Barzelette

There's something about the elderly that I have always been drawn to. Maybe its their cute little wrinkles, maybe its how jolly or spunky they are, or maybe its just the life and experience that is so evident with just one look.

When I was little, while all my friends used to run off and play with each other during family events, I used to sit and listen to my grandparents and there friends about their life stories, old folkish jokes and views of life. In park Guell, a little abuela from the Canary Islands shared her life with my friends and I over lunch and Gaudi.

Look Around

I am pretty sure I fell in love with the city of Barcelona at least 30 times over and over again within the span of three days. And each of those three times was like an epiphany. There is a sense of magic and nostalgia in this quaint beach-side city. Yes, there is a sea of tourists, probably more tourists than people who live there, but yes there is this communal excitement that has the city buzzing 24-7. Imagine NYC village just expanded and speaking in spanish really fast. Imagine NYC just a bit more laid back with the Mediterranean at its side. Imagine whimsical people, young artists, and well-dressed grannies all in one street. Imagine.

this pic was of a bachellorete party taking up some tasks for the bride in the middle of a medieval plaza right by las ramblas. imagine.

America's Cup 2010

So i don't really know why America's Cup isn't in America, but i will say that I truly enjoy it being in Spain anyway. For a week, we watched boat races and people from all over the world enjoy Valencia's coast and the games on it. the energy itself was great. Everyone for a week was a huge boat fan, even those people who didn't even know how to swim. There was people, music, free concerts, free acts everywhere.

Basically, I've come to a conclusion that Valencians try to find any reason to have a celebration. Ay que bueno!

Ramon the Real painter.

Fallas is taken very seriously here in Valencia. Ramon, a faller painter has been painting Fallas pieces, or ninots, for over fifteen years. Within a half hour, he will have painted an entire ninot with the utmost detail and layering in bright colors. The paints, made of a plastic medium are for the ninots that are displayed on the streets of Valencia during the two week festival.

When watching Ramon, he painted with such ease and relaxation. In one hand, he had his paint brush and in the other a cigarette, while he listened to the radio. For Ramon, and for many Fallero artists, this is a passion that gains lots of respect from the Valencian community.