Europe Photobloggers Meetup 2008 in Barcelona: Macba

During Europe Photobloggers Meetup 2008 we visited several interesting spots in Barcelona city such as the Macba museum (Museum of Contemporary Art of Barcelona) in El Raval quarter. The square in front of the art center is normally frequented by skateboarders but we spotted none in the area that morning so we stood there for a while taking pictures of one another. Fortunately our long photo walk split into two days and brought forth many good shots. No need to say that the meetup was a success. Once more Europe photo bloggers got together to share experiences and enjoy the pleasure of taking photographs. 

Barcelona and Its People: Trapped Thoughts

Crossing Via Laietana street and headings towards La Ribera quarter there was this old man wearing a sort of handkerchief or improvised turbant. I don't think it was for religious beliefs. Anyway, I thought he looked tired and absentminded and that there was a wretched story behind his stooping figure. He was trapped in his own thoughts. 

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Curly Endives or Chicory Detail at Boqueria Market, Barcelona, Spain

Resuming my previous post a couple of days ago about La Boqueria market at Las Ramblas, I wanted to share some green with you. Salads are not my favorite. I am more of a carnivore, meat lover, red fan. Nevertheless I reckon the other half of the world goes crazy about chewing up leaves, gnawing on stems and grazing in one way or another which is totally respectable. Here is a detail of a curly endive or chicory that we call escarola. This might lead to confusion cause escarole in English is a plant with broader leaves. Escarola is a rather common green salad in Catalonia, some people love it. I don't. It tastes bitter and is beyond my crunching noise limit. Anyway, the serrated leaves are beautiful and carry lots of healthy minerals, or so they say. I have accentuated the colors using lab color effect. I digress. I hope vegans and vegetarians don't take me too seriously today. I recommend this site (Notes from Debbie's Kitchen) with lots of veggie recipes classified by key ingredients and clearly illustrated with pictures. And I forgot to say that La Boqueria market is just the right place to quench your green thirst.

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Lips

This is a tribute to the legendary figure of Marylin Monroe and Marylin Monroe's Lips by Andy Warhol. I took this picture in a shop somewhere in Barri Gotic. Both Norma Jean and the mannequin seem to be having some conversation. Now that I brought the topic to light maybe you want to remember some famous quotes by Marylin.

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Herrings, Boqueria Market, Barcelona

There are several markets in Barcelona but La Boqueria or Mercat de Sant Josep in Las Ramblas is one of the most renown for historical reasons and why not, due to its location. The place gathers locals and tourists alike and making your way through the narrow corridors is an adventure. Not that you can find whatever you want here but there's the usual belief that if they don't have it you won't find it elsewhere. Besides the fruit stalls which are a must-see, the seafood section is also worth visiting. Today I show you a detail of some herrings which caught my attention. I think they are smoked, but I can't tell a smoked herring from a salted one. In fact I can't tell a sardine from a herring and definitely herring is not part of our daily diet. I suppose many of you do eat herring frequently so why not checking this suggestive site with plenty of herring recipes. 

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Street Artists: Las Ramblas Clown, Barcelona

Among dozens of human statues in Las Ramblas de Barcelona you may now and then find other "minor", less sophisticated and striking ways of artistry equally respectable and venerable as is the case of the Clown. See this artist in context using my geotagged Barcelona photos set on Flickr.

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This Side Up

These arrows can be seen on a decayed wall near Macba museum (Museu d'Art Contemporani) in Barcelona. See Macba and the image on Google Map.

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Barcelona Retirees and Pensioners

Walking slowly they come usually in pairs, observing, judging, supervising, peeking through fences to keep daily control over construction sites in the city on their way to the elderly home or the park. They have their own weapons that they can point at you in a menacing way. Notice one of them hidden rather clumsily behind his back. They fear nothing and know about everything. They've got plenty of time. As part of their code of honor they can wear whatever they want to. Fashion is for the weak. Tough guys indeed with the experience of a lifetime. They are the retirees! Do you remember the post "Home Bad Home" published a couple of days ago. They were the ones and this was the fence. Check it. All my due respect to pensioners in Barcelona and the world.

