A few months ago, I sat down with my family to chow down on our routine weekend breakfast — homemade pancakes. I tipped over my bottle of American-imported maple syrup only to see a few piddly drops coming through. Gah. Unless I want to fork out 25 euros at my specialty health food shop, I’m just not…
Author: Justine Ancheta
California native, churro aficionado, and mom of 3, Justine Ancheta writes fervently about Barcelona and Spain. Since 2008, she's been eating burnt onions (calçots) and tripping on cobblestones in the Gothic Quarter. She shares tips on popular attractions, exposes offbeat non-touristy spots, and gives insight on exploring Barcelona with kids. Her next Catalan culture challenge: top level of a human castle (castellers).
Glòries: Recreating an Epicenter
The cityscape of Barcelona is getting a makeover. The Torre Agbar, the Centro Comercial Les Glòries, Encants Vells flea market, and the new DHUB design center all call Glòries home. Soon the transforming plaza will redeem itself as the center of the Catalan capital. Being named “a new lung at the heart of Barcelona”, the up-and-coming…
Barcelona’s Non-Traditional Nativity Scene: Yay or Nay?
My family and I arrived at Plaça Sant Jaume to check out an awesome annual Christmas tradition in Barcelona. That would be the city’s official pessebre vivent, or living Nativity scene. It’s usually an extensive and elaborate pastoral landscape framing a grand moment in history — the birth of Jesus 2,000 years ago. We were looking forward to…
Handmade Love at Museu Marítim
It was a long two days. I had two kids at home with crusty eyes and goopy snot coming out of their noses. I was the official booger wiper, mess cleaner, and at-home entertainer. This was Thursday and Friday, and I was getting some major mommy cabin fever. When Saturday rolled around, my husband could…
City of Lights
Barcelona at night is glistening right now. With all its holiday lights illuminating the streets, the city was beckoning us to come out and enjoy the Christmas glory. We intentionally left at late afternoon and waited for dusk to set in to see them turn on. And as soon as it hit 6pm, the city…
Las Ramblas: Barcelona’s Vibrant Promenade
It’s entertaining and often gritty. And it’s a must-see in Barcelona — Las Ramblas. Before going, I wondered if we’d see Ronaldinho performing tricks of fancy footwork with his soccer ball or if we’d catch any illegal gambling along the pedestrian walkway. I’ve walked this street numerous times, and the experience is never the same…
Mercat de Mercats – The Mother of Markets
I’d been wanting to go to the Mercat de Mercats ever since its first event four years ago. I kept missing this feast for the eyes and stomach. This annual food fair features local vendors and restaurants who give visitors a taste of Catalan cuisine. Attendees could also check out some cooking workshops from famed…
Our Local Party: Festa de Sant Martí
I live in a quiet and off-center neighborhood of Barcelona, Sant Martí. It’s still in the city, but you will definitely not see any tourists with a large map unfolded before them. We have good schools, a colorful food market, quiet restaurants, cafés, supermarkets, and a busy rambla that gets plenty of rush-hour pedestrian and…
