<html><head><style type="text/css"><!-- DIV {margin:0px;} --></style></head><body><div style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:10pt">Antes <a href="http://barcelonaentransicio.wordpress.com/2010/12/16/fiesta-barcelona-en-transicio/">LA FIESTA</a> del proximo miercoles.... <br><div style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><div style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br><div style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Ahora soy un guia por un tour en ingles en el barri gotic, es muy bien, no paga muy bien, pero estoy disfrutando lo. Proximo miercoles, tendra un tour a las 15h, antes la <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://barcelonaentransicio.wordpress.com/2010/12/16/fiesta-barcelona-en-transicio/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">fiesta</span></a>, y me gustaria si vosotros, con salva y claudia puede ven. El tour es muy version personal del
ciudad, estoy hablando sobre temas del ciudad y de catalunya... eco, divertido, anarquismo y revolucion y guerra, los bares baratos, y caga... cagallel, merdenca, caga tio, cagañer... y torros y burros..<br><br>mas info aqui - <br><h2><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://itsafunnyoldworld.wordpress.com/2010/10/10/barcelona/" title="Permanent Link: Barcelona Free
Walking Tour">Barcelona Free Walking Tour</a></h2>(click link above to view in original format and to watch embedded vids)<br><br><p style="text-align: justify;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.ciutatoci.com/festes/images/i06/caganer_r250.jpg"><img class="alignright" src="http://www.ciutatoci.com/festes/images/i06/caganer_r250.jpg" alt="" height="138" width="113"></a></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br></p><p style="text-align: justify;">An English speaking walking tour around the Barri Gothic with the <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.travelbar.com/es/adventure-weekends/walking_tour.php">TRAVEL BOUND</a> travel group…</p>
<blockquote>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.travelbar.com/es/adventure-weekends/walking_tour.php"><img class="alignleft" src="http://www.travelbar.com/uk/img/banner/logo.gif" alt="" height="71" width="94"></a><em>Experience the magic and mystery of Barcelona´s historic roots, Informative and entertaining. Discover the hidden </em><em>beauty of Catalun</em><em>ya´s largest most controversial city.</em></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><em>Let us take you on a two hour tour
through Barcelon´s old city including: The Barri Gothic Roman remains
Picasso´s absinthe bar, the former red light district, and the world
famous Rambla</em></p>
</blockquote>
<p style="text-align: justify;">This article is a little helper for
those that have done the tour and who want to learn more, or for those
who simply want to learn a little about this wonderful city.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><br><small><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://maps.google.es/maps/ms?hl=es&gl=es&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=116723910549637752730.0004952bdceb35a1f90dc&ll=41.382822,2.173335&spn=0.007036,0.009474&t=h&source=embed" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255); text-align: left;">View Larger Map</a></small></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">We leave from Travel Bar, C/ Boqueria,
27 every day at 11, 1 and 3. So come down, wander around and learn why
this is one of the most exciting cities in the world</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><img src="http://maps.gstatic.com/intl/es_es/mapfiles/ms/micons/blue-dot.white.png" alt="">Starting and Finish point</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><img src="http://maps.gstatic.com/intl/es_es/mapfiles/ms/micons/yellow-dot.white.png" alt="" height="32" width="32">Area we stop and chat in <img src="http://maps.gstatic.com/intl/es_es/mapfiles/ms/micons/green-dot.white.png" alt="" height="32" width="32">Area of interest nearby</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://itsafunnyoldworld.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/map21.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-1181 alignnone" title="map2" src="http://itsafunnyoldworld.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/map21.jpg?w=450&h=347" alt="" height="347" width="450"></a></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Barcino, the Roman town on the Mediterenian, which grew from 15 BC</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span id="more-1133"></span></p>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">The Tour stops…</h2>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;"><img src="http://maps.gstatic.com/intl/es_es/mapfiles/ms/micons/blue-dot.white.png" alt=""> Travelbar</h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;" dir="ltr">C/ Boqueria, 27<br>