Street Lamp Crown Detail in Barri Gotic, Barcelona

This kind of lamp is the most abundant along the streets in the old part of the city. You can appreciate on the ironwork a detail of Barcelona coat of arms.

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Home Bad Home

In plain daylight and quite near La Boqueria market in Barcelona there was this young couple sound asleep alien to passersby peeking up through the chain link fence. Two old guys stood right next two us, you know, retirees of those that approve or disapprove things up, nodding disdainfully.

Flag Waving Free

Arguments, disputes, quarrels and battles apart, I am going to concentrate on the abstract beauty of a flag waving in the wind, freely, against the sky. I can almost feel the battering of the cloth now and hear the murmur of a thousand causes and hundreds of deaths in the name of a land and those who on her, dwell. This is La Senyera, the flag of Catalonia. 

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Dali Standing on Barcelona Balcony

On the balcony of the Reial Circle Artistic de Barcelona there is this cardboard image of Salvador Dalí. This cultural institution is located at Carrer dels Arcs 5. Follow link above for a previous post.

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Via Laietana in Barcelona, Spain

Crossing Via Laietana Street in Barcelona

Via Laietana, is normally a very busy street in Barcelona but not much if you go early on weekends.

Via Laietana was first projected in 1879 and started in 1907, with the aim of communicating Eixample with the waterfront, amid much controversy. The demolition of a large number of houses and the removal of the streets in the area was required to do so. As some of the traditional guilds of the city, some dating back to the Middle Ages, were located there, they had to be relocated in different parts of Barri Gòtic, notably Plaça de Sant Felip Neri.

The first section to be built was named Carrer de Bilbao, which nowadays is a separate, shorter street that stems from the larger Via Laietana. The avenue was finished in 1926.

Francesc Cambó, a prominent politician of the time, built his personal residence in the avenue. During the years of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) it was renamed Via Durruti.

Check this interesting movie walk related to Via Laietana where they also show a map of Erasmus students in Barcelona in the vicinity of the famous street.

Cornice Mask at Barri Gotic, Barcelona

When you visit Barri Gotic in Barcelona don't forget to look up to the skies. You'll see balconies full of interesting things, people leaning out of the window and staring at you, colorful towels drying up on improvised clothes lines. But wait, don't stop gazing. Keep searching near the roof. A universe of the most beautiful architectural elements will open before your eyes. This is a modest example: a sort of theatrical mask that stood out thanks to the morning light.

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Candy Mix

In my spare time I am beginning to take the first steps on the world of small things. I neither master the technique nor have the adequate gear so you may call this a house experiment. I set eyes on a bag of sweets at random. This is not publicity. I don't sell candy. But the brand name was there and it came handy for choosing the title of the post.

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Stray Cats Going Wrong Way

I have to admit the wall is not much clean. The wrong way sign was quite dirty too, believe me. But what the heck was the cat doing there? Maybe the neighbors were sick and tired of stray cats wandering down their alley? Perhaps it was a dog only way? Barcelona like many other cities is full of stickers, posters, graffiti, etc. Some with very good taste but the streets will look better if they were neat and polished.

Street Shave in Barcelona

You can walk along the streets of El Raval and discover many Barcelonas. One of them is the Barcelona of the homeless people. They gather sometimes near a church as La Mercé and help each other. This young man had been washing his body before in a water fountain nearby. Then he got ready for this special free service: street shaving.

Lion Head Door Knocker

This is a detail of a lion head door knocker on a building located at carrer de la Mercé 14, a small street paralel to La Mercé church, home of the Virgen de la Mercè, patron saint of Barcelona. To be more specific the knocker is located on the very corner of such street and carrer Boltres. According to historical records Boltres was a family that owned properties in the area in the XIV century. Check the place on my Google Map.

The Boy and the Fishing Net

The boy and the f...ishing net. Yep, that intonation would suit the picture better. Gosh, wasn't the little guy crying like mad because mom wanted to leave and he was dragging behind to play a little longer. Kids! Aren't they lovely?

