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Family in Barcelona makes visit a memorable one
More articles on this topic: Costa Brava News and ReviewsAs a Spanish literature undergraduate I decided to spend my summer in Barcelona. I had the good fortune to live with a wonderful Catalan family in the San Just Desvern area, on the outskirts of the city.
For three months I lived the high life in a ultra-modern “apartamento,†complete with a veranda, rooftop terrace and a sweeping panorama of the city and Mediterranean Sea below.
I was in the unique position of being an insider and an outsider, their “Canadian daughter.â€
The stepfather was a successful architect whose knowledge of art, architecture, Spanish history and the Catalan region, kept me engrossed for 90 days.
The day I arrived, he brought out a massive map of Spain and proceeded to point out the major cities, their provinces, traditions and dialects spoken, the country’s main geographical features and the history and system of its government.
He taught me how to cut and filet fish and introduced me to the wonders of Catalan “modernisme†architecture, which is seen throughout Barcelona in the stunning creations of Antoni Gaudi and others.
Then there was my petite and stylish, sweet and convivial Spanish “mother†who, among other things, taught me the importance of having a respectable public appearance.
She gestured in bewilderment and feigned horror at my outfit of bright-red surf shorts, multi-coloured tank top and sport sandals (in which I was going to accompany her to the mall) and suggested instead a nice pair of shoes, skirt and T-shirt.
Together we visited every zara in the city and perused the streets of the upscale Eixample district, visiting local designer shops. My favourite shopping was to be found along the young, hip streets of the Barri Gotic and El Born districts of the Ciutat Vella (Old City).
The parents even invited me on a holiday to the Costa Brava, where I fell in love with the bright sunflower fields, the scattered ruins of castles and the tranquility of life in a medieval village.
I also had the chance to experience Spain’s touristy side, staying at the family’s beachside apartment in the small-scale resort of L’Escala, where the maze-like narrow streets brimmed with shops, restaurants and bars.
However, it was from the two tall and beautiful Catalan sisters, both successful models, that I learned most about Spanish youth culture.
The youngest daughter was an endearing party animal, 14 going-on 20. One night, she and I had been broadcast live dancing on Spain’s version of MuchMusic’s Electric Circus and experienced the enormity of Barcelona’s biggest electronic music and multimedia party, Sonar.
The other sister was similar to me in age and more down-to-earth. For her modelling meant money, not glamour.
I accompanied her backstage at an international fashion show. We ate hotdogs at neighbourhood cafes, watched a Catalan theatre production and sang at a Wailers concert.
This was one of my most memorable summers. I will never forget the family lunches, sunrise on the beach, the lively plazas and, most of all, the vivacity and warmth of the city and its people.
- Family in Barcelona makes visit a memorable one, by Farrah Little, The Province, Nov. 13, 2005
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