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Background: Spain's powerful world empire of the 16th and 17th centuries ultimately yielded command of the seas to England. Subsequent failure to embrace the mercantile and industrial revolutions caused the country to fall behind Britain, France, and Germany in economic and political power. Spain remained neutral in World Wars I and II, but suffered through a devastating civil war (1936-39). In the second half of the 20th century, Spain has played a catch-up role in the western international community; it joined the EU in 1986. Continuing challenges include Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) terrorism and further reductions in unemployment.

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By Thirsty Hurst
September 16th 2009

More fun in Barcelona Europe » Spain » Catalonia » Barcelona

View from Montjuic

After a fun night last night, I had to be disciplined and get up to run. What made this easier was the opportunity to put in a few miles ascending Montjuic, the hill located near the hostel, and taking in the views of the city along the way. Montjuic sits about 550 feet above sea level - not a tremendous climb - but the grade of much of the run and the trail running to avoid road construction made for a somewhat intense run. With the construction, I wasn’t sure how far up I could go so I stopped at numerous [View Full Entry]

By DeniseBrian
September 16th 2009

Day 5 - Barcelona Bus Tour - Park Gruell Europe » Spain » Catalonia » Barcelona

The Water Company Building

So today we are going to be prepared! We went to El Corte Ingles and bought a universal stroller rain cover to keep Jake dry. We knew if we bought it we probably wouldn't need it, but we were willing to buy good weather for 16 euros! We hopped on our bus with the intention of only stopping at Park Gruell, a park designed by Gaudi. We hadn't eaten breakfast yet, so we decided to get off at the hospital stop to find a restaurant Brian was recommended. We didn't know the address, but Brian remembered it was really close ti [View Full Entry]

By DeniseBrian
September 16th 2009

Day 6 - La Boqueria (food market) & wander Barri Gotic Area Europe » Spain » Catalonia » Barcelona

The Horton's in front of the market

This morning we woke up somewhat earlier than usual, 8:00am, to meet Jenn and her son Lautaro at La Boqueria. This food market is right off La Rambla and has many stalls of fruit, meats, cheeses, candy, seafood, etc. Notable items...suckling pig and pig head...and a skinned land head with eyeballs intact. YUCKO! All I can say as the photos don't do the fruits justice...beautiful! **see photos** After the market we had to sit down at a cafe and feed Jake, so we bought some juices and coffee and Lauti had a "bikini", a grilled ham and cheese! Jenn thinks they [View Full Entry]

By Thirsty Hurst
September 15th 2009

Me gusta Barcelona Europe » Spain » Catalonia » Barcelona

Jamon y camembert

I arrived in Barcelona this afternoon after an uneventful train ride from Madrid. After taking the metro to the stop, as directed by the hostel, I tried to get my bearings by looking at a map at the metro exit. I was then escorted by a homeless guy in his 20s to the hostel. I appreciated the effort to panhandle, rather than the lazy bums that sit there and shake cans of change all day, so I gave him a euro for his troubles. The hostel is located on between Montjuic, a hill with a castle, some parks and the Olympic [View Full Entry]

By DeniseBrian
September 12th 2009

Barcelona Europe » Spain » Catalonia » Barcelona

We have arrived in Spain with no major hiccups. Jake was an angel on the plane, he slept 6 hours (his normal bedtime) with other naps sprinkled in. Not too much crying, except when we were passing through the London airport at meal time...we barely made our flight and they flagged one of our bags to be dismantled and re-scanned while passing through security. They had to look at the 6 cans of formula we brought. That airport is a pain in the #%$%. We didn't get any jetways in or out of our plane then we had to take busses [View Full Entry]

By DeniseBrian
September 12th 2009

Barcelona Day 1-2 Europe » Spain » Catalonia » Barcelona

Don't Bother Me

So we finally arrived to BCN and upon waiting for our luggage, come to find that they have lost our stroller. The lost luggage desk said that they see that it never left London and would arrive on a later flight. She said she **hoped** with a winced smile that it would arrive to our hotel tomorrow...it is tomorrow at 11:30pm...so stroller. Brian had the front desk of our hotel call them this morning and they said that if it didn't arrive by tomorrow am that we would be able to buy a new stroller, but we needed to speak with [View Full Entry]

By remlap
September 10th 2009

Beautiful Barcelona Europe » Spain » Catalonia » Barcelona

The amazing la Sagrada Família

Thought I better write a very quick blog about our recent (early september) trip to Barcelona and post a few photos. Trip came about as we found some cheap flights and thought we better take them as we probably wouldnt have had another chance to get to Spain before we had to go home. Trip was a bit of a disaster to start with though, arrived at our hostel about 11pm on a thursday night, didnt get into a bed until about 2:30am though. In short, it was a brand new place which had opened about 2 days before, and they [View Full Entry]

Little Iguana dude being sold on Las Ramblas

By Rayma and Doug
September 2nd 2009

Barcelona Europe » Spain » Catalonia » Barcelona

Doug's Birthday Book

Barcelona: 19th - 23rd August 2009 Barcelona was an amazing city and a great finale to our European holiday. Barcelona, with its wide boulevards and grid layout coupled with impressive architecture (heavily influenced by Gaudi), proves itself to be the long lost sibling of New York and Paris, proving that all three are closely related, perhaps to the chagrin of the latter. It was great to be able to celebrate Doug's birthday in such a memorable city. We went on 2 bicycle tours which both gave us great perspective and insight into the city. Our only regret is that we ran [View Full Entry]

By chrisj
September 2nd 2009

Football, Food and the History of the City of Barcelona Europe » Spain » Catalonia » Barcelona

Casa Batlló

Its Wednesday and the week is flying. I went to bed on Tuesday night feeling relaxed and comfortable. The air-conditioning in the apartment has been a bonus and although the heat and humidity was still pretty high late into the evening I could enjoy the cool air at home. That was until the power blew in the apartment! I woke up in darkness, not because it was early but because the power was out. I hunted down the fuse box, however as my knowledge of Spanish electricity (in fact all electricity) starts at a very low base I wasn't too keen [View Full Entry]

By chrisj
September 1st 2009

Santa Caterina market and my search for casuelas Europe » Spain » Catalonia » Barcelona

Street Art of Barcelona

Tuesday morning and its a pinch and a punch for the first of the month as I go in search for some casuelas. For the first time I have really felt the humidity as I wandered through el Born in the Barrio Gotico . In summer it is always hot in the old part of town as the heat gets trapped in the narrow streets, however the humidity must be at record levels, you could almost feel steam rising in front of you. First stop today was one of Barça's other fresh food markets at Santa Caterina. This is a [View Full Entry]

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