Friendly Smiles, Anyone???

I have been in BCN for almost two years now, but never can get used to the fact that people here don't smile back at you!! As an American, it is normal to pass someone on the street or in the grocery store and flash a friendly, "hello" by way of a smile. Many times when I do this in Barcelona, I get the strangest reactions! Most often, they just stare back at me like I'm loca. After asking around, it seems that people here are not nearly as open as we are back home and feel as if you are invading their personal space or "coming on" to them by smiling. Strange!!!!

Jennifer Love

Black and Yellow

Did you know that all taxis in Barcelona - black and yellow? And why?

It was decided that all taxis will be black-and-yellow, by special order of the City Hall, which was published in 1926.

Incidentally, according to the Catalan symbolism, black is the color of mourning, and yellow - the color of shame. So taxis in Barcelona carry on themselves mourning and shame.

These two colors were chosen for the memory of Gaudi. Antonio Gaudi died in the same city, which he built himself: if there would be no Gaudi - there would not be Barcelona as now.

For its worldwide fame Barcelona owes to its wonderful architect who built the houses without fancy design engineers, without blueprints, without calculation and without a plan.

On the 7th of June, in 1926 Antonio Gaudi, as usual, was walking around the city. He was seventy- four years old and he was very badly dressed on that day. And the old Gaudi did not notice the iron monster- the tram.

Neither trooper did not budge, no car driver stopped to help him and drop to the hospital - it was obvious that the old man could not pay for the trip, so he was taken to a hospital for the poor people by Barcelona guards.

Three days the city, knocking down, searching for their Gaudi – yet nobody thought to look for him in the hospital for the poor people, where he died without regaining consciousness.

And then Barcelona City Hall ordered all cabbies and taxi drivers throughout the city, now and forever to wear a color of mourning for the great Gaudi and color of shame of human callousness.

Written by: Akerke Makhanova

Dogs are everywhere

I' ve been to many countries and many cities but never seen any city that has such a big amount of dog lovers who are walking on the streets with their beloved dogs. Seems like, every 1st or 2nd person in Barcelona has a dog in the house, and sometimes the number can go up to 4-5 dogs. Surprising, yet so weird that these dogs are well behaved and dogs do not roar to each other and do not even bark on people. What do Barcelonians do to their dogs to be so calm and peaceful?

In any other country I used to bypass the road if there is any dog on it, because I am used to think that some dogs can be really aggressive and got prepared for unexpected actions from dogs. I am a pet lover, I do love dogs. But, I am kind of fed up of stepping on the dog's poop at all times. Why don't some dog owners pick up after their pets? Watch where you step, because they are everywhere.

It is a great place to dog lovers and a nightmare to those who have phobia for dogs.  Hands up, dog lovers! If you don't have your own pet but you love dogs, you still have an opportunity to see and play with plenty of them outside. Majority of dog lovers here are kind and open minded. For those who are afraid of dogs, hold on, stay calm and don't be nervous. Dogs in Barcelona are everywhere, but they are all nice, because they are Barcelonians.

Written by Nazerke Makhanova

Time for a rest?-“Siesta”

Siesta is the time when all Spaniards, without exception, have a rest. The word "siesta" comes from the word "six o'clock." Spaniards, especially Andalusia residents believe that if you “do siesta" every day, it significantly improves health.

Many shops, bars and restaurants are closed at siesta time, and only in the area where lots of tourists walk, open their doors to its visitors. Therefore, local shops, churches, banks and public institutions adjust to this style of life. Many stores are open from 10 am to 2 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 8.30 p.m., leaving a nice break for lunch and a siesta. Spaniards use any opportunity to arrange a mini- vacation (puente).

Keep that in mind if you're on business.

Siesta very disadvantageous event from an economic point of view, but the Spaniards are very proud of their traditions and worry about their health. This nation simply has other priorities. In a country where the sun always shines, almost impossible to work under pressure. The Spaniards’ nervous system is in excellent condition. Siesta - is a tradition that is observed not the first millennium. Over time, even foreigners get used to it and furthermore there are a lot of pluses.

So for me, as a Kazakhstan citizen, where we have only 1 hour for a launch break, or in some cases do not have it at all, it is weird how people can have a rest for about 4 hours during the daytime.

Written by Dana Tusseyeva

Is it done yet?  "La Sagrada Familia"

I had a chance to go and visit La Sagrada Famila, is an interesting temple in that has most magnificent sculptures detailing seen anywhere, it is as you cross the border between dreams and reality. Light, bright colors, the symbolism of forms inspired from nature create a unique dream atmosphere.

The building is in the center of Barcelona, and over the years it has become one of the most universal signs of identity of the city and the country. It is visited by millions of people every year.

Which is weird for me is Spain has the only building in the world that is famous and it isn't even finished yet, the work on the church, which was designed by legendary Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi, began 132 years ago, in 1882, and continues to this day.

It is expected to be finished in 2026, but no one knows when it’s going to be done...

Sagrada Familia

Written by: Baya Mesloub

Live Crabs at the Market? That’s Weird Barcelona...

Something I found weird when first visiting Spain when I was a kid was all the live crabs at the food market. Coming from Sweden, this is something that I had never seen and found it very weird.

Now, several years later I live in Barcelona and had a friend visit me. We did the regular touristic tour which of course includes visiting La Boqueria Market on Las Ramblas. We walked around and passed the sea food area and I had a good laugh when my friend suddenly yelled out “WTF, are they alive?!” with an expression on his face as if he had seen a ghost. I had forgotten how weird that sight is for Swedes but was entertainingly reminded that day.

In Sweden most sea food is frozen but here it is mostly fresh. Big markets like La Boqueria are very uncommon in Sweden and most food is imported. Maybe that’s why no one has heard about Swedish cosine whine Spanish cosine is famous and popular all around the world. Also, eating octopus and clams? That’s also weird but that’s a story for another time.

Written by: David Dickens