08002 Barcelona<br>
933 425 252</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;" dir="ltr"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://maps.google.es/local_url?q=http://www.travelbar.com/&dq=travel+bar+barcelona&f=q&source=s_q&output=js&hl=es&geocode=&abauth=4ce28d88bRRJofz11jUZ64vrMGjNSX077gc&vps=1&jsv=295c&sll=40.396764,-3.713379&sspn=10.170438,26.784668&oi=miw&sa=X&ct=miw_link&cd=1&cad=homepage,cid:6429941158345498634&ei=kY3iTNvXJd6cOOWgnLAB&s=ANYYN7neYaEWeSsmmz5JZT--uuxBs2ynAw">travelbar.com</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;" dir="ltr"><img src="http://media.salir-static.net/_images_/verticales/4/7/f/c/2901-travel_bar_pv.jpg/vm5tgq" alt=""></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;"><img src="http://maps.gstatic.com/intl/es_es/mapfiles/ms/micons/yellow-dot.white.png" alt="" height="32" width="32">Las Ramblas</h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;" dir="ltr">
<div dir="ltr">The Miro ground mural, tourist central.The line of the
Rambla follows one of the old city rivers within which the old city was
built in, the Cagallel (the turd bearer), the other also being a poo
named river, the Merdanca (the shit stream). In the 13th Century, Jaume
1 built a wall to enclose the Gothic city, The rambla was the zone
outside the exterior wall.</div>
<div dir="ltr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3474/3231392715_db9d494c9f.jpg" alt="" height="375" width="500"></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<h3><img src="http://maps.gstatic.com/intl/es_es/mapfiles/ms/micons/yellow-dot.white.png" alt="" height="32" width="32"> La boqueria market</h3>
<div>
<div dir="ltr">A wonderful food market in the heart of the city. Go in
and see the sights, hear the sounds, smell the food, taste the
richness. <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2009/04/my-trip-to-barcelona.html#axzz16teHQLu2">Guy Kawakaski</a> was very impressed with it and made a nice foto folder of his time <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://gallery.me.com/gkawasaki#100316&view=carouseljs&sel=0">there</a>.</div>
</div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2501/3883252857_b5bfb6cba1.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<h3><img src="http://maps.gstatic.com/intl/es_es/mapfiles/ms/micons/green-dot.white.png" alt="" height="32" width="32"> Raval</h3>
<div dir="ltr">The part of the city known once as Barri Xino (the
chinese neighbourhood). Its the most multicultural part of the city and
has much hidden gems, it still is a bit rough, with pimps, druggies and
prostitutes hanging out. Go explore, but be careful.</div>
<div dir="ltr"><img src="http://www.denuncia-social.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/putas_el_raval.gif" alt="" height="316" width="500"></div>
</div>
</div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;"><img src="http://maps.gstatic.com/intl/es_es/mapfiles/ms/micons/yellow-dot.white.png" alt="" height="32" width="32"> El Call, the Jewish Ghetto</h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;" dir="ltr">One of the narrowest
streets in the city. In the old days people would have crossed from
roof to roof, as the Jewish community was closed off from the rest of
the city. Europes oldest synagogue is housed here.The Jews have had a
terrible time in most places, including Barcelona. In the 1300´s they
were blamed for the Black death and there were pogroms. In 1492 they
were finally exiled from the city.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;" dir="ltr"><img src="http://www.travel-watch.com/images/barcelona.jpg" alt="" height="308" width="411"></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;" dir="ltr">
<div dir="ltr">
<h3><img src="http://maps.gstatic.com/intl/es_es/mapfiles/ms/micons/yellow-dot.white.png" alt="" height="32" width="32"> Europes oldest synagogue</h3>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;" dir="ltr">
<div dir="ltr">View this site of much history at Carrer de Marlet, 5. More info about the history of Barcelona’s Jewish community at <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.calldebarcelona.org/eindex.html">www.calldebarcelona.org</a><img src="http://www.calldebarcelona.org/imatges/exterior2.jpg" alt=""></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;" dir="ltr">
