Snowboarding in the Pyrenees (Photos)

As I sit in my front room I notice there is a change, the sun beaming in light through the french doors is brightening up my living room and heating up the atmosphere.

Spring is coming. 

 I love spring for its daylight, longer days and change in people's mood. Despite that this is great news I am in part sad because it means that snowboarding season for me is close to an end. Since my boyfriend bought me an Airtracks Snowboard for Christmas I knew I would have more possibilites of hitting the slopes than other years and to finally master the sport I love.

 

Last week I had a fantastic weekend with my Friends and Family snowboaring it up in the Pyrenees. Its only a 1 hour and 40 minute drive and is worth visiting at least once. This season I have managed to go several times, so as a homage I will post some pictures that I have taken throughout the months.

 You don't only have to come and ski, DIR prepared this spinning class in the snow in La Masella. I was just a spectator but good on them all. Very original.

The snow is obviously an add on to these pictures.

 Night skiing in La Masella is a must.  Apparantly they are the only slopes in Europe that permit night skiing. Its not expensive and worth doing at least once. Maybe wait like we did until March as the weather is less cold and it makes it all the more enjoyable.

 

 

Ever seen a circular rainbow?

In La Masella I was fortunate enough to see it and even take a picture of this magical yet natural beauty.

 The following pictures are of me snowboaring in Portée France, just over the border from Puigcerda, Spain. It maybe a 30 minute drive and its nice. It mainly consists of Green and blue slopes and I found it good to get some practice.  Maybe if you are a pro you wouldn´t find it challenging enough although we did see a snow park with great ramps to jump. Its definitely cheaper to ski in France but maybe slightly colder.

Snowboarding through Little forests is priceless.

Andorra, La Pas de la Casa.

 One of my favourite pictures, sitting above the clouds.

If you ever get the chance to go to La Cerdanya I recommend in Summer or Winter as there are sports and great things to see all year round.

  

All pictures were taken with my great and trusted Samsung SIII, there is an App lets you take aprox 20 pictures at a very fast speed which then creates this fantastic GIF.

Thanks to everyone who made this season so enjoyable. Can´t wait for the next one to begin.

 

 

 

If you want to know the best way to end a skiing weekend then take my advice and visit natural termal springs. There are many of them around but I have visited the Bains de Llo in Llo, France and they are worth it. 11 € to enter and you can spend as long as you like. I am the type to get tired though so an hour was enough for me. So make sure you take your swimming gear with you on your trip.

Citizen of Earth having a Rant

I know I have blogged several posts on Spain and Catalonia and this ongoing political battle they have had many a times. I try not to be biased with my posts as I'm not only partly Spanish but I am partly Catalan too. But what I do want to post about is the ignorance parents are teaching their children.

As a teacher I have noticed the different types of students I have and what beliefs they also have been taught to have.
I teach English at a language school and the other day I was teaching my group of 8 year olds. I told one of the kids that he spelt the days of the week wrong, (he spelt all the days ending in I instead of y, mondai)
I told the student, in English you write the words ending in Y and the student replied to me, but i'm Catalan and this is how we write.
I was rather surprised with that comment considering this is an 8 year old kid who doesn't know about politics but knows that Catalonia should be seperate from Spain and that Catalan is more important to him that Spanish and English put together. The only people that can be teaching this kid, which is one of many kids is either their parents or teachers at school.

I don't want to go against anyones thoughts on politics but  I don't agree with brainwashing kids either. Isn't a child that can speak Spanish and Catalan a lot richer in knowledge than a Kid that only speaks one language like Catalan which is only spoken in one part of Spain? Isn't Spanish far more important to learn considering it is one of the most spoken languages? Shouldn't we be teaching our kids it is better to have knowledge and culture from different backgrounds?

I don't want to go against people ethics and beliefs but I do believe people shoul stop being si ignorant and teaching their children a one sided view of politics. Spain is a beautiful country full of culture, the South and North of Spain are completely different just like the North and South of the UK, or Italy or any other country.