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Beach Volley at Premiá de Mar, Maresme, Barcelona

For sports fans, especially for beach volley enthusiasts I happened to take this picture recently while I was sitting in a bar terrace by the beach - Premiá de Mar, Maresme Coast near Barcelona. The color picture was fine but didn't convince me much so I used this sepia toned choice. I hope you like the moment. He smashed it if that's what you are wondering now.

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Perspective, Premiá de Mar, Barcelona

The place is just a small park in Premiá de Mar, a town on the Maresme Coast near Barcelona city. Not much to say here, just that the columns and benches directed the eye towards that man in the background.

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Balcony Drain Figure: Fish Head

Sometimes the most horrible and old fashioned facade adornment can be perceived or might be considered as art. This fish head that acts as a balcony drain in one of the many buildings built during the 60s and 70s in Barcelona might be considered kitsch by some or a beautiful retro water drain by others in a couple of years. Who knows?

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Cake Garnish

Obviously I forgot to mention this other stuff I found on top of my cake besides last post's strawberry. This garnish with leaves and fruit seems edible and I swear I've seen it lots of times but never gave it a try. Suggestions would be appreciated.

Strawberry Leftovers

Sorry, I meant to show you the cake but I grew hungry. This is what remained of it: a miserable strawberry.

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Catalan Embutidos

Catalan embutidos or sausages may look gross indeed but taste good, believe me. My wife has just advised me not to publish this picture. I laughed. I know it is disgusting but that's what makes it more interesting! By the way, those of you with linguistic habits should know that "embutir" means "to stuff", that's why they call it sausages in English. We use "salchicha" for hot-dog-like sausages and "embutidos" for all the products prepared in the same way, i.e. stuffing meat and fat, generally pork derived, into the clean bowels or guts of the animal.

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Trixis in Barcelona

Trixis are mixture of tricycles and taxis and are one of the main means of transportation for tourists in Barcelona, especially when moving around the narrow streets of the old part of town, that is, the part of the city which used to be surrounded by walls. For more details check previous posts: Touristic Transport in Barcelona and Trixi Taxi Service in Barcelona.

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Drinking Fountains in Barcelona: Fighting the Hot Weather

Barcelona has a good number of drinking fountains similar to this although on many occasions they are dry. As far as I know the quality is pretty good and contamination is rare. Sometimes it is the presence of pigeons or pets that stop pedestrians from quenching their thirst. But let's not digress. During hot summer days these faucets are like little urban oases, so local authorities should give us perhaps a sort map to get to the nearest source.

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Reial Circle Artistic in Pignatelli Palace, Carrer dels Arcs 5, Portal del Angel, Barcelona

Walking down Portal del Angel street you get to the intersection with Carrer dels Arcs. There is a small building over there called Palacio Pignatelli which holds the Reial Circle Artistic (Royal Artistic Circle). This entity was founded in 1881 although its royal category was granted by Alfonso XIII in 1926. The aim of this non-profit organization is to gather all those persons interested in Fine Arts and support them in their creative experience. The place has held many important exhibitions in Barcelona. But I only wanted to show you a detail of the beautiful figure on its facade.

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Harley Grips Detail

Detail of Harley grips during Barcelona Harley Days 2008.

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Custom Harley Detail - Hot Dreams

Hot dreams is what you have when you examine in detail a Harley motor as the one in the picture taken during past Barcelona Harley Days 2008.

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Carrer del Bisbe, Barri Gotic, Barcelona

A snapshot of Carrer del Bisbe in Barri Gotic, Barcelona.

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Avenida Palace Hotel, Gran Via, Barcelona

Avenida Palace should be among the first options on your list if you are looking for a strategically located downtown hotel in Barcelona.

Just a few steps away from Passeig de Gracia, one of the most famous streets of Barcelona and Spain, Hotel Avenida Palace is an accommodation as convenient as those located near to New York's Fifth Avenue for example although Passeig de Gracia is not only the street of expensive shops but also of the most remarkable modernist houses that renown Catalan architects ever built, like Casa Mila aka La Pedrera, Casa Batllo both by Gaudi or Casa Lleo i Morera, Casa Amatller and Casa Rocamora.

