El mercat antic del Born
The old covered market in the Born, now a culture center, complete with 2000 years old roman street. A must see!
Into the blue…
Barcelona has a very fine zoological garden, inside Ciutadella park. Many people specially come to see the dolphins dancing.
Kim’s Water World Wednesday meme is here.
Maya
During the recent Earth Day festival, these people were singing and dancing in Ciutadella park. I suppose they are dressed as Mayans. And I think they had central American accents. Does anyone know more about them?
Skywatch Friday in Ciutadella Park
Beautiful skies this day. Not so blue right now, spring started with the first rain in months.
Skywatch Friday, right here.
It’s the weekend!
As the weather is very nice, 20 degrees (68 F), sun, I went to a short walk in the park, with my camera.
Please click here to see more black and white pictures, and here to see James’s Weekend Reflections.
Merce kids
Well, this needs an explanation, I suppose. 6 weeks ago, we celebrated Our Lady of Mercy, better known here as la Merce. 4 days, big celebration, music, fireworks, hundreds of items on the program.
This is the official pooster for the celebration, projected from above. And I guess when you’re a 3-5 years old, it’s a lot of fun to walk on the faces in the poster, and to play with the light and the colors. As I am a serious adult, I didn’t. But gosh, I wish I had!
Having very little time, and even less energy at the moment. Will be back browzing your blogs as soon as I can.
L’Hivernacle
In Ciutadella Park, between the Zoological and the Geology museum stands this building called the Hivernacle, or winter glasshouse. It was designed by Josep Amargós in 1884. The structure is an excellent example of the iron and glass based architecture from the same period that saw the construction of the Eiffel Tower.
Underneath, a fish-eye sight of the side of the Hivernacle.
Our World on Tuesday
Autumn has finally arrived. Guess it is the end of the leisurely cruises on the little lake in Ciutadella Park for this year. It is actually raining (Yipeeeee!!!) while I write this.
For more photos on the Our World Tuesday weekly meme, click here.
Our friend Robert in Athens had a very interesting post yesterday about his evolution as a blogger. I will come back to this soon, but let’s say for today that when I started this adventure 2 1/2 years ago, I remember several (many…) comments about the color riot in this blog.
Part of my evolution lately has been a switchover to some more advanced techniques (well, advanced for me anyway), like HDR, 360 degrees photos and panoramas. And I literally fell in love with the challenge of black and white (might actually start a new B and W one of these days, time permitting). So, here is the other version of the photo above. Hope you like it.
Watery ABC WedNesday
I usually publish a water picture of some kiNd on wedNesdays, for 2sweetNsaxy’s Watery WedNesday meme. Let’s chaNge, and do somethiNg else as well this week. So there is a meme called ABC Wednesday, a photo a week ceNtered arouNd a letter. This week the letter N.
So let me show you this very Nice fouNtaiN in Ciutadella Park, Near the Arc de Triomf, a paNoramic view.
Lucky post 888
Only 2 months and 8 days left till Boxing Day!
Our World Tuesday, right here!
On a more serious note, it was a lucky day for a young guy in Israel as well. Welcome home, Gilad!
Arc de Triomf
The Arc de Triomf. Built 1888, for the Universal Exposition. A very familiar monument, passing in front really often. But… last saturday, I spotted this…
There are 2 of them, and I don’t know why they’re there.
Update: Ken just sent this to me.
On the triumphal arch, you will find attached some stone bats. It was
the emblem of King Jaume I. (1213-1276) (James of Aragon). Under Jaume
I., Barcelona flourished economically and he liberated Valencia,
Menorca and Mallorca from the Moors. On 31 December 1229 his troops
conquered the city of Medina Mayurka. The bat was his lucky charm. The
city of Medina was later called Ciudad de Mallorca and in 1717 it was
renamed again in Palma de Mallorca, as the city was called in Roman
times.
The bat is still the emblem of Valencia and was for example also part
of the first crest of FC Barcelona.
Fodor’s Barcelona Guidebook says:
“Jaume i’s affinity for bats is said to have stemmed from his Majorca
campaign, when, according to one version, he was awakened by by the
fluttering rat penat (literally, “condemned mouse”) in time to stave
off a Moorish attack. Another version attributes the presence of the
bat in Jaume I’s coat of arms to his gratitude to the Sufi sect that
helped him successfully invade Majorca, using the bat as a signal
indicating when and where to attack.”
Moltes gracies, muchas gracias, thanks Ken!
