Field Trip: El Raval

The field study to El Raval was a very pleasant conclusion to the numerous Barcelona excursions we took part in during our time in Barcelona Past & Present. El Raval is one of the most heavily gentrified areas of Barcelona and most certainly one of the most important. It's proximity to Las Ramblas allows for a once run down, prostitute and drug dealer infested area to be a place for public spaces and cultural centers. The centers we saw included the MACBA, the CCCB and even a public university. I found the area to be very lively and full of Barcelona residents, many were local skaters who found solace in the concrete jungle outside of the MACBA. One of the most interesting things we saw was a reused old church that once was a take-in for abandoned babies, which had been turned into a local government info center.

 

International News: Washington Riots

On February 3rd, following the Seattle Seahawks winning of the superbowl, $25,000 in damage was done to the Historic century-old Pioneer Square pergola during an out-of-control riot. About six people were arrested after the crowd began throwing bottles at police. Students lit furniture on fire and made bonfires in the streets. Thousands throughout Seattle took to the streets to celebrate the cities victory.

National News: Costa Concordia

On February 2nd, a diver helping in the effort to salvage the half submerged Costa Concordia was killed after he gashed his leg on a large metal sheet. A colleague attempted to bring him to the surface before the man bled out, but was unable to in time. The ship sunk a year earlier when it hit a reef while the captain was supposedly showing off for a women on the coast. The cost to raise the ship from the ocean floor is going to be reportedly over 600 million euro. 

Local News: Barcelona

Neighborhood: Poble Nou

The following slides show the district of Poble Nou in which I live. It centrally located between the CEA COACB campus, many hip and cool bars for young people and short walk from the popular clubs and beach of Barcelona. This area is one of Barcelona's fast growing in terms of popularity and gentrification. The city has chosen this old industrial district as the home of its new technological center.

Dining: Restaurant on Joan De Borbo

Traditional Spanish Food: Paella and Wine

   

While the name of this restaurant escapes me, as there are at least four others of these same cookie cutter tourist traps on the same strip, the food and service we received was more than acceptable. This was one of the first eateries we ventured too when arriving in Barcelona and was where we first learned of paying per person for bread for the table. The location of the restaurant however was fantastic as it was located in Port Vell near the Barceloneta metro stop.

Dining: Arola @ Hotel Arts

Traditional Spanish and Catalan Food: Tapas

Arola was perhaps the most expensive restaurant I have visited during my time in Barcelona. While it is delicious and very creative, the food was not as special as the atmosphere and more importantly the check reflected. None the less it was a great night as my mother and another student's parents were visiting for the weekend. It was a great treat.

Dining: Bo De B

  

Bo De B has become a staple of our Mediterranean diet. This is definitely the favorite among Americans in Barcelona. The friendly owner offers a huge selection of fresh foods and organizes them into gourmet Chipotle style creations. The portion sizes compared to the price are more than generous. We never left unsatisfied. 

Leisure Activity: Barcelona Nightlife

The night life in Barcelona is unrivaled to the rest of Europe. Some of the nights that I've had out here have been the most fun of my life. It's great to be able to go out and know so many different people from your particular program and get to share that experience at some of the nicest clubs in the world.

Leisure Activity: Carnaval in Sitges, Spain

Carnaval was a very fun event where we all traveled on buses down to Sitges for the evening to witness the different costumes and parade. The night was a very strange one as the homosexual men were out in storms in a wide assortment of different outfits. Overall, it was a very interesting and fun evening for everyone.

Leisure Activity: Barcelona Futbol

Going to a Barcelona soccer game was by far one of the most rewarding experiences that I had the privilege of doing while I have been here in Spain. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to see a team I have always been a fan of play right in front of my eyes. I have also never seen soccer played at such a high level of skill before which was extremely entertaining.

I also liked getting to see the different parallels of how fans support their team here and for soccer as opposed to the different American sports games that I have been to.