Citroen DS: Classic Cars at Auto Retro Barcelona

Citroën DS, one of the most beautiful classic cars as seen at one of the parking lots in front of Fira de Barcelona at Plaça Espanya during past Auto Retro Barcelona exhibition last Dec 10th.

As I said before I am not much of a classic car enthusiast but I can see beauty and art in such nice design.

For the picture I had to climb a wall which gave me an attractive perspective. The orange reflection on the left comes from the plastic barriers next to an improvised mechanical inspection ramp nearby but in my opinion not even this noise can alter the nice look of the DS, the elegant sleek shark of classic automobiles.

Montserrat: The Jagged Magic Mountain

The mountain of Montserrat used to be part of a delta in the Terciary Period. Sediments came from a mountain range located on what today is the Mediterranean Sea and were deposited on a narrow shallow sea that reached the Atlantic Ocean. From those times are the conglomerate rocks present in the area which are very resistant and that form those familiar monoliths that Gaudi perhaps evoked in his famous knights of La Pedrera's chimney stacks. In between the monoliths there are fractures of clay continuously altered by erosion thus the isolation of the big solid structures and the numerous caves. I mention all this because I was always amazed when some geology teacher back in my childhood days said: "You see these layers here, well, this region was once under the sea" - and you wondered, "how come!, we are miles away!". So this post goes to all those would-be scientists who still feel nostalgic about long gone field excursions.

Tapas: A Spanish Temptation

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This is a picture of a Spanish tapa called pincho or pintxo served in the Basque country in the north of Spain. There is a huge variety of them but they share a common feature they carry a toothpick that holds them to the slice of bread and that you are supposed to keep so they can count how many you eat. Pintxos are part of the big family of tapas that are known all over Spain especially in Andalusia but this way of serving them has rooted in many places of the country. In Barcelona there are lots of Basque restaurants preparing delicious combinations on that little piece of bread but they will never ever taste (this is common opinion I guess) as good as the ones you can have up North in San Sebastian, Bilbao, Vitoria, Trapagaran, Baiona, Mungia or Ulzama and Pamplona (these last two in Navarra). I am sure I am leaving someone out but it would be too long a list. I have another image to show you in coming days about pintxos. I would haven taken many pictures but I preferred to eat.

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The Old Man and the Sea

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Yet another shot of the beach in Barcelona city. I was trying to capture that quite restrictive sign post using the sea and the rocks as a background when this old man suddenly appeared on the corner of my eye. I had nothing but the sign in my picture and that was not too much appealing so instead of taking some steps back which would make the man notice I zoomed out and included him in my picture to improve composition.

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Green Peppers

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These green pickled peppers called my attention while we were visiting the medieval market of Suria. I took many pictures there so you will hear the name of this town near Barcelona in many of my posts. I also like the color of those olives back there. I am not fond of peppers myself but they really make a good subject for a picture. I have managed to post today through one of my friends. Have a nice weekend!

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Couple at the Beach in Barcelona

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Today I am in a bit of a hurry but of course I won't let you without your daily picture of Barcelona. This time I chose another romantic image in the same line of a very recent post: Love Me Tender. As you can appreciate the world could be falling appart and they would still be holding each other. I think they call it love, an ancient "illness" as old as humanity itself.

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A Dog's Day

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As far as I am concerned I had no pictures of dogs. Recently I posted my first cat so I've got my classic animal pictures after so much time. Maybe I can even start an animal photoset at Flickr, who knows!. Last weekend, on our way to the Auto Retro exhibition in Fira de Barcelona and some steps ahead of me was this beautiful dog, a boxer or a bullboxer I guess (please correct me if I am wrong) walking unleashed near his owner. The light was so good that I started to chase him trying to find the right moment. I got his butt all the time in my viewfinder but suddenly he paused to wait for the master and here is the result. Then came the eternal question black and white or color. I settled for bw, using a tritone combination that looks more like sepia but maybe you prefer the original color version.