<h3><img src="http://maps.gstatic.com/intl/es_es/mapfiles/ms/micons/yellow-dot.white.png" alt="" height="32" width="32"> Plaça de Sant Felip Neri</h3>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div dir="ltr">One of the cities most beautiful squares, site of childrens schools Bombed by Hitler during <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Civil_War">Spanish civil war</a>, later used as zone of execution of anti fascists when Franco won the war.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;" dir="ltr"><img src="http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/small/582589.jpg" alt="" height="180" width="240"></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;" dir="ltr">
<div dir="ltr">
<div>
<div>
<div dir="ltr">Plaça de Sant Felip Neri</div>
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<div>
<div>
<p><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Savoia-Marchetti_SM.81.jpg"><img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/f0/Savoia-Marchetti_SM.81.jpg/220px-Savoia-Marchetti_SM.81.jpg" alt="" height="179" width="240"></a></p>
<div>Nationalist aircraft bomb Madrid in late November 1936.</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Barcelona_bombing.jpg"><img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0b/Barcelona_bombing.jpg/220px-Barcelona_bombing.jpg" alt="" height="153" width="236"></a></p>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;" dir="ltr">Bombing in <a rel="nofollow" title="Barcelona" target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barcelona">Barcelona</a>, 1938. during the <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Civil_War">Spanish civil war</a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;" dir="ltr">
<h3><img src="http://maps.gstatic.com/intl/es_es/mapfiles/ms/micons/yellow-dot.white.png" alt="" height="32" width="32"> Placa Nova</h3>
<div>
<div dir="ltr">Outside the old Roman North gate, 1 of 4 leading from
the old Roman city. You can see the last bit of the aquaduct. (Detalle
ciudad <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://domusapientiae.wordpress.com/2010/05/09/origenes-de-barcino/">Barcino</a>.)</div>
<div dir="ltr"><img title="Barcino: Barcelona during the Roman Empire" src="http://www.nnexperiences.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/barcino.jpg" alt="Barcino: Barcelona during the Roman Empire" height="303" width="454"></div>
<div dir="ltr"><img src="http://images.travelpod.com/users/heyco/heycotravel.1138400160.37820131.jpg" alt="" height="363" width="454"></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<h3><img src="http://maps.gstatic.com/intl/es_es/mapfiles/ms/micons/yellow-dot.white.png" alt="" height="32" width="32"> City Architecture School – Picassos Miro joke</h3>
<div dir="ltr">A funny story for an ugly 1970´s building</div>
<div dir="ltr">.<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2553/3794801626_d8903dee8c.jpg" alt="" height="333" width="500"></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<h3><img src="http://maps.gstatic.com/intl/es_es/mapfiles/ms/micons/yellow-dot.white.png" alt="" height="32" width="32">Barcelona Cathedral</h3>
<div>
<div dir="ltr">The 14th Century cathedral dedicated to Santa Eulalia,
still has an internal cloister garden within which there are always 13
white geese, 1 to sybolise each year of the life of the saint.</div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr"><img src="http://images.travelpod.com/users/jonbunston/1.1224688440.geese-barcelona-cathedral.jpg" alt=""></div>
</div>
<h3><img src="http://maps.gstatic.com/intl/es_es/mapfiles/ms/micons/green-dot.white.png" alt="" height="32" width="32">Santa Catarina market</h3>
<div dir="ltr">
<div dir="ltr">A bold colorful architecture, a retrofit of a local food
market, of which each barrio still has their own, serving local fresh
fruit and vegetables.</div>
<div dir="ltr"><img src="http://www.thecityreview.com/spain2.jpg" alt=""></div>
</div>
<h3><img src="http://maps.gstatic.com/intl/es_es/mapfiles/ms/micons/yellow-dot.white.png" alt="" height="32" width="32"> Roman Barcelona</h3>
<div>
<div dir="ltr">You can view down through the windows of the city
history museum, to see the amazing ruins of the Roman city, 5 metres
below the present level.</div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr"><img src="http://sobreespana.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/museo-de-historia.jpg" alt=""></div>
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<h3><img src="http://maps.gstatic.com/intl/es_es/mapfiles/ms/micons/yellow-dot.white.png" alt="" height="32" width="32"> The Kings steps – Placa del Rei</h3>
<div dir="ltr">Another gem of a square in the Gothic quarter. This is