Why not teach your kids to appreciate the two languages this country has to offer? I understand we who live in Catalonia should speak Catalan but parents need to stop limiting their children with speaking only Catalan, this is not a way of keeping the culture and language alive, it is a way of dumbing down your kids and being facist to other people across Spain.
I don't want to generalize but I really can't understand the obsession.
We know  Catalans suffered a lot and believe they will be better independent but until that day arises it's time to embrace your neighbours, being Spanish, Portugues, Morroccon or from wherever and opening your mind to everyone.

When I first moved here I ended up detesting Catalan because people were forcing me to speak the language, I never learnt it properly. I have had several experiences like this, I also went to my local GP and got a telling off for not speaking in Catalan, I thought, why should I if I can communicate better in Spanish. I went to Italy and in two months I was speaking Italian because no one was forcing me. Just the way Franco forced out the Catalans and Jews back in the day, it seems like the Catalans are still angry but they shouldn't. Everyone makes mistakes and if you want people to embrace this culture there is no need to be forceful.
Catalans should be proud of their roots but they shouldn't reject the rest of Spain. People say Catalonia is not Spain, Catalonia is Spain for now and it isn't changing yet, so stop the hating and brainwashing and respect everyone. If I speak Spanish let me, If I speak Catalan let me too. Just let me feel free to speak what I feel comfortable in and don't dictate to anyone what they should speak as we left a dictatorship over 30 years ago.

I have been brought up English, Scotish, Spanish and Catalan and I don't ever think I am just one nationality, instead I feel a big part of this Earth, a citizen of Earth.

National day of Catalonia

On the 11th of September most of the World will be remembering the perished souls from the twin towers, and in Catalonia people remember that but remember more the "diada de Catalunya" National day of Catalonia.

It commemorates the defeat of the Catalan troops fighting during the war of the Spanish Succession. The holiday was first celebrated in 11 September 1886, was suppressed by the Franco dictatorship in 1939 and reinstated in 1980 by the government of Catalonia, upon its restoration after the Franco dictatorship

Whenever you are in conversation with a Catalan you will find out important history but if you want to avoid any heated discussions avoid mentioning the independence of Catalunya, or any critisim of the politics involved, this is a double sided argument where I neither agree or disagree on, however, saying that, tomorrow is a special day in Catalunya and no one should try and spoil it and everyone should respect eachother.

Saying that I already started to stir trouble unintentionally, I shared a picture (below) on one of my many social media sites, which to me is a friendly message, but I already got people from both sides putting comments, sadly the Catalans said they don't us and we don't want them (Spain). I know that not everyone thinks the same but sadly there is so much rivalry instead of animosity. That was not my intention nor my friend who originally posted it.

Here is the picture. Visca Catalunya i Viva España, tots junts, todos juntos.

  I love Spain and I love Catalonia and want to feel I can belong to both without being judged in anyway.

English speaking mayor of Madrid - What a Joke (Ana Botella)

This week I begin my new term of teaching English and what a way to ease myself in by watching this video of the mayor of Madrid, Spain.When the first few seconds of the video came on I thought it was a joke from a show or something. My hands hit my head in shock, "oh dios mio, no puede ser"

My ears couldn't believe what they were hearing, was this woman really pretending she knew or was fluent in English or did she really think she was capable of doing a speech in English?
Why did her colleagues let her speak out? Did they not think this was going to end in embarrassment not just for Ana Botella herself but also for Spain?
"Madrid is beautiful and Spanish people know how to celebrate" but Ana Botella, you made us look like we have no clue, but I am not going to ridicule this lady as she has had enough from the Spanish press.
I want to offer her the chance to learn English with a native English Teacher,  I'm sure I can charge a lot less than your actual teacher and you will be able to string a sentence together that actually makes sense.
Call me!