The secret garden
Inside Ciutadella Park, there are the Umbracles, or glass houses. One of them is closed, you can just peek through the wooden bars.
So I did. And this is what I found: a well maintained secret garden.
The same photo, activated. http://photosynth.net/embed.aspx?cid=b40e5996-550f-4c03-8570-bf1f9ae1b9bf&delayLoad=true&slideShowPlaying=false
In the Park
Going through Ciutadella Park on Sunday night, we came across this exhibit. No idea what it was, but it looks nice. Maybe some alien landscape .
Computer problem solved: it was cheaper to buy a new one then to have the old one fixed. Fortunately, all my stuff was safe.
2 weeks ago, I found that one of my photos had been ‘pirated’ by some website. After I complained, they removed it immediately. Watch out. Just google-images the name of your blog now and then, and check where your photos are. There are other ways as well. Firefox, for example has a ‘who stole my photo’ add on.
This is for the weekly Our World Tuesday meme. Check it out!
Watery Wednesday 148
The boating lake in Ciutadella Park, for Watery Wednesday, in it’s 148th edition.
Fira per la Terra 2011: shopping
Many nice stalls for shopaholics and others were there, of course. Everything slightly or more so alternative. Or not.
This was, I think, the smallest of them all…
Post 700: Earth Fair.
I posted the Arc de Triomf several times before, but never like this! We’ve had this weekend the yearly Fira per la Terra, the Earth Fair.
 A very interesting and colorful event, with a message. And we support this message, 100%! Just think of what is happening in Japan right now, Three Mile Island… And of course Chernobyl, on April 26th, 1986, 25 years ago. Stop that nonsense.
Watery Wednesday
A seagull, taking the waters in Ciutadella Park, with his slightly more water-shy mate below.
Watery Wednesday again! Just click right here to see more!
Watery Wednesday
Came across, once again some bubble makers, some families with their kids, in Ciutadella Park. Would have loved blowing a giant bubble myself!
As usual, this is for Watery Wednesday. Come on, let yourself go, and just click!
Scenic Sunday
It is now nice enough here for a bit of boating on the small lake in Ciutadella Park.
This is for Scenic Sunday. Click here to see more!
Springtime!
Happy spring everybody! And if you happen to be in Barcelona, the parks are absolutely beautiful, right now!
Watery Wednesday 125
A blue-eyed duck in Ciutadella Park. Watery Wednesday nr 125. Please click here, and… you’ll see!
Tolkien?
This tree in Ciutadella Park looks straight out of a Tolkien book. But he doesn’t seem to be walking around a lot.
You will want to click on the photo to better see the bark, it’s quite something!
This is for Scenic Sunday. Please click here to visit other participants.
Wild thing
One of the cats living off the land in Ciutadella park. The way they move is quite remarkable, more like larger feline than house cats.
The potter’s shop
Found this beautiful shop 2 weeks ago in the Born area, near Ciutadella park. Beautiful things, beautiful surroundings, just everything to please the senses.
You might notice the little guy looking up, looking at us. Shall we call him Harry? 😉
Watery Wednesday 110
This is for Watery Wednesday 110. Please click here to see more watery and wonderful photos!
Watery Wednesday 109
Mangroves (I suppose) growing in the lake in Ciutadella Park.
This is for Watery Wednesday 109. Please click right here and right now to see more wonderful pictures full of water!
And once again, sorry about not browsing many of your blogs lately, as I am extremely tired at the moment.
?
Does anyone know this plant/flower? Please let me know! Thanks!
UPDATE: thanks for your answers, it is ricinus. Had heard of it, but I didn’t know it was so beautiful.
Watery Wednesday 108
Can you understand why Ciutadella Park is one of my favorite places in Barcelona?
This is for Watery Wednesday 108. Please click right here, right now, to see more wonderful photos!
29/S
Today, September 29th, general strike in Spain and in many other European countries. Here is this morning’s BBC article about it:
Although sympathizing with the strikers, this blog is open for business. So, here is today’s Watery Wednesday post. Ciutadella Park, our magnificent fountain
As usual, click here to see more photos for this Watery Wednesday nr 107.
Watery Wednesday
Barcelona’s mighty flying dolphin squad, Ladies and Gentlemen!
To see more watery pictures from all around the world, do not miss Watery Wednesday’s 90th edition, right here!
Boating in the park
The nice weather is finally back, after 2 horrendous weeks. So, let’s go boating!