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Palm Trees in Barcelona

Palm trees are common in Barcelona, almost 5,000 according to official figures. Besides the Mediterranean fan palm native of Catalonia, you can also find the Canaries palm or some members of the Washingtonia family like the California fan palm or the Mexican fan palm. In today's picture you can see the striking colors of Phoenix dactilifera or date palm tree and its fruit. In recent years a foreign species of bird has invaded Barcelona choosing such trees to nest and feed on the colorful and tasty dates. As many of you already know this bird is the quaker parrot.

Barcelona Street Artists: Cleopatra in a Trance

You have seen her before on this site. This time I managed to come up closer to Cleopatra to take a good look at those bracelets, those rings and the pearl tiara with the lethal asp.

Apparently she is still in a trance induced by the dreadful bite although she is quite aware of the noise of those coins falling in a can at her feet.

As you can see she is sitting on a chair which is quite more comfortable than standing still like many of the human statues along Las Ramblas: wise girl indeed!

Auto Retro Barcelona: Antique Cars and Motorcycles Exhibition

Auto Retro Barcelona (2006) came to an end after four days of exhibition in the Fira de Barcelona venue.

I am not a big fan of classic cars or motorbikes, at least not from the point of view of engines, value and so on. What I do like is the aesthetic aspect of these collector's exhibits, especially when you can capture them in your pictures.

Admission fees were a little above my standards (not being a fan and all) so I wandered about the esplanades at the entrance where improvised parking lots lodged some beauties you could easily snap. This was the case of this black Citroën. I've had a hard time identifying the brand and finding a proper link so I leave it up to you to suggest.

Fortunately, it appeared unexpectedly driving down the access road and against the marvelous Palau Nacional building in the background where MNAC (National Art Museum of Catalonia) is.

If you want to know about the history behind Fira de Barcelona i.e. the International Exhibition of 1929 please check my previous posts about this topic.

Spices

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More spices at the Medieval Market of Súria. Remember I showed you turmeric or tumeric in a past post, today you can see madras curry, cayenne pepper, some varieties of tea among others.

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Nativity Façade Detail in Sagrada Familia

This is a detail of the Nativity Façade by Gaudi. An explosion of imagination, the artist at his most. 

I like those wingless angels blowing the trumpets. Did you know that Gaudi firmly believed that angels had no wings and so it goes that no angel in the basilica is represented as such?

Composed by Portal of Hope, Portal of Charity and Portal of Faith and with Joseph, Jesus and Mary as the center in each of them, Nativity façade  is my opinion much more attractive to the eye.

Catalan Modernisme: Múrria Grocer’s Shop in Barcelona

This is a small shop called Queviures Múrria (Cat.) or Colmado Múrria (Sp.) and located in the Eixample quarter, at carrer Roger de Llúria 85. The shop was opened in 1898 and it was called "La Puríssima" but it was a coffee roasters’.It is another example of Catalan Modernisme, one of the many scattered all around Barcelona. There are beautiful signs on the exterior like the one at very corner which has been preserved, advertising famous Spanish brands such as Anis del Mono, a strong anisette liquor still on sale. This grocery store is one of those in which we can still find the savoir faire of family traditions and the excellency of good products so elegantly exhibited that you can't help stopping to look compulsively at the shop window like the three men in the picture.

Stonecutter at Súria's Medieval Market

I felt like black and white today so I selected this stonecutter in the Medieval Fair at Súria near Barcelona (see the original color image here). True craftsmen disguised for the occasion showed you the secrets of old medieval trades. There was the basket weaver, the coal burner, the potter, the weaver, the glassblower and a long list of other crafts represented. Stonecutters or stonecarvers were highly appreciated and well paid at the time and their history is linked to the masons lodges of the middle ages. Learn the basics of stone carving art. An amusing reading to learn about medieval crafts, especially stonemasonry is The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. I couldn't help thinking of Tom Builder when I saw this man.