Wake Up Spain

Many people would read my blog and think that I really dislike living in Spain with all my complaining about how this country functions. That would be a misinterpretation though. I love Spain and love living here but like every single country in the World it does have its ups and it has its downs.
After working 3 weeks in a small town in Catalunya I came back quite disappointed with the "hardworking Catalans". For almost all my life I was led to believe that the Catalan community are the hardest working in Spain but after being in a small town it is just as bad as any other town in the rest of Spain or even in Italy (I lived in an Italian village too).
Businesses are complaining about Crisis, they complain at how the Chinese Bazaars and the 1 Euro shops are taking their business, the Chinese are buying out all the bars in Barcelona and as the days and weeks pass Barcelona is becoming as multi cultural as London or any big city is.
This is not bad in my eyes but its not being accepted by the locals.
I don't want to critisise any locals but the fact is that Spanish people don't want to work as hard.
I completely understand that it is hard to function on a daily basis when there is a lot of heat involved, you do feel lazier and less likely to do work when you are in hot and humid conditions but this can't always be the excuse.

I was in a small town and I was shocked and embarrassed at how we were treated there by the local bars. We would go every evening to spend EUROS in bars and the staff never seemed to be content with the business. I actually had one member of staff complain at me the customer telling me that we need to stop disturbing him and order and pay for all our drinks at once. REALLY?
This man was not busy, we were literally his only customers and we were spending a minimum of 50 euros a night for 3 weeks, do the math. This man was fed up of us going up to the bar and ordering drinks, he was fed up of us wanting to pay individually because some of us would have to go back to work. We felt bad for ordering in a bar. I always say: "only in Spain": My fellow Spanish friends may defend this one man and say that this doesn't show what Spain is like but its just one of many examples.

On Facebook my friends post pictures of their local businesses and ask you to go there instead of any Chinese Bazaar. How are we expected to use the Spanish businesses when they are always closed? The shops in Spain are still funcioning the way they did 20 years ago. Times have changed and excuse the pun but so should the shops now. How can a person working 9-6 go to a bank if they close everyday at 14.00. They are open once a week till 20.00, what if you finish at 20.00?
My point is that if Spain really want to get out of this crisis they really need to sort themselves out. We need to develop as a Country, there is so much potential and its being wasted on laziness.
When one wants a plumber, an electrician or anything like that they have to wait days on end and the problem is that because all are on the same level, no one seems to be in competition with one another so they all will come when its good for them and not for you.

If you do decide you want to live in Spain you do have to learn how to be patient and accept these things. Everything you want done will get done but in Spanish time not your own. So don't predict you will take a day to do one task here because that isn't how things work.
I know many people would be angry with me dissing the system but these people need to wake up and see it for themselves. Spain need to wake up.

Need help on your NIE? (Barcelona)

I have been living in Barcelona for ten years and it still amazes me how slow and disorganised admin is here, and they say Catalunya are the hardest working part of Spain, don't want to imagine the rest!

The NIE is an ID number for you to be able to work and live here (A green piece of paper known as your certificate, stating your full name and national insurance number).

Apart from the NIE, other documents are required to work here, like the empadronamiento and Social Security number.
If you are moving to Barcelona and are planning on working here you will need a few things before signing your work contract. It will be a miracle if you have the right documentation and get it done in one day.
*If you are still in your own country check online and try and get as much done before you come out.
To be able to retrieve your NIE you need your Empadronamiento which is a certificate of where you live. If you speak Spanish or know anyone that does it will be really helpful, call 012 and they will tell you all you need, or atleast part of it.

It is much better to check how it is done before moving around as the admin is very slow and the office workers seem to know less than someone you may know that has done it. It is an utter nightmare and very old school when it comes to the way any admin processes work here. If you don't have the right information you will be sent to one office address which will be incorrect then you will be sent to another which is also the wrong one and if you are lucky and everything is close to eachother you may get it all done in one day.

If you are part of the E.U. you need to book an appointment with the police electronically, better be organised and avoid wasting a day.

You need to enter the following site
www.seap.minhap.gob.es
- Servicios
- Extranjeria
- Cita Previa
- Provincia (Barcelona)
- Option -  Certificado U.E

When you have an appointment you will need to take with you the following documents:

- Empadronamiento or Declaración de contratación, this is a document from the workplace you have been offered to work at.
- 3 photos
- Filled out document of the X-18 (too be able to work here) and X-15 if its just to stay for 3 months.

With these docs and the form you print off the website should be enough. I recommend you fill in the form before you go, or atleast as much of it as possible as the staff aren't patient.

