note that more people are speaking Europe’s small languages (Irish, Basque, Catalan, and so on) today than a generation ago. Talking to my friends in Barcelona about the practicality of having their children learn Catalan first at home and in school — leaving them with a native tongue that less than 10 million people speak in an aggressive and global world — none of them questioned the notion. Of course they’d speak Catalan…they are Catalans.
Here are pictures of three very different experiences I enjoyed on my latest Barcelona visit.
Comments
2 Replies to “Back in Barcelona, Where There’s Always Something New”
Barcelona is indeed a wonderful and somewhat unique experience. I love the “time travel” sensation on gets going from the Gothic Center to the Modernista espansion to the modern Avinguda Diagonal. And the ambiance of the Ramblas is superb, IMHO far greater than the Gran Via or the other great avenues of my favorite continent. Rick, as a proud Puerto Rican fan of yours, I’d like to tell you that the soccer team’s flag is inspired by that of my beautiful island! Keep on traveling!
Hah! Imagine my surprise! We’re in Barcelona, too, our first time, staying three weeks, and liking it very much. Maybe we’ll see you at the Art Museu.
Barcelona is indeed a wonderful and somewhat unique experience. I love the “time travel” sensation on gets going from the Gothic Center to the Modernista espansion to the modern Avinguda Diagonal. And the ambiance of the Ramblas is superb, IMHO far greater than the Gran Via or the other great avenues of my favorite continent. Rick, as a proud Puerto Rican fan of yours, I’d like to tell you that the soccer team’s flag is inspired by that of my beautiful island! Keep on traveling!
Hah! Imagine my surprise! We’re in Barcelona, too, our first time, staying three weeks, and liking it very much. Maybe we’ll see you at the Art Museu.