Watching Barca Win The League

A few weeks ago I got to experience something special – watching FC Barcelona become champions of Spain once again.

Luckily, I bought my ticket for the final match of the season about 3 weeks before, as they had sold out by the time it was confirmed that Barcelona would need to win to be crowned champions. Thanks to the guys at Oh-Barcelona.com for letting me know how to get a ticket for the game!

I arrived at the Nou Camp stadium around 3 hours before the start of the game, and already the atmosphere was heating up – quite literally with all the fireworks going off. Finally kick off time arrived and Barca won the match 4-0, meaning that the party could begin (as if it already hadn’t!)

The stadium was a colourful sight, but nothing compared to when we got back to Placa Catalunya, where fans had gathered to celebrate with songs, fireworks, and other passionate displays of affection for their team. Unfortunately, some trouble did develop after midnight, but the party will live with me forever.

The Brandenburg Gate – symbolizing the reunification of a nation

One of the most famous monuments in Berlin is the Brandenburg Gate. This monument is located a few meters away from the downed Berlin Wall, a structure that not only in the city of Berlin, but also the world, divided people into opposing ideologies. There are still some areas up, and they now serve to symbolize the reunification of Germany.

From the Brandenburg Gate, we have Unter den Linden, the main boulevard of the city. This starts at the square on the east side of the Brandenburg Gate, where the art academy, the famous Adlon Hotel and the French Embassy are located. From the square it is 1.5 km east to the so-called Scholossbrücke (bridge) which connects the Museum Island in central East Berlin, where we can go to Alexanderplatz.

Alexanderplatz is located in the historic center of East Berlin, where the communist GDR government clearly has left its stamp on. Near the square is the television tower (Fernsehturm) of 368m high, almost from anywhere in the city can be admired. The tower was built in 1960 and has a panoramic restaurant swirling around and in the shape of a circle from which there is a wide panoramic view of the city.

Near Alexanderplatz is full of monuments and grand old buildings, squares and all sorts of shopping. Among these monuments are the Berlin Cathedral (Berliner Dom) and the Town Hall (Rotes Rathaus), the most notable thing is that both buildings have distinctive architecture. The Catholic cathedral in Berlin, dedicated to St. Hedwig, is somewhat further down the Unter den Lindenlaan just between the Opera House (one of three of the town), and the building known as the Kommode.

On the other side of town, in the heart of West Berlin, is the Potsdamer Platz, in the '20s one of the most popular places in all of Europe. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall the square was to become part of a huge construction project, where today many modern skyscrapers and shopping malls are located in the new area Berlin.

The Magic Fountain of Montjuic

The Magic Fountain of Montjuïc is also known as Font de Montjuic is a giant fountain with a circular shape. It is approximately 12 m in diameter and can expel water at 4 feet high. This wonderful source has integrated several lights with changing colors and ambient music to create a show that is known around the world.

Was built for the Universal Exhibition of 1929 by Carles Buïgas in the place where they were located the Four Pillars of Josep Puig demolished in 1928. Construction work lasted less than a year.
The magic fountain is the main element of a set of plays of light and water that is developed around the axis from the "Palau Nacional" to the Plaza Espanya, including waterfalls and ponds and in the bottom rows of the columns on both sides of the avenue.

The show kicks off in beautiful fashion as we can see the water moving to the beat of the melodies that have transpired over the decades. We can see the shapes and colours that dance impressively to the music with a dance. At night it is also possible to see how this source moves to the sound of classical music.

 
There are two times in which you can see this fountain in action. During the winter season the fountain works on Fridays and Saturdays from 7 to 9. During the summer time we admire this magnificent show from 7 pm to 10 pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Located on the Avenida Maria Cristina, to get there just take the metro L1 (red line) or L3 (green line) and get off at "Plaça Espanya". The fountain is difficult to go unnoticed so you need no further directions.

This is one of Barcelona's tourist attractions that is quite simply a must see.

Poble Espanyol – the whole of Spain in the centre of Barcelona

The Spanish Village (Poble Espanyol in Catalan) is an open-air museum which has an area of 42,000 m2, where there are many houses built to meet the main characteristics of the people of Spain at different times. Each house has a Spanish family coat of a great tradition.
It was built in 1929 for the International Exhibition which was to be held in the city.

Each of these houses is really a craft store various types, we can find crafts of glass, wood, paintings and jewelry of gold and silver.
Many of the houses where they sell glass handicrafts also have workshops, where demonstrations are carried out of how artists shape the glass, is truly special and unique. We can attend these workshops at no cost but if you prefer you can work with the artisans.

Another of the houses is a modern art museum, displaying the works of many local and international artists. This mini-museum has three floors and in 30 minutes you can see everything.