Cat at Large

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That's it, just a little cat beating around the bush. As you noticed I don't have many pictures of animals and I think this is my first cat. Everybody's got a cat or a dog in their repertoire so I thought I'd give it a try. I liked the place most of all, next to an old house along the road to the fortress town of Suria, although it could be anywhere else. Suria is in Barcelona province but the cat is just a cat.

PS: I am doing my best to keep daily posting. As you know my dsl is down. I proceed to publish past and upcoming posts in a row till next Sunday. I know it is pretty weird but I won't be able to have a connection until Monday when I am back at the office. Friday is a bank holiday here in Spain. I don't want to bother anyone with a "push button" request now since I don't know how long my problem is going to last.

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Parc Guell: Serpentine Bench in the Afternoon

Parc Guell is a place to visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon when long shadows and golden rays of the sun magnify the complex geometry in Gaudi's architecture.

Don't let those unique images you take only once in your lifetime be adorned by blown up skies or the strong highlights on the numerous white tiles of the serpentine benches of the famous hallmark in Barcelona.

I thought I had arrived late to the park the other day, even the little museum inside was about to close but once at home and going over my photographs I was very pleased with the light and colors of the vanishing afternoon.

Other posts about Park Guell

Stained Glass Windows at Palau de la Musica

Dark interiors is not one of my gifts if any! but stained glass windows stand out nicely even when the rest of the image loses shadow detail. I was satisfied with the result considering it was forbidden to take pictures inside Palau de la Musica Catalana concert hall as I mentioned in a previous post and some of you have corroborated.

Love me Tender

Still trying to relax I pick up some more soothing images. This is a lovely couple sharing an intimate moment with me. Is it ethical to spy on people with your camera to show the world? For the sake of beauty and art? I prefer to protect their faces a little bit but of course family and friends will identify them immediately, sorry boys!


Recommended: America from the Great Depression to World War II: Black-and-White Photographs from the FSA-OWI, 1935-1945

Barcelona Beach: An Ever Changing Waterfront

This was the way the beach looked at the beginning of November 2006, the waves had swallowed most of the sand as it happens every year. They want to build some new barriers to stop the sea from altering the shore, a group of 15 piers acting as artificial dams and as every rule has its own detractors, now surfers oppose and claim for their rights.

Costumes in Monistrol de Montserrat

No more food for now, I promise. Now we will deal with people, people wearing costumes. These three characters were walking down the streets of a small town near Barcelona called Monistrol de Montserrat. You would think: it is a boring picture for a post,...it is! My archives are running out of images!...help. On second thought, why not just cropping the lady's feet. It would be great for promoting DP theme day - please read the Recommended section below - From the Waist Down Theme. Besides, I like the funny guy on the right standing in the sun with a smile, almost detached from the scene: maybe you could help me with the character, is he Mr. Gadget or Keanu Reeves traveling incognito in Europe?.

Catalan Traditional Cocas at Suria

A coca is a sort of flat, elongated or round bread dough base baked and covered with different ingredients. Technically similar to pizza you could say, but different in taste. You can have coca de recapte where such base is adorned with escalivada - a mixture of aubergines and red peppers cut into strips and dressed with olive oil (recommended for "anti-baconists") - or you can find the sweet versions (trillions of them swallowed with cava on Sant Joan's eve) covered with glazed fruit, custard, pumpkin jam or just sugar and pine nuts. Although sold in pastry shops and bakeries we prefer the ones baked using traditional recipes and artisan wood fired ovens as the ones in the picture.

Bacon: A Still Life Portrait

Vegetarians should refrain from watching this image for obvious reasons. Bacon, in Spanish: Beicon or panceta, has been present in our "diet" since pigs started becoming pork or even earlier, maybe that's why this product was being sold at the medieval market in Suria, a small town near Barcelona. Learn about the origin of the word here. On the left you have a sample of blood sausages or Spanish chorizos, which you can have in slices in a sandwich or simply add to stews, of course you can do that with bacon too. There is an immense variety of pork by-products in Spain and some of them are traditional in Catalonia such as fuet which is a kind of cured sausage (specially appreciated is the one made in Vic, Girona).