where Colombus reported back that there was a New WorldIn the evenings
you can see people sitting out on the steps, sharing beer or playing
music. Quiet often there are Catalan dancing evenings and free city
concerts here.</div>
<div dir="ltr"><img src="http://sobrebarcelona.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/placa-del-rei.jpg" alt="http://sobrebarcelona.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/placa-del-rei.jpg" height="302" width="451"></div>
<div dir="ltr"><img src="http://itsafunnyoldworld.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/colonenbarcelona.jpg?w=224&h=157" alt="http://itsafunnyoldworld.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/colonenbarcelona.jpg?w=224&h=157" height="157" width="224"></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;"><img src="http://maps.gstatic.com/intl/es_es/mapfiles/ms/micons/yellow-dot.white.png" alt="" height="32" width="32"> Hairy Willy</h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div dir="ltr">The stories of the “Father of Catalunya”, St George and
the Dragon and the Kings Jewish wall. Later We will hear how he is
related to the Catalan flag, the sanyera, and a bit about dragons,
roses, virgins and romance…</div>
<div dir="ltr"><img src="http://www.barcelona-tourist-information.info/images/wilfreddragon.jpg" alt="" height="226" width="250"></div>
<div dir="ltr"><img title="rose's day catalonian tradition Stock Photo" src="http://eu.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/nito500/nito5000906/nito500090600446/5115193-rose-s-day-catalonian-tradition.jpg" alt="rose's day catalonian tradition Stock Photo - 5115193" border="0" height="449" width="300"></div>
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<h3 style="text-align: justify;"><img src="http://maps.gstatic.com/intl/es_es/mapfiles/ms/micons/yellow-dot.white.png" alt="" height="32" width="32"> Old gardens of the Spanish viceroy</h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div>
<div dir="ltr">Now housing the Crown of Aragon archives, <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.ritmodominicano.com/wiki.php?title=Archivo_de_la_Corona_de_Arag%C3%B3n">Archivo General de la Corona de Aragón</a>,
a wonderful example of a cool interior space, with flowing water and
much greenery creating a microclimate to cool the rooms surrounding, an
example found in much muslim architecture.</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;" dir="ltr"><img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7b/Palau_del_Lloctinent.jpg" alt="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7b/Palau_del_Lloctinent.jpg" height="338" width="451"></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;"><img src="http://maps.gstatic.com/intl/es_es/mapfiles/ms/micons/yellow-dot.white.png" alt="" height="32" width="32"> Cathedral gargolyes and the Senyera</h3>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div dir="ltr">The Cities Cahedral, like many other Gothic buildings,
has gargoyles (demons to warn away evil spirits, that double up as
excess rain water run offs) but in this case they are of farmyard
animalsAlongside we will see 1 of the many Senyera, the Catalan flag.
We will hear of its origins and a little more about Catalan identity
and life, like their dislike of bull fighting and their love of human
tower building.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;" dir="ltr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3290/2729137842_d814468c47.jpg?v=0" alt="" height="333" width="500"></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;" dir="ltr"><img class="alignnone" src="http://www.pintoresdelalma.com.ar/es-catalonia-flag1s.gif" alt="" height="54" width="76"></div>
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<h3><img src="http://maps.gstatic.com/intl/es_es/mapfiles/ms/micons/yellow-dot.white.png" alt="" height="32" width="32"> Roman Forum</h3>
</div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<div>
<div dir="ltr">The peak of mount Tabor, behind an old door, old remnants of the Roman city can be viewed.</div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr"><img src="http://images.travelpod.com/users/isaacfitz/europe-2007.1192263600.roman-ruins.jpg" alt=""></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<h3><img src="http://maps.gstatic.com/intl/es_es/mapfiles/ms/micons/yellow-dot.white.png" alt="" height="32" width="32"> Placa de San Jaume</h3>
</div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<div>
<div dir="ltr">This is the centre of power, hasn’t moved far in 2000
years. The city hall, the ayutamento, stands on the sea side and facing
it is the Generalitat, or centre of power for the state of Catalunya.