But not only shops and architecture festoon the surroundings of the prestigious Avenida Palace Hotel, there is also the very center of the downtown area, Plaça Catalunya or Catalonia Square, at a 100 meters walking down in Las Ramblas direction. That's the ridiculous distance that separates you from the old part of town or casc antic. Casc Antic was that part of the city that used to be within the walls.

151 refurbished rooms, including the Sagrada Familia suite with a spectacular 10 meter square terrace or the Beatles suite where the Liverpool band stayed in 1965 make part of the perfect accommodation this great art deco style hotel has to give you.

Rooms with carpeted and parquet floors are comfortable, spacious and well distributed. There is air conditioning, Satellite TV, safe, mini-bar, soundproofed walls, en-suite bathrooms and wifi.

One of the best spots in the hotel is the rooftop bar with pool that overlooks Gran Via Street and from where you can see the unique Sagrada Familia cathedral by Gaudi.

Restaurant Beluga also in the venue might be a good option for a decent brunch although there are much better places in the vicinity. Maybe this would be one of the few things to be improved in the excellent services of Hotel Avenida Palace in my opinion.

By the way, a little bit of history for Avenida Palace's visitors-to-be:

Back in 1952, one of those great events that have skyrocketed hotel reservations in Barcelona, in this case the 35th International Eucharistic Congress, accelerated the inauguration of Avenida Palace hotel, once the legendary chocolate shop, tea salon and restaurant Casa Llibre, owned by Guillermo Llibre and designed by prestigious modernist architect Enric Sagnier in 1924. Only twelve days before the congress the hotel was opened in a rush to welcome important personalities of the ecclesiastic world. All in all, there were 300.000 visits to Barcelona city in less than a week. Another interesting fact is that hotel founder, Joan Gaspart Bonet was the grandfather of Catalan entrepreneur Joan Gaspart Solves. Joan Gaspart the grandson, is not only known for being the general manager of HUSA hotel group but for his successful 22 years as vice president of FC Barcelona and his not so good 3 years of presidency.

Here is an old image for you to compare the old building with nowadays' 4 Star Hotel Avenida Palace located at 605 - 607 Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, Barcelona.

Lake Reflections, Lleida, Barcelona

The same place I showed you the other day in Lleida province near Barcelona: The Ivars' pond, late in the afternoon. I would like to thank you all for all the best wishes regarding my holidays. I am still having a great time in Miami, Florida. See you soon.

Colmado Quilez at Rambla Catalunya, Barcelona

Located at Rambla de Catalunya 63 there's this old speciality grocer called Colmado Quilez. Besides the good customer service, the variety of high quality products makes this gourmet shop a must in Barcelona.

You can find really good asparagus, anchovies, peppers, vinegar, caviar, foie gras, nougat and a long etc here. Not the cheapest place to buy but you can grab a thing or two. Maybe you prefer to sit in your car, put your feet on the wheel and contemplate the nice display of canned food and wine.

Landscape: Ivars Pond, Lleida, Catalonia

I will be abroad till August 20th for my holidays but I will keep posting more or less regularly, you know, my own strange way. To start this period of peace and relaxation I wanted you to share a little nature with me.

This is the pond of Ivars, a small town in Lleida which is also a province of Catalonia like Barcelona. I'll keep you all posted so come back often.

Tom Waits in Papier Mache, Barcelona

To continue with my series of papier mache celebrities, I'd like to feature today, Mr. Tom Waits. Remember there were other famous characters or actors that appeared in Barcelona Photoblog in the past: John Lennon, Marlon Brandon as Don Corleone, Hugh Laurie as Dr. House and Woody Allen accompanied by Keith Richards.

Platoon of Tin Soldiers

A platoon of tin soldiers at a shop near Barcelona Cathedral in Barri Gothic, valued in "just" 200 eur.

Customized Harleys: Cruzada

A low rider customized Harley called Cruzada during past Barcelona Harley Days 2008 event in Barcelona valued in more than 40000 eur

GoCar Tours in Barcelona

Renting a GoCar, the GPS guided, talking tour car is now a fact in Barcelona.