At one point you will have to make a payment of under 10€, this is paying your entry! :)

The offices are in:

La Rambla Guipuzcoa 72-74, Barcelona and is open Monday to Friday 09.00 - 14.00

Hope this has helped anyone that is slightly lost!

My summer evening walk wear

I have had knee high socks for years and I hardly put them on out of embarrassment or wondering what others would think. I did already introduce the boots with socks and this summer, after kicking out my self insecurities, I have been able to take in a different approach to life by not caring what people may think, I wear what I feel, I feel more confident - 

- We need to keep confident -

As long as one isn't doing anything evil or offending hardcore, I don't think there should be worries about what one is dressed like.

Eating out in Barcelona - Els Quatre Gats

Last night I went to dinner at the restaurant Els Quatre Gats (The Four Cats).

This restaurant is in the heart of the city of Barcelona and must be visited at least once as the restaurant not only has a lot of history behind it, but its beautifully decorated, has an amazing service and great traditional Catalan and Spanish cuisine. 

A Brief History

This restaurant was opened on June 12th 1897 in the Montsió street. The idea to open this restaurant was originally taken from an entertainment presenter and waiter in the cabaret Le Chat Noir called Pere Romeu. Pere Romeu wanted to create a similar environment that he was seduced by in Paris, here in Barcelona. He wanted it to be like a tavern, with cheap food and piano music. He got the financial support from some of his friends, including Ramon Casas and Santiago Rusiñol.

The building was designed by the architect Puig i Cadafalch. It drew attention because it was unusual, refined and artistic details combined with objects could be seen as characteristic of a traditional hostel.

Before, shows of Chinese shadows and of marionettes were made and, to announce them, Ramon Casas painted posters following the fashion of the time

Picasso started to frequent the place and carried out his first exhibition in the big room at the age of 17 in 1899. He made the poster that was used as a title page of the menu of the house.

Gaudí the famous architect and many other famous people like the musician Isaac Albéniz and his friend Enric Granados visited the 4 Gats.

There are paintings hanging from the walls by Picasso, Casas, Opisso, Nonell, Rusiñol…;

The food and service at the 4 Gats was great. The waiters and maître’s are on the ball constantly, making sure your wine glass is always full and your food comes out at the right time.

It isn't cheap nor too expensive and if you come to the city for a weekend break then do visit this bohemian style restaurant.

Contact -
C/ Montsió Nº3
Barcelona 08002
+34 933 024 140

Seafood Restaurant - La Paradeta Marisqueria

If you are searching for the freshest sea food, be sure to visit "La Paradeta" http://www.laparadeta.com
Its cheap and cheerful and the food is lush. When you walk in it sounds like a cafeteria and it's like entering a fish market where you can order fish and seafood and decide if you want it fried or grilled, then when the food is cooked your table number is called and you go to the counter and start collecting your dishes.

There are several in and out side of Barcelona and you can't reserve a table. So be sure to go with plenty of time. Great to try out with small groups or if you are in Barcelona and want to try someting typical and nice.

Shambhala - New Coaster at PortAventura

This weekend was the opening of the newest rollercoaster at Port Aventura.
The ride: Shambhala
Expedition in the Himalaya - it says it all really, doesn't it?


This is the highest roller coaster in Europe, which has a 76Metre drop, the fastest drop and fastest in Europe, and I got the opportunity to ride this on the opening day.
The experience was amazing, you are held in your seat with just one bar holding you in.
It gives you the sensation that you are flying and I recommend this to any rollercoaster fans. You really can't compare this to any ride as it is so unbelievably smooth, no head banging, no dizzy spells just pure flying (feeling) across a park.

Port aventura has other great rides, the water ones which is great to cool you down in the blazing sun and Furios Bacos which also is amazing. It goes from 0 - 135km in just 5 seconds.




The park is worth visiting and if you go in summer you have a water park too.

The entrance to the park is 44€ but there are offers always available, so before going always look online to see what they have on offer.

But make sure you try this ride out! I definitly give it 10 out of 10!!!

