Adventures of Mark and Stu: Catalunya, (Spain?)

Catalunya, (Spain?)

Care for some luncheon meat?

Driving from the Basque country to Catalonia we couldn't help but notice the flags along the way. They kinda looked like the flag on the region but these banderas were different. Instead of (boring) Spanish red and yellow stripes, these flags had an additional blue triangle and a star. If you have not been following international affairs, you are most likely American. (Just kidding, but possibly true.) The richest province of Spain has a faction interested in outright independence. Even many of the locals believe this will not happen but political events have touched a nerve, thus the flags. Check the Google for more information.

Current political weather

When you are in the Basque country, another region that had gripes (sometimes violently) about being a part of Spain, you can't read the language. At. all. Catalan looks very similar to Spanish: 'Ñ' is shown as the letter 'Y.' Some words look a tad misspelled, some have a 'ç' and the letter 'x' can be seen in words like xocolata for chocolate.

The people of Catalonia (like pretty much everywhere in Spain) have a strong sense of Regionalism. It feels in like, "Why would I live anywhere else?" Our host said even the fish are better in Barcelona. (¿Como se dice smug?) And they are possibly right. Barcelona is pretty damn awesome.

A MASSIVE Miro fabric work

Enough politics. I fibbed. We went to the Joan Miró Museum. He distinctly considered himself Catalonian and wanted to be known as an international Catalonian. I find his art, well, strange. He was one of those artists trying to deconstruct the world. The results were not pretentious but still interesting. When he used color, it was colorful. When he used pencil, it looked scribbled. My general response was, This one is pretty! I got what he was trying to do but I guess it is just not me.

This sculpture was made for this location. Without understanding the thing, you can admire the fact that this structure could only look this way with the backdrop of Barcelona, created by a proud Catalunyan Artist, Miro

I think she is a 'working robot' from the Jetsons

Barcelona is an amazing city. It is expensive to stay here but the rest of the experience is quite affordable. Perhaps a hostel for a few nights? The place is a bit like London or Paris in the sense that you need a few days to even see it. We have been here a few times and this trip is still too short to quench our thirst. Study Gaudi a bit before coming and read about the culture. The place is seductive. To me, it is very Spanish with its own flair. To the locals, it depends who you talk to.