Elizabeth Castro sarah@cookwood.com http://catalunyalive.blogspot.com This is what Catalunya looks like-- in action! en Copyright 2006 Elizabeth Castro. All Rights Reserved sarah@cookwood.com Sat, 03 Jun 2006 09:00:00 EST 144 Elizabeth Castro This is what Catalunya looks like-- in action! Catalunya, Catalonia, Barcelona, video, Elizabeth Castro no Sarah Cookwood Barcelona's gorgeous everyday architecture http://catalunyalive.blogspot.com/2006/07/what-does-barcelona-look-like-part-1_06.html Here is some video of Barcelona's lower Eixample district, around Carrer Casp north (to the right) of Passeig de Gracia. You'll see the typical six or seven story apartment building, with ever-present balconies and other wonderful architectural details. There are inlaid designs on the building exteriors, wrought iron, stained glass, textured concrete, and more. http://catalunyalive.blogspot.com/2006/07/what-does-barcelona-look-like-part-1_06.html Wed, 05 Jul 2006 15:45:00 EST 01:53 Catalunya, Catalonia, Barcelona, video, architecture, buildings, Eixample, Ensanche, architects, construction, balconies, stained glass, Elizabeth Castro Elizabeth Castro Yet another crowd singing: this time the anthem for the "Football Club Barcelona", Barcelona's beloved Division 1 Soccer team. http://catalunyalive.blogspot.com/2006/06/bara-bara-barrrrrr.html We went to our favorite bar one night and the bar owner recognized us from other visits and we started talking. He then offered us his Barcelona Football Club Membership card and said we should go see a game. I was flabbergasted but we accepted. We have a friend who thinks that the future of Catalan Independence lies with the Barça... perhaps he's right. http://catalunyalive.blogspot.com/2006/06/bara-bara-barrrrrr.html Mon, 05 Jun 2006 11:13:00 EST 0:32 Catalunya, Catalonia, Cataluña, Barcelona, video, FC Barcelona, Barça, soccer, football, fútbol, hymns, Elizabeth Castro Elizabeth Castro The crowd sings the Catalan National Anthem on Saint George's Day in Barcelona, 2006. http://catalunyalive.blogspot.com/2006/06/we-are-nation.html Saint George's Day, April 23, is a national holiday in Catalunya. It is the Day of the Book and the Rose, where women give books to their sweethearts, and men give roses to theirs. This year it was on a Sunday so there were so many people in the old quarter you could barely walk (literally). One of my favorite parts of Saint George's Day is that they open the Catalan House of Parliament, called the Generalitat, to the public. On this day, it truly belongs to everyone. The best part is that you have to wait in line because there are so many people who take advantage of the invitation. I love that. This year, as we exited into the plaza in front of the Generalitat, there was an impromptu demonstration in favor of Catalan Independence. At the request of the demonstrators, the band that had been in the plaza playing for the Sardana dancers struck up the Catalan National Hymn (Els Segadors) and the whole crowd sang. It made goosebumps go down my spine. Note the man at the end holding up four fingers... they represent the four red bars in the Catalan flag. http://catalunyalive.blogspot.com/2006/06/we-are-nation.html Sat, 03 Jun 2006 13:11:00 EST 01:20 Catalunya, Catalonia, Barcelona, video, Segadors, Independence, nacio, Elizabeth Castro Elizabeth Castro We went out one night not too long ago only to find cape-covered clubs of firecracker-wielding devils. They walk up and down crazily narrow streets setting off firecrackers and reveling in whatever holiday it happens to be. http://catalunyalive.blogspot.com/2006/06/diables-in-gracia.html We went out one night not too long ago only to find cape-covered clubs of firecracker-wielding devils. They walk up and down crazily narrow streets setting off firecrackers and reveling in whatever holiday it happens to be. http://catalunyalive.blogspot.com/2006/06/diables-in-gracia.html Sat, 03 Jun 2006 12:14:00 EST 00:38 Catalunya, Catalonia, Barcelona, video, Diables, Devils, Firecrackers, Fireworks, Gracia, Elizabeth Castro Elizabeth Castro This first episode is about the Clubs that sprinkle candy throughout Gracia for Sant Medir http://catalunyalive.blogspot.com/2006/06/welcome-to-catalunya-live.html This is my new video blog of cultural happenings in Barcelona. I hope you enjoy it! Here's the first video... a little clip of the candy festival of Sant Medir in Gracia. There are dozens of "colles" or clubs, complete with horseback riders and carriages, who through tons and tons (literally) of candy to the passersby. http://catalunyalive.blogspot.com/2006/06/welcome-to-catalunya-live.html Fri, 02 Jun 2006 11:25:00 EST 00:12 Catalunya, Catalonia, Barcelona, video, Sant Medir, Gracia, Elizabeth Castro