Field of Flowers

This was taken on the trail somewhere between the spanish enclave of Llivia and the town of Ur, France. 

Campos de Catalunya

The Forest Floor

When I walk in the woods, I'm often so focused on the destination that it's easy to forget to look around and enjoy the beauty along the way.

Definitely not edible

Arròs

One of the traditions I love being in the Catalan countryside is cooking Paella and Arròs (rice) outside on a wood fire with friends. This day was spent at La Catxaruda in Gallifa, just outside of Barcelona.

Cutting fresh Rosemary to aromatize the fire

Friends chatting together

Starting the fire

The Chef at work

Flavoring the rice with chicken and ham

The seafood

Burning the aromatics

Time to eat

Webs

We get so focused on labeling each other that we forget that we are all human and we are all connected. The spider's web reminds me of that connection; sometimes seemingly invisible, but strong and persistent nonetheless. As a government(s) tries to sew fear, create enemies, and disconnect us, remember that we are all inhabitants of the same planet and all connected to each other. We ALL need each other to thrive.

A Winter's Dream

On the border of Catalunya and Aragon lies the small village of La Clua. It has 5 residents. On a cold and grey winter day in Barcelona, I dream of looking out over this field as the daylight wanes.

The Road to Cabrales

Just after the rain cleared as we drove to the mountain town of Arenas de Cabrales, we stopped at a lookout to catch a breathtaking view of the valley.

Cardona Countryside

La Dreta de l'Eixample

El Fuego de Tibidabo

El Tibidabo al atardecer

Sant Pere de Rodes

the monastery of Sant Pere de Rodes 

Plaza Dos de Mayo

Someone gave him a weapon.

The House on the Hill

La Diada : September 11, 2013

On September 11th, Catalans celebrate La Diada, or the national day of Catalunya.  This year, the 299th year since losing their independence to Spain on September 11th, 1714, hundreds of thousands of Catalans joined hands in an unbroken chain from Alcanar to El Voló (the north border of Valencia to the north of the pyrenees, about 250 miles) forming la Via Catalana.  The chain linked completely at 17:14 (5:14PM) and chants of Independencia could be heard throughout the city.  Catalans want a referendum that would allow independence from Spain.  Here's a news article from the day (in English) to read a bit more.

The new Centre Cultural in the Born was opened to the public on this day.

The ruins uncovered are remnants of Barcelona in 1714.

Paella feed 

At the Fossar de les Moreres (adjacent to the Basílica de Santa Maria del Mar), honouring the Catalans buried there, who died defending Barcelona from the Spanish on the siege of 1714. The torch with the eternal flame was inaugurated in 2001.

Lights on the Water

You can see Montjuic and Andreu Alfaro's "Onades" in the background