Author Archives: katieparkabroad

This will be my last blog post during my semester abroad in Barcelona. It truly has been one I will never be able to forget. I cannot not quite put into words how this experience has positively impacted my life. Enjoy this last farewell letter I have written to my beloved city that stole myContinue reading “Farewell Barcelona”

Fun fact: Catalonia has its own government system called the Catalan Parliament that is indeed separate from the central Spanish Parliament in Madrid. Barcelona is specifically governed by the Generalitat de Catalunya institutional system along with all the other cities in the region of Catalonia. The parliament building is located in the heart of Barcelona.

https://www.lavanguardia.com/economia/20200418/48587504218/barcelona-turismo-coronavirus-hoteleros.html This Catalan news inquiry discusses how Barcelona’s summer tourism will hault until September and will not be back into full swing for at least a year. With the COVID-19 outbreak and long period of quarentine, Barcelona got hit extremely hard. This beloved city of myself and so many others took a major hit toContinue reading “La VanGuardia Inquiry: Local News #3”

https://www.lavanguardia.com/internacional/20200419/48600716835/oms-criticas-crisis-sanitaria-coronavirus-gestion.html This article from a Catalan news source talks about the recent scandal with the World Health Organization (WHO). It is said WHO was aware that Wuhan, China had admitted to a known COVID-19 case in December and that it was spread through human-to-human contact back. And with this knowledge, it is said WHO didContinue reading “La VanGuardia Inquiry: International News”

https://www.lavanguardia.com/vida/20200419/48601088345/confinamiento-ninos-salir-calle-coronavirus.html The Catalan news article linked above talked about the current extension Barcelona is undergoing during the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 27th, Spain is allowing children of a certain age play time outside. This will be one of the first adjustments to allowing kids to go outside. It is said outside play is a necessityContinue reading “La VanGuardia Inquiry: Local News #2”

The delicious and signature dish of Paella is a must try when you go to Barcelona. It is said that the best Paella is served in Valencia, but it is a very authentic Catalan dish and was one of my favorites that I tried in Barcelona. Paella is prepared with all types of seafood, tomatoesContinue reading “Paella”

Another interesting Catalan food tradition I had the pleasure of trying was the calcot. The calcot is like an onion, but the Catalan tradition of eating the calcot is what makes it so unique. Calcots are served with the entire bulb fully attached and you eat them by peeling them apart with your hands. TheyContinue reading “Calcots”

Many people don’t even know Catalan is the main language spoken in Barcelona and Catalonia, Spanish or Castillian being spoken as the second. I never knew this until upon my arrival to Barcelona. The Catalan language is only spoken here and was banned from being used until after Spain’s dictatorship under Franco. Catalan families preservedContinue reading “The Catalan Language”

One of my favorite Catalan styled tapas is Pa amb tomaquet. It’s toasted bread with tomato, olive oil, and salt and pepper. I always enjoyed ordering this when I would go out to eat at a Catalan restaurant. What makes this tapa so special? Well, what makes it so traditional is the way it isContinue reading “Pa Amb Tomaquet”

Oh how I love a good cup of coffee in the morning. But not quite as much as Catalan culture embodies café in the morning. Drinking coffee in Spain is such a great ritualistic morning routine and tradition. Coffee isn’t just a leisurely way Catalans begin their mornings. Drinking coffee is a very social occurence.Continue reading “Morning Café”