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Door Handles at Rambla de Catalunya, Barcelona

Door handles and knockers at a store in Rambla de Catalunya, Barcelona.

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Classic Cars: Ford

This weird, rather customized classic Ford automobile I spotted during Barcelona Harley Days 2008 event last month.

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Marquee at El Corte Ingles, Portal del Angel, Barcelona

This is the entrance to one of El Corte Inglés buildings at Av. Portal del Angel, 19-21. The most famous chain of department stores in Spain bought Galerias Preciados in the 90s, one of its main competitors and previous owner of the store. But before all that the place was known as Jorba department store or Can Jorba. The Jorba family, originally from Manresa, built it in 1932. Adorned with doric columns and a remarkable markee, this classicist building was conceived in the most pure XIX century style.

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Girls Sculpture at Catalonia Square, Barcelona

A sculpture of two girls at Catalonia Square.

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Trixi Taxi Service in Barcelona

Moving around in the city of Barcelona is not as difficult as in other cities since metro and bus service is rather efficient. But when it comes to walking along the narrow streets of the old part of town you really need other means of transportation. Tourist itineraries are sometimes too demanding and impossible to cover in one day so a little push taking the short way can be extremely helpful to save time and get to places in a much better mood. So, how do you achieve that? By taking one of the so called trixi cabs I show today. The staff is generally well prepared, they know the language and are in good shape. These two trixies I spotted at Avinguda de la Catedral in Barri Gotic. To know about routes and price visit Trixi Taxis

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Banco Vitalicio Insurance Company: Balcony and Lamps, Paseo De Gracia, Barcelona

In 1897 two companies called La Previsión and Banco Vitalicio de Cataluña merged into Banco Vitalicio de España, the insurance company we know nowadays. The first president was Claudio López Brú, in other words, famous Marques of Comillas who led Banco Vitalicio to top ranking positions in the market of life insurance companies. Besides life insurance they also dealt with cargo and transportation insurance. After the war, in 1943 the company also started to emerge in other sectors such as fire insurance, car insurance, etc. The headquarters at Paseo de Gracia where these beatiful lamps can be seen, was built in 1950 over the old Palacio de Samá premises. After 1991, Banco Vitalicio was completely absorbed by Central Hispano-Generali Insurance Holding who owned most of the stocks. At present it is presided over by José María Amusátegui de la Cierva. In 1997, a new modern and intelligent building was founded in Gran Vía de les Corts Catalanes. After more than a 100 years Banco Vitalicio is still one of the leading insurance companies in Spain. This is a picture I took back in 2006 of the whole building: Banco Vitalicio de España.

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Sitar Player, Barri Gotic, Barcelona

To grow my collection of musical instruments here is a picture of a sitar. The musician was playing in Barri Gotic, a quarter that gathers a good amount of street artists who are attracted by the many tourists and special accoustics of its narrow alleys. Here is a famous video in which George Harrison is taking sitar lessons with Ravi Shankar

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Old Lady and Fountain, Portal de L'Angel, Barcelona

The summer is very intense and humid in Barcelona. There were water restriction warnings last spring but after heavy and continuous rains, announced fines and water supply interruptions in public places were canceled. Here is an old lady filling up a bottle in one of those beautiful Barcelona fountains at Portal de L'Angel street.

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Dali and Gaudi Souvenirs, Stall at Portal de L'Angel, Barcelona

Another stall at Portal de L'Angel, one of the richest streets in Barcelona. This time selling Dali and Gaudi souvenirs. A couple of days ago I showed you the stand next to this one.

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Banco Vitalicio at Passeig de Gracia 11, Barcelona

This is a detail of Banco Vitalicio at Passeig de Gracia 11 and built from 1941 to January 1950 by Lluís Bonet i Garí. See more details about this bank and insurance company in my previous post: Banco Vitalicio: First High Rise Building in Barcelona. I am always attracted by the beautiful lamps on the façade. I don't know who's in charge of polishing them but they keep them like brand new.

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