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Watery Wednesday
Thirsty? These public fountains are everywhere here as, despite of an almost scottish type of weather recently, it can be extremely hot here!
This is for Watery Wednesday. To see photos of other participants, please click here.
Earth Day: Tai Chi in the park
A large group of people were doing Tai Chi in the park, last saturday.
A personal note. I haven’t been feeling well during the last few months. Will spend some time in hospital from tomorrow, having some heart surgery done. Nothing major, but nevertheless… So, I’ll be posting on automatic for a while. See you soon!
Rob
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Earth Day: Ave Maria
During the Earth Day Festival, we spotted this: hemp flavored ‘special beer’. Not everybody’s taste, I suppose! Would you drink it?
As for us, we are wine drinkers.
Earth day: the greyhound
Dog races are very popular in Spain. But… What to do with the dogs, mainly greyhounds, once they’re too old or too slow? They are usually put to sleep.
Several groups here try to save them, to buy them, and they are then given for adoption.
Skywatch Friday: Fire
Sky on fire over Ciutadella Park.
This is for Skywatch Friday, season 4, episode 41. To see more photos of my fellow participants, please click here.
You talkin’ to me?
You talkin’ to me? You talkin’ to me? You talkin’ to me? Then who the hell else are you talkin’ to? You talkin’ to me? Well I’m the only one here.
Famous quote from a cabbie.
Watery Wednesday
This is a photo of the water flowing on the walls of a big transparent box containing an old piano, a piano stool, an umbrella and other assorted items. Art.
The big bad icelandic ash cloud came to visit us yesterday, and everything disappeared in a brown haze, but today is a sunny, Watery Wednesday again! Click here to see photos from other participants.
Catalan recipe of the week
Carquiñolis
1 lb flour
3/4 lb sugar
3/4 lb marzipan
1 cup milk
1/3 lb of thickening agent
1/3 lb almonds toasted
Lemon rind, grated
A little cinnamon
The marzipan is made in the traditional way, mixing the egg whites, almonds and icing sugar. Next mix the flour with the sugar, add the milk and the marzipan. Knead with the hands and gradually add the thickening agent, the almonds, the grated rind and cinnamon.
Roll out the dough mixture on greaseproof paper on a baking tray, and place in the oven at 150ºC for about 15 minutes. Then remove and cut the mixture into strips two centimetres wide, glaze with the egg yolk and return to the oven until it turns golden.
I believe I can fly…
I used to think that I could not go on
And life was nothing but an awful song
But now I know the meanin’ of true love
I’m leanin’ on the everlasting arms
If I can see it then I can do it
If I just believe it, there’s nothing to it
I believe I can fly
I believe I can touch the sky
I think about it every night and day
Spread my wings and fly away
I believe I can soar
I see me running through that open door
I believe I can fly, I believe I can fly
I believe I can fly
See I was on the verge of breakin’ down
Sometimes silence can seem so loud
There are miracles in life I must achieve
But first I know it starts inside of me oh
If I can see it then I can be it
If I just believe it, there’s nothing to it
I believe I can fly
I believe I can touch the sky
I think about it every night and day
Spread my wings and fly away
I believe I can soar
I see me runnin’ through that open door
I believe I can fly, I believe I can fly
I believe I can fly
Hey ‘cuz I believe in me
If I can see it then I can do it
If I just believe it, there’s nothing to it
I believe I can fly
I believe I can touch the sky
I think about it every night and day
Spread my wings and fly away
I believe I can soar
I see me runnin’ through that open door
I believe I can fly, I believe I can fly
I believe I can fly
Hey if I just spread my wings
I can fly
I can fly
I can fly, hey
If I just spread my wings
I can fly
Fly eye, eye
R KELLY
You can’t top the Lindy Hop!
One of the nicer things to do here on a grey sunday is to swing. Everyday 1st and 3rd sunday of the month, a big gang of aficionados gather at the bandstand at the entrance of Ciutadella Park, near the fountain, for 2 hours of swing, Charleston, bop, and of course, the Lindy Hop.
And if it gets too crowded in the bandstand, you can always do it just outside!
Want to know more? Click here!
And there are many schools where you can learn it!
Scala, the ladder
The yearly OXFAM fair today in Barcelona today: stalls selling anything from Tshirts to fairtrade coffee, food, books, workshops, a graffiti school, etc…
And this, these young ‘falcons’, apprentice castellers, showing us what they can do. And they’re very good!