The square sees a lot of demonstrations…</div>
<div dir="ltr"><img src="http://higiniherrero.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/macia-placa-sant-jaume.jpg?w=450" alt="http://higiniherrero.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/macia-placa-sant-jaume.jpg?w=450"></div>
<div dir="ltr">The political heart of Catalunya is filled during the outbreak of the civil war.</div>
<div dir="ltr"><img src="http://estaticos.20minutos.es/img/2006/07/20/498245.jpg" alt="http://estaticos.20minutos.es/img/2006/07/20/498245.jpg" height="300" width="451"></div>
<div dir="ltr">The political heart of Catalunya is filled during the outbreak of the Iraq war.</div>
</div>
<div>
<h3><img src="http://maps.gstatic.com/intl/es_es/mapfiles/ms/micons/yellow-dot.white.png" alt="" height="32" width="32">Square with kids playground</h3>
</div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<div dir="ltr">After democracy was restored, one of the first acts of
urbanism, was to open up spaces for the public to congregate again.
This is one of the few in the Barri Gothic, but in it you can see how
well used kids zones are here. Kids are valued in Spain and it is
normal to see fathers after work rolling around on the ground with
their kids, which is seen to less of an extent in the colder northern
countries.</div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr"><img src="http://www.deliciousbaby.com/static/content/journal/site/2008/lead/tn-barcelona_playground-550x450-rd10.jpg" alt="" height="450" width="361"></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<h3><img src="http://maps.gstatic.com/intl/es_es/mapfiles/ms/micons/yellow-dot.white.png" alt="" height="32" width="32"> Travel Bound</h3>
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<div>Carrer de Milans, 7</div>
<div>08002 Barcelona</div>
<div><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://maps.google.es/maps/ms?hl=es&gl=es&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=116723910549637752730.0004952bdceb35a1f90dc">Cómo llegar</a></div>
<div>933 191 662</div>
<div>
<div><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://maps.google.es/local_url?q=http://www.tbtravelbound.com/&dq=Travelbound&ftid=11243412823682796525&lyr=h%40137&iwp=maps_app&gl=es&hl=es&view=smartmaps&sll=41.380701,2.179075&ei=MariTISFFaDNjAf_q63GAg&callback=_xdc_._84ggkyx6ea&oi=miw&sa=X&ct=miw_link&cd=1&cad=homepage,cid:11243412823682796525&s=ANYYN7kCQAAjgOMCj3m6wcsV6M4vY_NY7A">http://www.travelbar.com/uk/</a></div>
</div>
<div><img src="http://www.travelbar.com/uk/img/banner/logo.gif" alt=""></div>
<div>
<h3><img src="http://maps.gstatic.com/intl/es_es/mapfiles/ms/micons/yellow-dot.white.png" alt="" height="32" width="32">Picassos art school</h3>
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<div dir="ltr"><em><a rel="nofollow" title="Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Demoiselles_d%27Avignon">Les Demoiselles d’Avignon</a> or “</em>Las señoritas de Avinyó”: Remember that famous Cubist painting by Picasso, come here and find out the full story…</div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr"><img src="http://itsafunnyoldworld.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/picasso_avignon5b15d_jpg.jpg?w=451&h=469" alt="" height="469" width="451"></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<h3><img src="http://maps.gstatic.com/intl/es_es/mapfiles/ms/micons/yellow-dot.white.png" alt="" height="32" width="32"> Placa George Orwell</h3>
</div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<div dir="ltr">George Orwell was a famous British author who came to
fight against facism during the Spanish civil war. He got shot and this
triangular square was named after him. Its more locally known as Placa
Trippi.</div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr"><img src="http://files.nireblog.com/blogs4/laverdayementira/files/ironia.jpg" alt="http://files.nireblog.com/blogs4/laverdayementira/files/ironia.jpg" height="568" width="426"></div>
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<h2>A few links, films etc…</h2>
<p>- 1492, was when Colombus “found” the new world. On his return to
Spain he delivered his news of this world on the steps of Placa del Rei
(the Kings square)</p>
<p><span style="text-align: center; display: block;"> </span></p>
<p>- <strong><em>“Més que un club”</em></strong>, meaning <strong><em>‘More than a club</em></strong>‘: <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FC_Barcelona">Barca</a>,
