During the month of May, the Sant Antoni neighborhood has been offering "Tapantoni" - a tapas tour where 20 bars and restaurants offer a set tapa and a drink (usually a caña or vermouth) for 2€! I LOVE this idea because everything is decided for you - where to go and when, as well as what to order. It also provides a reason to check out bars and restaurants you may not have normally visited. I'm happy to say that I was able to visit 13 of the participating bars with a variety of friends. Every place was good, but I definitely had some favorites. Looking for a place to eat in Sant Antoni? Check these out!
Bar Calders - located on c/ Parlament (one of my new favorite streets) and always full of people.
Bar Merquén - excellent bravas! Definitely a place I want to visit again - the menu looks delicious!
Fabrica Moritz - who doesn't love visiting a brewery? This place has great food, a great ambiance, and great beer on tap.
Nostalgic - a teeny, tiny bar - loved it!
Rekons - so many empanadas, too little time
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
A New Barrio, A New City
This past week, Tessa and I left the neighborhood that's been our home for the past 2+ years and moved to Poble Sec. We were getting desperate to move away from the tourists and madness that is the center of Barcelona, especially as tourist season is now in full swing! We also wanted a place with more space and light, in addition to a few other specifics.
Although it was a stressful process, we finally found our new home and wow, do we love it! We now have a lovely, bright and spacious duplex. It's amazing how moving just 5-10 minutes away can also mean a completely different feel. Poble Sec has a much more local vibe - it's been rare to hear English on the streets, which is very different than the Gotico! The streets are also much wider and filled with many more trees. Within a 5 minute walk, we can step into Montjuic and feel like we're in a completely different city. It's amazing! And of course, a new neighborhood means a whole new range of bars, cafes, and restaurants to explore.
Below are some photos of our new place. We still have a few more things to do, but it already feels like "home." And we still have a spare bedroom, so feel free to visit and rediscover Barcelona with me!
Although it was a stressful process, we finally found our new home and wow, do we love it! We now have a lovely, bright and spacious duplex. It's amazing how moving just 5-10 minutes away can also mean a completely different feel. Poble Sec has a much more local vibe - it's been rare to hear English on the streets, which is very different than the Gotico! The streets are also much wider and filled with many more trees. Within a 5 minute walk, we can step into Montjuic and feel like we're in a completely different city. It's amazing! And of course, a new neighborhood means a whole new range of bars, cafes, and restaurants to explore.
Below are some photos of our new place. We still have a few more things to do, but it already feels like "home." And we still have a spare bedroom, so feel free to visit and rediscover Barcelona with me!
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| Come upstairs to my room! |
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| my bedroom |
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| my dressing room? |
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| my ridiculously-sized bathroom |
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| dining room/living room |
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| drink anyone? |
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| kitchen |
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| extra bedroom waiting for visitors! |
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| evening views from our balcony |
Sunday, May 5, 2013
A Weekend in Belgium
Just a few weeks ago, Tessa and I went to Belgium to meet Anna there for a quick weekend trip. This was the first time my two "Spanish" best friends would meet and this weekend followed my 33rd birthday, so the timing couldn't have been better!
As expected, Belgium didn't disappoint! We spent Friday evening in Brussels, then left bright and early for Bruges the next day. Having watched "In Bruges" the week before, we had a few ideas of what to expect. This little town quickly became one of my most favorites in Europe. The size, the quaint homes, the amazing bars and plazas on every corner with delicious beers - wow. I loved it!
If you haven't been to Belgium, I highly recommend it. With just a few days, you could see the majority of this small, lovely country. I hope to get a chance to return and see more.
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| love these ladies! |
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| Belgian canals |
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| a delicious sampler |
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| so many beers, so little time |
If you haven't been to Belgium, I highly recommend it. With just a few days, you could see the majority of this small, lovely country. I hope to get a chance to return and see more.
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| As expected, these two hit it off! :) |
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| Good night, Bruges . . . |
Buen Camino
For about the past year, my parents have talked about hiking the Camino de Santiago. This is a journey I've always heard about and been interested in since moving to Spain. So, when my dad decided to visit during Semana Santa to begin the walk, I was happy to join.
My parents had done all of the research about what to bring and where to stay, so I was lucky enough to enjoy the benefits of their preparedness! My dad arrived with the backpack, blister treatments, collapsible water bottles, and much, much more - we were definitely prepared for the journey!
We started in Cizur Mayor, a few kilometers outside of Pamplona. (Due to limited time and pretty bad weather, we opted not to start in Roncevalles.) Our hope was to make it somewhere close to Burgos in the seven days I would be with my dad, because this is where I had a flight back to Barcelona. My dad's plan was to continue on to Leon and return to Barcelona after a total of 21 days on the Camino.