Sunset over Port Vell, Barcelona

Today's picture was taken last Sunday after having lunch at one of the many restaurants in front of the marina in Port Vell (I know, I know, it was quite late for lunch!). It was a hot day, somewhat foggy and the sun was setting rapidly over Columbus column on the other side of the port, just in front of Las Ramblas. Notice that on top of the mountain in the distance you can also spot Calatrava's tower which I had photographed early in the afternoon.

Calatrava Tower at Olympic Ring in Montjuic, Barcelona

This sunday we went out for a walk and some fresh air after recent events I mentioned a couple of posts before. We climbed the mountain of Montjuic to visit the Olympic Ring one more time. I took some new pictures of the big squares and particularly the Calatrava Telecommunications Tower you can appreciate on the left and featured some months ago here.

Art Nouveau Lamp at Palau de la Musica Catalana

This incredibly elaborate art nouveau lamp can be admired inside Palau de la Mùsica Catalana, the famous concert hall built in 1908. Visit this wonderful site called The Route of Modernisme to learn more about this masterpiece of architecture.

Wild Yellow Flowers

These beautiful yellow flowers I dedicate to the memory of a very dear member of my wife's family. As a result of this sad event posts of November 25th and 26th have been uploaded past the corresponding date. I will soon browse all comments I have received from you during these days and try to get up to date. As bad things never come alone, my ISP has left me stranded precisely this weekend but I will do everything within my reach to publish on a daily basis.

Beach Volleyball in Barcelona

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This picture I took the same day as in previous post. Some of you were wondering about the time of year and the weather. Both images are from November 1st. But temperatures are not quite different today the 24th. Let me see, 20º C. Forecast for tomorrow, sunny and 22ºC. Beach volleyball is not one of my favorites but I enjoyed the game for a while. Nice for practising sports photography.

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By the Sea in Barcelona

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Today I am a little late with my post. It has been one of those days work piles up on your desk and you don't see the light at the end of the tunnel. Anyway, I chose this image of a couple scrutinizing the horizon at Mar Bella beach in Barcelona dedicated to "sea lovers" worldwide.

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Think Twice: Poverty in Barcelona

Coincidence or not, the cardboard boxes promoting IBM think centre series, grabbed my attention after I took this snapshot next to a bus stop in front of Plaça Catalunya in the very centre of Barcelona. This homeless guy is sleeping but on seeing the sign I can't help imagining that he is thinking, thinking hard, thinking twice about his non-existent future while the rest of the world is thinking about consumer products like the ones that used to be in that box for example. Maybe you would like to see the image in black and white.

Recommended: Now that I raised the issue of homeless people, I suggest you don't miss wonderful Stoneth's photos at Flickr.

Trencadis Lizard by Gaudi at Park Guell, Barcelona

Famous lizard by Antoni Gaudi (1852 - 1926) using mosaic technique called trencadis. 

According to Wikipedia "Trencadís (Catalan pronunciation: [tɾəŋkəˈðis]) is a type of mosaic used in Catalan modernism, created from broken tile shards. The technique is also called pique assiette. This mosaic is done using broken pieces of ceramic, like tiles and dinnerware" 

So many times photographed, in so many angles, with so many different exposures and cameras. 

This is another must see, so I don't know how you are going to combine Park Güell with Palau de la Música, the tour on the bus, the museums, the restaurants, Sagrada Familia and Las Ramblas (missing something here? I bet I am!). 

If you want to know more about mosaic and particularly Gaudi's or Jujol's work (his collaborator) visit The Joy of Shards.

Catalan Modernisme: Stained Glass Ceiling at Palau de la Música

If you think you have seen it all regarding art nouveau stained glass windows or ceilings then you have not visited Palau de la Música, the outstanding representative of Catalan modernisme built by Lluís Domènech i Montaner in 1908.

As many of you already know this is a must see when visiting Barcelona.

There are guided tours so save a little time for admiring it but don't worry if you can't make it to Barcelona,  you can go on an incredible 360 virtual tour inside Palau de la Música Catalana for starters.