The Triumph Arch
The Arc de Triomf at night.
No internet at home, as our router went out in a puff of smoke. So, I´m posting from an internet cafe around the corner. Wont be able to browse any of your lovely blogs today, sorry!!!
Zoological museum
Let’s stay in the Ciutadella area a little longer.
Among other nice buildings in the Park, there is the zoological museum. And you can have an idea of the content of the museum even before entering it!
Oh yes, I just added the possibility to either send a free ecard of our pictures, or even to buy some prints! Don’t hesitate!
Boys, let’s have fun!
During our stroll through Ciutadella Park the other evening, we came accross this lovely little fountain, boys having fun.
A question for today
Question: what do you get if you combine yesterday’s and today’s picture?
Yes! It is
Duck a l’Orange
INGREDIENTS
2 Duck Legs or Breasts (with Skin left on)
Feshly ground Salt & Pepper
1 oz (25g) Butter
For the Orange Sauce…
1 Large Orange
4 fluid oz (100ml) French Red Wine
4 fluid oz (100ml) Fresh Orange Juice
2 fluid oz (50ml) Duck or Chicken Stock
1 Tablespoon of Honey or Brown Sugar
METHOD
Zest* the Orange Skin and set aside the thin strips of Peel. Remove as much of the Pith as possible from the Orange. Break into Orange Segments and set aside.
Clean the Duck Legs or Breasts under cold water and pat dry with Kitchen Towels. Score the Duck Legs or Breasts skin with a sharp knife and then season well with Salt & Pepper.
Heat the Butter in a large Frying Pan until frothing, but do not allow to burn.
Place the Duck Legs or Breasts in the pan and brown nicely on both sidess (2 or 3 minutes).
Once browned place aside on a plate and cover with Tin Foil to keep warm.
Spoon out most of the Duck / Butter fat from the Frying Pan. Add the Red Wine, Orange Juice, Honey, Duck or Chicken Stock, the Orange segments & and some of the Orange Peel. Reduce the sauce for a couple of minutes, stiring often.
To serve place a Duck Leg or Breast on each plate, pour over the Orange Sauce and sprinkle with the remaing Orange Peel.
Serves 2 as a Main Meal.
Un oranger sur le sol espagnol…
Oranges. Picture taken an hour ago in Ciutadella Park, to which I will come back in the next few posts. Oranges in winter…
The post title refers to an old french song, about the impossibility of having orange trees in Ireland. Was sung by Bourvil. Eons ago.
Big
Should you go for a walk through Ciutadella Park, you will come upon this friendly creature, grazing in the shade. No, it is not a tame elephant, it is a mammoth. Built there for the 1882 Universal Exhibition.
Lately, the mammoth was feeling a bit down. So, that’s me, always helpful, blowing it up again. He felt much better afterwards.
Life
Back to Barcelona. This horseshoe shaped building on the beach, just next to the Casino, the Hospidal de Mar and Gehry’s Fish, is the Parc de Recerca Biomedica de Barcelona, the towns very own biomedical research center. Don’t know much more about it, those interested can always have a look at their website.
Nice view of Tibidabo in the back, which seems much closer as it actually is.
Tea, anyone?
It is getting really hot here now, not a day under 30 degrees anymore. I lived in the Eastern Med for quite a while, in several countries, and I always thought that tea, chai, is the best drink to fight the heat off. So, tea, anyone?
Colors
First and foremost: thanks again for all your birthday wishes!!! Love it!
I took this picture a few months back, in Ciutadella Park. I loved the sheer elegance of the gesture! And what better way to celebrate the first summer day than with… colors!
Parque de la Ciutadella
A bit of history… This is the Ciutadella Park. Formerly a part of the Barcelona Citadel, the grounds were given to the city in 1869. The Park hosted the Universal Exhibition in 1888.
Today, you can find here 3 museums, the Parliament of Catalunya, the zoo, a military church, a giant mammoth near the Museum of Natural History, a boating lake, and a bandstand where you can find every sunday dozens of couples dancing the swing. And it’s just 5 minutes from the nearest beach!
It is the green lung of Barcelona, and a wonderful place to spend a few hours!
First post
This was taken in a park on the Avenida Icaria, in the area known as Poblenou. Poblenou was an industrial area, and was totally transformed in time for the Olympic Games in 1992. Lots of art everywhere, some a bit weirder than others. Well, I like this statue.
Barcelona Daily Photo 
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