Local traditions and culture in Barcelona

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One of my sister Alison's favourite things about her first trip to Barcelona (and Spain for that matter) was churros! Churros are a fried dough snack that originated in Spain, and are popular for breakfast or a snack throughout the day.

A churro is a high fat treat. The dough is squeezed out through a machine called a 'churrera', and this creates long, ridged bits of dough. They are then fried in oil until they are crunchy on the outside and a little doughy still in the middle.

The best way to eat them is to dip them in hot chocolate - how evil is that!!

We came across a fabulous old churrerias - a shop specialising in them - and couldn't resist an afternoon snack : )

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In every neighborhood of Barcelona and Catalunya you will have these popular markets where you will find the most fresh food, vegetables and meat, and all over household products.

The most famous one is "La Boqueria" in the Ramblas, but it is not necessary my favourite.

FC Barcelona is one of the leading football clubs in the world. The last 4 years have been fantastics the FC Barcelona. With Ronaldinho, Eto´o and Messi doing goals and more goals, FCB won every championship they played. Barça is very popular down here, although you have also the Reial Club Espanyol in the city.

Enjoy visiting their stadium, "Camp Nou" and buying some presents from the many "Barça Botigas" you will find.

My son is a FC Barcelona fun. But first of all he is a fun of the Argentina football team (see the picture) and of course, Boca Juniors from Buenos Aires.

take a look these pages...the first show a rain radar for Catalunya update every 12 minutes
The second one is just the forecast for next days

http://www.meteocat.com/marcs/marcos_observacio/marcs_radar.htm

http://www.tvcatalunya.com/eltemps/

One of the things that I was most impressed by during my time in Spain was the relaxed, easy-going vibe that I got. Everyone I met seemed really chilled out, and in all the time I've spent there, I don't think I ever saw someone in a rush!!

Each afternoon small shops and other places of work shut for a couple of hours for a relaxing kip. This is what they call siesta, and if you ask me it sounds like a bloody good idea!

Would you believe that it's legal to have marijuana plants growing in your house in Spain?! Anyone (over 18 i presume) is allowed possess 2 pot(t) plants of the marijuana variety!
While in Spain i dipped my proverbial finger into green paint, and began my own career as as horticulture-er.

I was a bit shocked to see this in such a large city, but there were countless stray cats roaming the city. Especially near Montju?c and Palau Nacional. They're all so cute, but you can't help feel bad for these little creatures. I'm not sure if this large stray population can be attributed to negligence on behalf of the city's government or just an uncontrollable problem.

This little kitty was minding its own business, answering a call to mother nature, when all of a sudden it realized it was also posing for VT'ers all around the world!

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You find the tourist office at Plaza Catalunya, and it can be little difficult to see it. It is found under the square, and you go there through the stairs.