Flamenco Show

Female Flamenco dancer.


One of the great things about CEA is that they organize some activities throughout the semester for the students. The planned event that I was looking forward to most was the Flamenco Show. I used to dance and I have always enjoyed the preforming arts so I was really excited to see a real live Flamenco Show, especially in Spain. What a treat! However, the show was on a Tuesday night the week that my parents were visiting. I really wanted to see if they could join because I knew that both my mother and father would really enjoy it too. Fortunately, the show was not sold old and they were able to attend the show as well. This truly made the experience even better because I was able to share it with the both of them.

The show is held in a pretty large venue on Carrer de Balmes. Food and drink are also available at the show. The ticket price depends if you choose dinner and show or drink and show. The shows at Palacio del Flamenco change frequently. The music, created originally for this show, is interpreted live. The improvisation between the musicians and the dancers, makes the show different day to day. The show is made up of original choreography acts including soloist acts. There is approximately a cast of 15 artists on stage for each show.

The show I attended had eight dancers, both male and female; four musicians; and three singers. The dancers were my favorite part of the show. There were four young, female dancers that acted as back up. Then there was a male and a female who preformed solos, duets, and together with the younger females. There was also an older, more experienced male and female dancers that preformed longer, more intense sequences by themselves. The latter two were my favorite dancers. The speed in which the male dancer moved his feet were unbelievable. I was so intrigued by the female dancer. She was dressed in an all white dress with a shawl. She moved her arms and hands so gracefully that every movement she made looked so easy. She, too, moved quickly and used her shawl as a prop. Every sequence she preformed looked effortless. Their expressions were also passionate and strong. I felt connected with the two more experienced dancers the most because of their expressions. I rarely took my eyes off of the two of them.

All of the costumes were fun and flashy for both the males and females. I loved the all white, backless dress on the older females. Even in the audience, I could see every definition of her arms and back. For one of the last numbers, the five female dancers came out dressed in bright, vivid floral dresses that where different in colors and slightly varied in pattern. The dance was up beat and the mixture of all the different colored and floral dresses dancing on stage was beautiful. I really enjoyed my time at Palacio del Flamenco and would definitely attend another show.

Princesa 23

Valentine's Day dinner with Ruby and Lauren.


One of my favorite restaurants in Barcelona is Princessa 23. It is located in the El Born area of the city but there is also a beach bar by the Barceloneta metro stop during the summer months. The closest metro stop in El Born is Jaume I on the yellow line. The hours are 11:00 am - 3:00 pm Friday and Saturday and 11:00 am - 2:30 pm Sunday through Thursday. One of the main things I love about this restaurant is the atmosphere. Although it is not a Moroccan bar the interior is covered in rot-iron light fixtures and large middle eastern couches surround the perimeters. The lights are dimmed and have an accent of red around the room. One down side is that the restaurant is very smoky. The tables are very close together and I do not like the have smoke around me when I am eating. But the music is always great, ranging from island jams to todays hip-hop.

The menu of course is delicious. To start their cocktails, frozen margaritas, and daiquiris are all amazing; especially the strawberry daiquiris! The melon salad, the beef skewers, and the salmon are my favorites. I've been four times (once a month!) and I have ordered the beef skewers every time. The meat is juicy and the sliced papas have so much flavor. Princesa 23 is not solely a Spanish restaurant but it does provides tapas and bocadillos. On the 23rd of each month they have special drink offers and host parties.

At times there is a wait for a table at Princesa 23. Moreover, once you are seated there is also a wait for a server to approach you. The drinks take a while to get and the check takes even longer. One time our waiter forgot to bring our sangria to the table. We waited and waited and finally we were finished with our meal and did not care for it anymore. Although the service is very slow it is still worth it. The food is yummy and it is a great place to meet up with family and friends for a drink and/or dinner after a long day!

La Boqueria

La Boqueria Market, located off of Las Ramblas in Barcelona, is a large open market that is “for the people.” The market’s entrance is a tall, metal tent with a large mosaic sign stating, “Sant Josep, La Boqueria.” The long line of produce stands begins immediately upon entering the market. The colorful, ripe fruit is piled high, while the chocolate candies are carved into a variety of shapes and sizes. When you enter the market you are greeted by friendly, third and fourth generation merchants. These people devote their lives to La Boqueria and were raised in its rich atmosphere.

The market began as an open-air travelling market. The market dates all the way back to 1217, but it wasn’t until 1826 that the market was legally recognized. In its early days as a travelling market, merchants would sell products such as meat and straw outside the city walls. At the time, the space inside the city walls was far too small for any type of market.

The market became better known and merchants from other towns tried to sell their products within its walls. The competition was already vicious between local merchants and outside merchants were kept out. However, the merger of two nearby market squares into one formed La Rambla de Sant Josep. Its location became key as Las Ramblas’ popularity grew. Las Ramblas became known as “pedestrian lane” and the market became a place for people to stop and enjoy its presence and/or purchase groceries for their families.

In 1826, the market began being regulated by the general captain of Catalonia. Only a year later, on October 18, 1827, the market on La Rambla de Sant Josep was announced to the public. This market was demolished and relocated in 1840. The first stone was placed on St. Joseph’s Day to build what is now known as La Boqueria. By 1911, the market was extended and gas lighting was installed, the fruit and vegetable stands were moved under the porches, and the fish merchant shop was built. Two years later in 1914 the metal roof was built which creates the grand entrance for the market, a market that is on all Barcelona tourists’ “must see list.”