Taking pictures is not allowed so I don't know how this snap got into my camera anyway. Check the full view here.

Trencadís Serpentine Bench at Park Guell, Barcelona

Serpentine bench by Gaudi

From 1900 to 1914 Antoni Gaudi directed the construction of this park for Eusebi Güell. 

In 1923, Güell's family gave the estate property to the city. Another jewel for mankind to treasure. How many people came to sit on this bench, how many couples , how many families? 

I gathered some images trying to be original but this was no virgin territory. You almost have to elbow your way to take a decent picture. The sun is disappearing fast leaving behind soft golden tones on top of the broken shards of tile, no one in the way, I can't believe it. Click.

Those Little Moments We Never Forget

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The same day I took the other pictures about the Fisherman and Couple, Peers on Pier or the Boy With Bike Lost in Reflections, I managed to capture this tender moment of a father sharing a magical moment with his two sons. Although you can't see their faces you can feel that the little ones are concentrated on his father words translating plain realism into the language of the fantasy realm where they still dwell. Notice daddy holding their arms tight and the gracious twist in the hand of the one on the right. I remember this first time as if it was yesterday, I remember my father taking me for a stroll near a small wooden pier, there was a little patch of sand...the wood still smells of tar and saltpetre uphere inside my head. Bottom line, be there with them when you have the time, it may look silly or boring but they won't forget it!

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Medieval Characters at Suria

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A page was a boy who acted as a knight's attendant as the first stage of training for chivalric knighthood. These two look somehow suspicious. Hmm...maybe too hairy for being young lads. Of course they can also be soldiers but rather conspicuous ones. I didn't have much time today as I was busy uploading all my previous work to Flickr but an image is worth a thousand words sometimes. The donkey insisted on playing a small part in the play so I gave him a moment of glory.

Recommended: A comprehensive directory about The Middle Ages, Chivalry, & Knighthood.

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Turmeric: A Spice Rooted in Catalan Medieval History

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Resuming our Medieval Fair in Súria, we reach for the spices stall, where I couldn't refrain from firing a bunch of shots on this big bowl of Turmeric, a spice obtained from the dried and powdered rhizome of Curcuma longa, an Indian plant. It is an ingredient in curries and in the Middle Ages its color made it a cheaper substitute for saffron. It originated 4000 years ago and is linked to the Vedic culture in India where it was used as a culinary spice and had religious significance. The name derives from the Latin terra merita “meritorious earth” due to the resemblance to the color of some minerals. It can be used as a dye for cloth or be added to chicken broth or dairy products such as margarine. Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric is considered to have medicinal properties as an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory. Although I am not particularly fond of yellow I have to admit that Curcuma makes a wonderful subject for a colorful picture.

Recommended: Photography Tutorials in pdf format at The Radiant Vista. You also have video tutorials, workshops, a wonderful podcast or a photoshop workbench. A must see.

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Gaudi: Lizards at Sagrada Familia

For those of you who are fond of gargoyles,mythological beings,gods or goddesses, serpents, unicorns, gryphs or lizards I let you catch a glimpse of Gaudi's work on the façade of Sagrada Familia facing the upper side of the city also known as mountain side. It is a part that we tend to ignore as it reminds us of some other average churches but if you take a closer look you discover strange creatures for a church or impossible spires multiplying by the dozen on top.

Súria Medieval Fair: Vth Edition

Súria Medieval Crafts Fair took place this weekend in Poble Vell, the old part of this fortress town. The origins of the fortified villa can be traced back to the XVIIth century when it started to grow around the castle already built in the Xth century. There was a need to protect the salt route along the Cardener river nearby (salt was exploited in the Cardona Valley since Roman times)and also because this land marked the limits between Christians and Saracens. Other important events in the history of Súria have been the cruel Carlist wars in the XIXth c. or the exploitation of potash deposits in the area discovered in 1912. So far so good...As an introduction after yesterday's vegetable stall I show you some folks in town dressing in medieval costumes. An archer and a lord perhaps? I specially like the staring into space of both of them. I was really lucky. From here, congratulations to the artists and citizens of Súria, an attractive Catalan town.

