Senora Elisabeth redemed herself this evening with her pork sausage cooked in white wine.
Todays tour was great, we all know I'm all about the food. But even more so it was another opportunity to learn the different neighborhoods. The tour took us from Placa Catalunya, the sort of main square in Barcelona, down la rambla, through Barri Gotic, and into Born.
She talked about Catalan gastronomic culture the entire two hours, however there were a number of designated shops and markets we stopped at for her to explain. The first was Granja Viader which has been family run since 1870. They claim to be the first dairy business to bottle and distribute milk in Spain. They specialize in baked and dairy delights, most famously orxata (or horchata--chufa-nut milk, which is only available in the summer), llet mallorquina (Majorca-style milk with cinnamon, lemon, and sugar), crema catalana (creme brulee), or suis ("swiss" hot chocolate with whipped cream). They also have mel y mato, fresh cheese with honey, which is very Catalan.
Next we were given a bit of free time in Mercat de La Boqueria, a produce market filled with chicken legs, bags of live snails, fresh fish (I was told it is best to go in the morning for fish, when it comes straight off the boat), mas frutas y verduras, dried fruits, chocolates, olives, full legs of ham (jamon serano), Paleta Iberica de Bellota hams are the best and cost about 120 euro, etc. The guide mentioned that Gaudi used to wander around the market looking for inspiration, she also recommended we find time to visit the Pinotxo Bar in the market for cafe, breakfast, or tapas.
Jamon Serrano
This vendor must have thought I was very bizarre, he kept laughing at me. This is just one of the many picture of dead fish I took. I couldn't help it, they captivated me.
Chili Peppers
As we kept walking, just off of la rambla she told us about a series of vegetarian cafes and small markets. We learned about chocolates, and the Churros con Chocolate, many many pastry shops (each one as delicious looking as the next), Cola (a typical Catalan pastry with some sugar and pine nuts on top), and Tartleta de Musica (a tart made with chocolate and lots of nuts that used to be served to the poor musicians because they needed the calories and energy from the nuts, typically served with red wine).
The tour ended at Mercat de Santa Caterina, a produce market designed by a local architect on site of a medieval Dominican monastery. This market has less vendors than La Boqueria, but there is more room in between each stall. I like the feel of La Boqueria better. Each of us got a ticket for two tapas and a drink at the markets cafe. I had a glass of Rioja and the tapas, which were two pieces of toasted baguette, one with a vegetable mixture in vinegar and olive oil and a sardine, the other was topped with sauted onions and sausage. The tapas were alright, the glass of wine was more noteworthy.
Last night I went out for a few drinks with my roommates and some friends I've made, Matt, Andrew (Gina's boyfriend who is here with a different program), Sebastian (Andrew and Matt's friend from home), and two girls from their study abroad program. Tonight I am staying in with my book (Beach Music by Pat Conroy...go ahead judge me). I am exhausted and need to refuel for the weekend. Tomorrow Jami and I are having lunch (we only just ran into each other today), I will go to spanish, perhaps shop around a bit, nap, eat dinner, and then my RA who lives in an apartment near me is hosting a get together so everyone that lives in this area can get to know each other, then out somewhere.
One last thing...every night at dinner our Senora asks if we are going out. First she looks to Amy, then to Gina, and then to me. I haven't gone out as much as they have so she always has this look like I am going to say no. Last night was one of the nights I said yes and then Amy tried to make a joke saying "Ella es fiesta animal." Senora Elisabeth laughed so hard she was crying and finally was able to choke out that she didn't understand. Obviously party animal doesn't translate...