one of the greatest football teams in Europe at present. In 2009 they
won the triple: the cup, the league, the European champions league. As
ever, the fans go mad with celebrating, in many ways they see it as a
win for Catalunya over Spain and beyond.</p>
<p><span style="text-align: center; display: block;"> </span></p>
<p>- The recently UNESCO patrimony to humanity past time of Catalunya; making human towers- <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.europapress.es/catalunya/noticia-castells-declarados-patrimonio-inmaterial-humanidad-unesco-20101116165914.html">Castells</a></p>
<p><span style="text-align: center; display: block;"> </span></p>
<p>- CAGA, shit… Ok, so, a rather strange part of Catalan culture is
their open and celebrational views on that basic of human functions…
Shitting.</p>
<p>Here is the Catalan only tradition of kids beating a log of wood called <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ti%C3%B3_de_Nadal">CAGA TIO</a>, or UNCLE SHIT, and they sing a lovely little ditty…</p>
<p><span style="text-align: center; display: block;"> </span></p>
<blockquote>
<h3>Shit Uncle, Youd better shit out some sweeties, and none of that
smeely salty fish, shit us out some sweets, which are much better…
(more or less)</h3>
</blockquote>
<p>So, as well as that fella, they also have <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.ciutatoci.com/festes/images/i06/caganer_r250.jpg">EL CAGANER</a>,
or THE SHITTER. In the cribs, where the 3 kings are visiting the newly
born baby Jesus, out the back there is always a Catalan fellow going
for a dump, i shit you not…. Catalunya</p>
<p><span style="text-align: center; display: block;"> </span></p>
<p>- About the <a rel="nofollow" title="Spanish Civil War" target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Civil_War">Spanish Civil War</a>, a great way to get an idea about what was going on is to watch Ken Loaches film <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_and_Freedom">Land and Freedom</a> (Tierra y Libertad)</p>
<p><span style="text-align: center; display: block;"> </span></p>
<p>- Heres a view of what Barcelona was like when Franco seized power,
which he held from 1939, after the final fall of Barcelona, untill his
death in 1975</p>
<p><span style="text-align: center; display: block;"> </span></p>
<p>- The maddest Barrio (neighbourhood) festival: <a rel="nofollow" title="Permanent Link to ECO ECO ECO – Viva San Xibeco" target="_blank" href="http://itsafunnyoldworld.wordpress.com/2010/10/10/2009/11/16/sanxibeco/">ECO ECO ECO – Viva San Xibeco</a></p>
<p><span style="text-align: center; display: block;"> </span></p>
<p>- Scenes of anger, violence, fire, rubber bullets on the <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.indymedia.ie/article/97786">streets of Barcelona during the National strike</a> on September 29th 2010</p>
<p><img title="Click on image to see full-sized version" src="http://www.indymedia.ie/attachments/sep2010/el_periodico.jpg" alt="(EL PERIODICO) Day of struggle and fire" height="449" width="320"><br>
(EL PERIODICO) <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.elperiodico.com/es/noticias/economia/20100930/700-antisistema-convierten-campo-batalla-centro-barcelona/506734.shtml">Day of struggle and fire</a></p>
<p><span style="text-align: center; display: block;"> </span></p>
<p>- An article with a 3 part audio documentary about activism, art, gardening and a bit of history about the city: <a rel="nofollow" title="Permanent Link to Bold, Beautiful, Blooming Barcelona asks: What would it mean to win?" target="_blank" href="http://itsafunnyoldworld.wordpress.com/2010/10/10/2009/03/09/garden-radio-trilogy/">Bold, Beautiful, Blooming Barcelona asks: What would it mean to win?</a></p>
<p>(This article is being continually edited and re-edited, commentry appreciated)</p>
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<div style="text-align: justify;" dir="ltr"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:PicassoGuernica.jpg"><img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/74/PicassoGuernica.jpg/350px-PicassoGuernica.jpg" alt="" height="157" width="350"></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;" dir="ltr"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guernica_%28painting%29">Guernica</a> by <a rel="nofollow" title="Pablo Picasso" target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pablo_Picasso">Pablo Picasso</a></div><br></div><br>
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