Barcelona Parks (The City in 3 days)

Barcelona has a lot of great parks, and can be a great place to visit when the sun is out which can be almost all year around. The most famous would have to be "Ciutadella" park which is close to the Borne area and has the zoo inside of it, and Parc Guell being the other famous park as it was created by the late Antoni Gaudi.
There is one that many people don't know about and one which I would recommend as a must as if it's your first time in the city. That is the Labyrinth park.

Here is a little on both parks, which I would recommend you visiting if you come to Barcelona.

These are not only two beautiful and unique parks, but they are a great spot to visit, especially when the sun is beaming and all the art can be appreciated more, you have families having picnics and parties, artists projecting their styles of music and creativity.
The two parks in particular aren't too far away from each other and are definitely worth a visit. We did them one on each day but they can also be done in one day too as the Parque del Laberinto isn't too big whereas Parc Güell is bigger and both are nice to have a wonder round.

* * *

El Parque del Laberinto, is a historic garden in the district of Horta Guinardó and is the oldest park in Barcelona. The park includes neoclassic and romantic gardens
from the XVII and XIX Centuries. The park has a lot of sculptures from Greek mythology and has a labyrinth and in the centre of this 750m maze there is a statue or Eros, the God of love. So if you are here with your partner it can be quite a romantic wonder for the both of you.


"Eros the god of love"
The park has waterfalls, ponds and little walkways which are nice to wonder round.

* * *

Parc Güell is most probably one of the most famous parks of Barcelona as it was designed by Antoni Gaudi who was a modernist architect. The park was built in the 1900's and is part of the UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE. The park is situated in El Carmel on a hill and has amazing views of Barcelona city.

There is a large cross at the Park's high-point and it offers the most complete view of Barcelona and the bay. It is possible to view the main city in panorama, with the Sagrada Família and the Montjuïc area visible at a distance.


Parc Guell is a curious and enchanting park and every time you visit you will always find something new.

Both attractions are easy to reach by metro. The Labyrinth park is situated near to the Montbau metro station and costs 2,10 Euros, unless you go on a Wednesday of Sunday as these days are free.

Parc Guell can be reached by the 24 Bus which passes the centre and paralel. It has free entry.

Barcelona

After living in Italy for almost two years, I came to the conclusion that my adoptive city was calling me. "BARCELONA", The city for being social, the city of great architecture, sun, sand, sea, sex, beaches, alcohol, parties, relaxation, modernism, art, urbanism and the list goes on.

I'm an original London girl from North Weezy as we would say, but at the age of 19 I escaped my land for adventure and I definitely have lived a great one so far.
After living here for almost 8 years, I have been able to wonder and discover some great places to visit and to taster, and as the years pass I still find new locations that are amazing to spend a day out, afternoon or evening at.

I'm not going to go all patriotic, especially when I'm not fully Catalan or Spanish, (Just half as my mum is the Spanish one), or am I going to say that this is the best city in the World as it isn't. But If you haven't given this city a try then I suggest you go on Easyjet or BA (Ryanair if your desperate) and book yourself a weekend break to this young, buzzing city.
It has everything you are looking for, mountains and the sea, theme parks and parks, bars and clubs, history and youthism.....Really, what more could you ask for?

Since I have been back I have had visitors come over, some virgins to the city and some pro's that know the in's and out's of Barcelona and it's great for me to get a chance to move around and get to know new places with them.

Last week was the most intense visits of all. We had family members over from Italy and we wanted them to have a great Barcelona Experience, especially because it was their first time here, and Spain is always compared to Italy by my fellow Italian friends and normally Italy wins in the comparisons stakes even when half of them haven't even left their country, its that infamous Italian pride which I love. It wasn't a battle, I just wanted my visitors to enjoy Barcelons as much as they could in the space of 3 days and thank goodness that they did!! So I have decided to post about our 3 days incase anyone is travelling to Barcelona and want to know whats the hotspots to visit whislt here....

Nuevas Monedas!

¡¡¡OJO!!!

Está circulando una moneda falsa de 2 EUR, te adjunto la foto para que lo tengas en cuenta.