The Caganer, Another Catalan Christmas Crapper

We’re in a poopy mess here these holidays. Here’s a curious Catalan Christmas tradition that has to do with the act of defecation (other than the caga tió). And that’s the caganer, the “crapper”, or bluntly, the “shitter”. It’s a ceramic statuette of a person or fictional character squatting over a pile of poop. And it’s meant…

The Media-TIC Building and its Supergreen Design

It’s green everything. Its design, building materials, and even paint color. And it’s almost a net-zero building, meaning it relies on itself for its heating, cooling, and electricity needs. I finally got to visit the Media-TIC building during the 48h Open House Barcelona event. Its strange / modern / beehive  / cubic design caught my attention while driving by one…

Can Framis Museum: Space, Light, & Modern Catalan Art

As 22@ currently grows as a hot technological and innovation center in the Poblenou area, remnants of the former industrial hub still stand. And Museu Can Framis preserves that memory. What was once was a textile factory is now a renovated museum of contemporary Catalan art.  The museum opened its doors in 2009. Before that, it was two…

Parc de L’Oreneta: Mini Train Rides in Barcelona

My son was obsessed with trains, and it was high time we took him to the Parc de l’Oreneta, a leafy park near Collserola in Sarrià-Sant Gervasi. While the park has lots to offer like hiking areas, playgrounds, ping pong tables, rich vegetation, and more, the steam train is the most popular attraction. The Parc de…

Supersize It: Playing Big at Parc de Francesc Macià

Let’s say you want to feel tiny — just for fun. I’m talking “Honey I Shrunk the Kids” tiny. Well there’s a spectacular park in Catalonia where little ones (and big ones) can pretend they’re as big as their thumb. It’s at the Parc de Francesc Macià in Malgrat de Mar. It’s just one hour away…

Junk or Treasure? The Sunday Market at Sant Antoni

For movie fanatics, memorabillia collectors, book enthusiasts, frikis, or comic nerds in Barcelona, Sant Antoni’s Sunday market is for you. If you’ve never hit up the Mercat Dominical de Sant Antoni, you haven’t seen the rows and rows of vendors selling dusty books and music in all formats from yesteryear. Let’s say you can’t find Top…

The Ostentatious and Decorative Streets of Festa Major de Gràcia 2015

Hi, everyone! July robbed August of all of the heat, so it seems we have a mild and rainy August. I’m not complaining. It’s perfect for being outdoors in the city! Also, you cannot miss the Festa Major de Gràcia in Barcelona. It’s the neighborhood festival of concerts, films, workshops, eating, drinking beers, and more…