Red Hot Pepperoni at Suria Medieval Fair

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In an effort to show you fresh samples of Catalan culture, my wife, my daughter and I visited Suria Medieval Fair for the first time. This is an annual market similar to the one we saw some posts ago, in the sense that you could buy local products but much more curious as it is also devoted to depict and stage on site the daily life inside medieval markets common long ago in this fortress town located in Bages, a comarque part of Barcelona province. I won't get into further details here as I plan to show you more representative pictures in coming days along with some history and comments on different trades. So for the time being enjoy this shocking image, specially those of you who love red. Take a look at another shot to see these pepperoni in context.

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Passion Façade at Sagrada Familia: The Last Supper

I couldn't help resuming architecture pictures. I promise I will try to quit the habit. Here it goes: This is the Last Supper, a sculptural group or scene on the left hand corner of Passion Façade at Sagrada Familia.

The sculptures by artist Josep Maria Subirachs date back from 1987 when he moved to the cathedral to continue the master's colossal dream. I not only recommend reading his biography but also to discover his work.

Regarding the image, I only have to add that it was shot from behind the fence in the staff parking lot, thus the low angle and the few saints. I think it has been shot less from this side of the building.

Hmmm...how can I be so naive?!

Color my World

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A brief stop along the way. No more people for today but a whimsical play with colors. What can be more color-ful! Yep, very funny...Not that I am relaxing with my posting, it is just that I am exploring new stuff and it doesn't allow for more. If not take a look at the time I publish this. This box brings back memories about my childhood days a long, long time ago. Of course we could talk about quality, about brands, about drawings we made or just the nice smell but I leave it all up to your imagination.

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People in Catalonia: Dancers

I hope you don´t mind I keep posting pictures of Catalan dancers in Monistrol de Montserrat and not about other topics although it is late as usual and I ought to go to bed. Good night and have a nice weekend!

Boy with Bike Lost in Reflections

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Amazed at how the light and colors can change so much in just a while and depending on the direction of your lens, I turned around and left the girls from my previous post, to focus this time on a young man facing the pale sun rays twinkling here and there on this side of the pier. I could have tweaked the image in PS but I am getting fond of soft natural color subtleties. You can't get minimalist if you don't discover the fundamentals first!

Recommended: Underwater photography by David Doubilet. This renown photographer presented Come to the Bottom of the Sea! exhibition (it was over past Nov.7th)) at BCN Dive event in Fira de Barcelona.

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Peers on Pier in Barcelona

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The same day I photographed the fisherman and the couple at the end of Bogatell pier last week, I managed to take snapshots of these two young ladies chatting on the pier nearby. I shot at least four times but some guy fishing in the background kept spoiling my composition. At last, he moved aside by chance (notice the rod on the floor) and let me capture them plus the Barcelona Forum solar panel in the distance. If you are interested in a cropped version using Fred Miranda's BW Workflow Pro photoshop action, specifically the Quadritones option, click here. Don't forget to always enlarge the main picture in the post!

Recommended: Take a look at this Flicker Related Tag Browser. Enter any word, for example: "pier" and then move your mouse to browse a visual cloud of related tags.

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CowParade: Ms. Moolevard on the Boulevard at Illa Diagonal, Barcelona

I swear I don't get any commission for showing this cow, it is just that I like the beautiful design and colors on this Ms. Moolevard on the Boulevard by Amber Felts, part of the CowParade scale model collection being sold at one of the stores in Illa Diagonal Shopping Center, Barcelona. I should say that CowParade organizes exhibitions in different countries which some of you have probably seen. Remember those lifesize cows painted in flashy colors scattered somewhere in your city? According to what they state at the website, CowParade "fosters art education through its Cows in Schools(TM) program and benefits charitable causes through its one-of-a-kind cow auctions". What's more if you are a real artist, not my case, you can apply for designing new cows.