We quickly realized that the reality of walking 22+ kilometers a day is pretty tough! By the third day, my legs ached in a way I had never experienced before. The terrain at the start was more difficult than expected, but this also made for some spectacular views.
My most favorite part of the camino was the people you meet along the way. We spent a few of our days walking with a father and son from Scotland, an American man, and a girl from Belgium. We also met people from Spain, New Zealand, Germany, France, and more -- it's amazing to hear the stories of people who have come from all over the world to have this experience.
I also loved the encouragement we received from the Spaniards in small towns along the way. One of my most favorite moments occurred in a tiny town (population 40) called Azqueta. When we walked into this town, a little old man greeted us and asked if we wanted a stamp for our pilgrim passports. After receiving one, he noticed that I didn't have a scallop shell, the symbol of the camino. He led me around to his backyard where he allowed me to pick my shell from the hundreds he had. He measured the string and made my necklace. He then grabbed my shoulders, gave me dos besos, and wished me a "Buen Camino." It's a moment that still gives me chills just thinking about it!
It was moments like these, combined with the simplicity of literally waking up each day just to walk, that made me love the camino. By the fifth day, my legs felt good and I actually looked forward to walking - it is amazing how quickly your body adjusts and no longer wants to be still.
Unfortunately, our trip was cut a bit short due to an old injury flaring up for my dad. However, this allowed us a chance to visit Bilbao and Burgos, two towns I had always wanted to see. Without a doubt, I will be returning to the camino. I don't plan to walk all of it, but I know I will walk into Compostella de Santiago one day soon. For anyone who enjoys the outdoors, walking, and Spain, I can't encourage you enough to try the Camino de Santiago.
My parents had done all of the research about what to bring and where to stay, so I was lucky enough to enjoy the benefits of their preparedness! My dad arrived with the backpack, blister treatments, collapsible water bottles, and much, much more - we were definitely prepared for the journey!
We started in Cizur Mayor, a few kilometers outside of Pamplona. (Due to limited time and pretty bad weather, we opted not to start in Roncevalles.) Our hope was to make it somewhere close to Burgos in the seven days I would be with my dad, because this is where I had a flight back to Barcelona. My dad's plan was to continue on to Leon and return to Barcelona after a total of 21 days on the Camino.
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| Navarra |
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| some of our walking friend |
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| my scallop shell |
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| A fountain of wine always makes walking easier! |
This is Brazil!
Once Emily decided to move to Brazil from Switzerland last year, I knew I would be going to visit her. And this past February, I was lucky enough to journey to Rio to experience the original Carnaval - and wow, what a party it was!
Although there are many similarities between Spain and Brazil, the Brazilian culture definitely has a style and flavor all its' own. From the samba music being played in every bar, to the dancing in the streets, from the diversity of the people to the freshness of the fruit and juices, Brazil was like no place I've ever been.
We spent our first 4 nights in Rio to experience the craziness of Carnaval. We were able to go to the Sambodromo to watch the samba school competitions. I had NO idea that this was on such a grand scale - huge floats, thousands of dancers, and an hour performance per school - so impressive!
In addition to this, we happened upon many street parades in different neighborhoods, which I really loved. Seeing the locals in their element was fantastic. We also spent time on the beaches of Ipanema and saw Copacabana - places I'd only heard about in songs. We visited the Christ the Redeemer statue, something I've always wanted to see.
Finally, we spent three nights in the lazy beach town of Buzios, a wonderful break from the craziness of Rio. The views, weather, and water were spectacular.
Overall, it was a trip to be remembered! I hope to have the opportunity to explore a bit more of Brazil in the future . . .
Although there are many similarities between Spain and Brazil, the Brazilian culture definitely has a style and flavor all its' own. From the samba music being played in every bar, to the dancing in the streets, from the diversity of the people to the freshness of the fruit and juices, Brazil was like no place I've ever been.
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| Delicious agua de coco while strolling the beaches of Ipanema |
We spent our first 4 nights in Rio to experience the craziness of Carnaval. We were able to go to the Sambodromo to watch the samba school competitions. I had NO idea that this was on such a grand scale - huge floats, thousands of dancers, and an hour performance per school - so impressive!
In addition to this, we happened upon many street parades in different neighborhoods, which I really loved. Seeing the locals in their element was fantastic. We also spent time on the beaches of Ipanema and saw Copacabana - places I'd only heard about in songs. We visited the Christ the Redeemer statue, something I've always wanted to see.
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| an amazing street parade! |
Finally, we spent three nights in the lazy beach town of Buzios, a wonderful break from the craziness of Rio. The views, weather, and water were spectacular.
Overall, it was a trip to be remembered! I hope to have the opportunity to explore a bit more of Brazil in the future . . .
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