This large park and exhibition area lies at the foot of Barcelona occupying a big hill overlooking the harbor and city. On top of the hill is an old fort, Castell de Montjuïc, which contains a military museum, a good outdoor self-service cafe, lots of guns still facing out to sea, and some of the best views in the whole city.
Dominating the Barcelona skyline, this remarkable unfinished church is an artistic and religious statement by the famous Catalan architect, Antoni Gaudí (1852-1926). With the dramatic entryways and the 100 meter high belltowers already completed, La Sagrada Familia stands tall as a monument to the man, Barcelona, Catalonia and God. Started in 1883, the site is still a work in progress, and hopefully the project will be completed by 2050.
Barcelona has always supported the arts, in a big way. Art galleries, museums, monuments can all be found flourishing in this cosmopolitan city. In addition to these publicly and privately funded works and institutions, there’s also a thriving street art scene.
This tree-lined pedestrian thoroughfare runs from Plaza Catalunya to Barcelona’s port district, and is a major attraction. It’s called Las Ramblas because it consists of five different Ramblas or boulevards one after the other. A casual walk down Las Ramblas is a must for all tourists. It’s a wonderful, vibrant part of the city where street vendors and performers vie for your attention.
Barcelona’s Metro
Barcelona’s transportation system is world class, efficient and cheap. I recommend getting a street map right away. These will usually indicate the Metro stops and tourist attractions. The Metro is one of the best ways to get around town, avoiding traffic jams, and city smog. The cars and stations are clean, relatively modern, and there’s usually an electric sign telling you how long the wait is for the next train (rarely more than 3 minutes).
A single trip costs a Euro, but there’s a whole slew of discount cards available for multiple journeys, and these are an excellent deal. If you’re going to be in Barcelona more than a day or two, I highly recommend getting the T-10 card, which allows you 10 trips within the city, and costs 5.80 Euros. That works out to only 58 Eurocents a trip, and that includes an hour and 20 minutes of travel time, which can easily get you anywhere you need to go. These can be purchased at the station window or from one of the automated machines. If you’re going to be staying longer, even better discounts are available on a monthly or yearly basis.
Antoni Gaudí designed this park around 1900, as a residential area surrounded by nature. Gaudí lived here while he worked on his many projects in Barcelona. Famed around the world, Park Güell incorporates Gaudí’s flamboyant style into a well-planned, well-used public space. Lush gardens, winding paths, fanciful buildings, open spaces, mosaic patterns, angular columns, colorful fountains all compete for your attention. The park is a photographer’s delight with so many vantage points, each yielding splendid views of the park’s attractions, and the city itself.
The Casa Museu de Gaudí is the house where Gaudí lived while working on his many projects he did not design it, however. It’s been turned into a museum, and can be visited most days. Hand-carved ornate woodwork, purple marble, and Gaudí’s own furniture are highlights of this museum. Surprisingly, Gaudí’s own bedroom, with a small single bed, and austere furnishings are a sharp contrast to his public works. Perhaps the man did most of his dreaming elsewhere…
International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam
November, 2002
Review by Skip Stone
What do you believe in? That theme was one of the deeper questions answered by dozens of documentaries competing at the 15th Annual IDFA. It’s an interesting query for these turbulent times, when whole belief systems are being politicized and many people around the world are sacrificing their lives for what they believe in.
The domination of commercial film by American corporations has created a situation where audiences expect movies to entertain, rather than inform, inspire or critique. Documentaries on the other hand, seek to fill in these huge media gaps by presenting more stories that effect us on a deeper level, challenging our existing beliefs and stimulating intellectual debate. A good documentary will go beyond just updating your data, but will involve you in the life of the participants, and leave you asking more questions about the subject.
The 15th Annual High Times Cannabis Cup
Amsterdam, November, 2002.
Review by Skip Stone
Last year’s Cannabis Cup was held under the shadow of 9/11. Numbed by the events of the prior 2 months, the 2001 Cup seemed muted. It felt odd to be so concerned about Cannabis when the future appeared so uncertain and fraught with danger. Yet it was an important affirmation of free speech during a time when our liberties were being sacrificed out of irrational fear.
The vibe for this year’s Cup was far more upbeat. Carrying on the tradition of the counter-culture, High Times & 420 Tours designated this year’s event the Peace Cup. In a time when our government is insistent upon dragging the world into yet another senseless war, it takes courage and conviction to speak out for peace. One of the great benefits of Cannabis is that it presents users with an alternative perspective, a more peaceful, serene outlook, that many could use these days.
Salt fish bacalao on display in a Barcelona window…
Spanish food cannot be described in just a few words, it is as complex as Asian food, varied as all European fare put together, and reflects the diversity of Spain itself. As the popular saying goes: in the south of Spain they fry, in the central areas they roast, and in the north they make stew. But even this statement may prove to be too broad in it’s conclusions.
Traditionally, food in Spain was a mostly a reflection of the materials they had in the various areas. Remember that once upon a time refrigeration and easy shipments of fresh food hundreds and even thousands of miles from its source was impossible, thus you made do with what you had locally. In the past Spain enjoyed healthy peasant fare for the most part, stretching a hambone or a few scraps of chicken into a meal for the entire family out of basic necessity. It has only been since prosperity returned to the Spanish during the 1960s that they have been able to enjoy products and foods imported from around the world.
Spanish Omelette
One must remember that in Spain, a tortilla is not what it is in Mexico. Nor is it anything like what Americans call a Spanish Omelette. A “tortilla española” is usually consumed as a tapa, or side dish, for lunch or dinner. This hearty dish of eggs and potatoes is often cut into wedges and served cold. Breakfast in Spain is usually just some crusty bread and lots of coffee.
The following recipe will feed four, and is quite simple to make.
Ingredients:
6 potatoes, peeled and chopped fine
1 large onion, peeled and chopped fine
1 cup olive oil
6 beaten eggs
salt and pepper
Preparation:
In a large skillet heat the oil until aromatic, and cook the potatoes and onions over a low heat until softened. Make sure you stir the mixture frequently and press flat with a fork while cooking.
When cooked, remove the onions and potatoes, draining the extra oil away.
Save only a tablespoon or so of the oil in the frying pan, discarding the rest.
Mix the potatoes, onions, and eggs, pour into the pan and cook until the bottom is browned. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Flip the omelette in one piece by upturning the contents onto a plate; add a tablespoon of olive oil to the pan, then put the omelette back into the pan. When the bottom is browned, serve at once, or cool and cut into wedges for later.