Catalan Folk Dance Troupe

This is what is called Esbart Dansaire, in English a Catalan Folk Dance Troupe. I photographed them while visiting the annual market fair at Monistrol de Montserrat, and I am not sure if they are local Esbart Monistrol Dansaire or Esbart Rosa d'Abril of Castellterçol (another Catalan town). I apologize for not grabbing the name properly. Anyway, the most important thing here is that you get in touch with Catalan traditions and get to know other folk dance expressions different from Sardanes, which are much more extended. The very first troupe danced as far back as 1902 in Vic, Girona but the traditions they represent were originated long before.

Boy in Blue: Kid Playing at L'Illa Diagonal

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Weekend!, buying sweaters for the sudden drop of temperatures in Barcelona. I am at the upper floor of L'Illa Diagonal shopping center. Aware of the sound of the many kids shouting down there in the hall of the main floor I look down and spot this huge box full of blue balls. As I told Kris and Edwin recently I have a knack for blue so I couldn't resist firing some shots. It was almost impossible to isolate just one kid, thus the custom vignette applied.

Recommended: People of Indigenous Cultures by Phil Borges...you won't regret!

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Fisherman and Couple in Bogatell Beach, Barcelona

Today I will be brief. This is just a picture I took at the end of one of the piers in Bogatell Beach. I arrived and fortunately there was just one fisherman with baggy trousers, suspenders and a hat (that's is not common here). On the other corner there was a young couple. Previously I went past a model having a pro photo session and changing her dress up behind an improvised curtain but I settled for my perfect match of the day at the far end of the wharf.

Check an Aerial View of this Pier at Bogatell Beach in Barcelona.

Giants at Monistrol de Montserrat near Barcelona

You probably have seen them in pictures. They are omnipresent in our traditional celebrations making children laugh or panic. They are the giants (gegants - cat.). I can never tell which character they represent. Women mostly represent queens, princesses or important ladies and men may be kings, catholic or moor but also just warriors. Of course you can find all sorts of other characters such as peasants, old people...Some say they are documented as far back as the XIV century, and that they first appeared as male characters. Later came women in the XVI century (discriminated as usual). Giants are made of papier mâché, sustained by a frame of wood to raise it from the inside. Carriers are organized in groups or associations called colles. Remember that there are also small figures called capgrossos (big heads - literally.) This picture was taken just in front of the town hall (ajuntament) at Monistrol de Montserrat. If you want to see them in action check this wonderful videos: Gegants at YouTube

Biker's Beer Pump at Escriba's in Barcelona

Today it was a holiday, so we went to take a walk along the beach now that warm days are coming to an end. The day was sunny but a little foggy so most of my pictures came out dull and boring. We approached this restaurant with terrace facing the beach called The Xiringuito of Escribà, yes the same family that runs the pastry shops at Las Ramblas (remember my post: Antigua Casa Figueras ) and Gran Via, and while waiting for the waiter to accommodate us I set eyes on this beautiful beer pump fancied after a motorbike engine. The small letters on each side read "Escriba since 1908" and "For rock 'n' roll and its faithful beer drinkers", see detail here.

Tomatoes, Garlic and Olive Oil: The Cornerstones of Mediterranean Health

Well maybe I exaggerate a little bit, but olive oil and vegetables surely are the basic ingredients of a Mediterranean healthy diet. So why not showing some good tomatoes with garlic (good for the bones, or so they say!). As you can guess this dish wouldn't have surprised me much if it weren't for the marvelous display. One thing to point out here is that traditionally we use small juicy tomatoes (not these salad ones) to rub a toast or a slice of bread, which is then dressed with olive oil and salted. The toast garnished in such a way is called torrada de pa amb tomàquet and can be eaten as is or accompanied indistinctly with slices of ham, sausages, salami...anchovies sometimes or whatever you can think of. Garlic on the toast is optional but widely used and it must be rubbed first, before tomatoes of course. To finish, just remember this picture was taken in Monistrol de Montserrat in Barcelona. More to come...