It is strange to see in a place where old buildings represents a system as modern as they have to give access to all people in wheelchairs.
Poble Espanyol also has many restaurants with terraces which are perfect for a beer, wine or water while enjoying a fabulous place.

One of the major tourist attractions of Barcelona and a visit here is really great to take a look at the history of Spanish architecture.
To reach the Poble Espanyol must take the metro L1 (red) or L3 (green) and get off at Plaza Espanya, after the street should follow Avenida del Marques de Comillas which crosses right in front of the Magic Fountain.

The barrio of Santa Cruz – bringing colour to Seville

The district of Santa Cruz is one of the oldest in the city and is located in the old part of Sevilla. Its history and beauty make it one of the most emblematic barrios.

People in Seville live in apartments very close to each other, which makes for an endless number of narrow streets that give visitors a precious shade that mitigates the summer sun in Seville, also known as the oven of Europe.

Simplicity is the main feature of the landscape of this neighbourhood and is the combination of brightly coloured houses with wrought balconies hung with flowers like bougainvillea, which makes this a pleasant place to be lost for hours.

Within the district there are some special attractions such as: the convent of the Teresas Hospice and venerable priest, although I am convinced that the main attraction is walking aimlessly through its colourful streets.
The tangled streets of the quarter often end in places where you can find historical monuments, terraces, bars and more. Here is a list of places to visit in the neighbourhood and what it was that I found in them.

Plaza de los Venerables: A square full of bars and terraces where you can take a break and spend some quiet moments with a beer and tasting some of the famous tapas from Seville.

Plaza de Santa Cruz: Has a locksmith cross dating from the seventeenth century monument is a very different and very Andalusian which is worth a visit.

 
Plaza de las Cruces: It is a small square where you will find three columns ending in crosses. It is not as spectacular as the Plaza de Santa Cruz, but it is a place that lends itself to taking photographs.

Plaza de Dona Elvira: A place where full of orange and adorned with the very traditional tiles, is a very colorful place with a central fountain where you can spend a few moments crying if they wish.

This neighborhood has a myriad of interesting places and each has things to admire, after visiting for the first time I wonder if they ever will know all its secrets.

Berlin Carnival 2010 – celebrating cultures since 1995

Berlin Carnival is a parade of carriages, each representing the cultural diversity of Berlin.

It was created to combat the prejudice of immigrants caused by the strong economic and social conflicts that arose in Berlin after the Wall fell.
While these conflicts occurred, the artistic and cultural life in Berlin grew and the carnival was born in 1995, aiming to celebrate the rich culture and promote art in the city.

Since then it has been widely accepted by the public and the media. Each year there are more viewers than its predecessor and even more and better carriages, representing any form of culture that is in Berlin.
In 2008 1.5 million visitors celebrated in the streets and the festival had 4500 professional and amateur actors of all ages, accompanied by 100 carriages of various shapes, sizes and colours.

This festival lasts four days, and anyone who wants to can participate in it to express their culture or identity.
It contains traditional and contemporary elements expressed in many ways like traditional clothes, dances, music, singing. And only in this great European metropolis can you see this magnificent gesture of acceptance and understanding for the cultures that are part of the city.
It is certainly one of the great events taking place in Berlin every year. It is a unique experience for a unique city in addition to being fun, creative and informative, helping us to understand how Berlin society has erased their prejudices through the years to become a multicultural society.

This year the carnival will begin on May 31 at 12:30 pm in "Hermannplatz" and all carriages will travel along the roads of "stressenumzug" and "hassenheide." The best place to look is in the the park known as "Volkspark hassenheide".

The 17th International Semi-Marathon of Nice

On your marks, get set, and let’s go because the 17th International Semi-Marathon of Nice is about to begin! Last year there were more than 7,600 runners representing 29 different countries and crowds of over 30 thousand spectators. It is simply a must see event!

There are big things expected from the 2008 race with an estimated 8 thousand participants, including a good percentage of foreigners, as every year amateur and professional runners from all over Europe join the International Semi Marathon in Nice!

During the 3 day-Marathon there will be organized other events organised such as shows, treasure hunts and numerous concerts…

The most important races are:
1. the famous 21.1 Km (a must).
2. The 10 km (alternative)

3. Free Races: - 2 Miles Défi Running Collège open to children from 9-15 years. -- 3 km race Nice Court Tout Contre le Cancer du Sein where part of the inscriptions funds will go to the association Résiste 06.

To subscribe to the races you can visit the website: http://www.nicesemimarathon.com

Registration may also be in place on 18 and 19 April (Saturday!). However, remember to bring proof that you’re fit as fiddle such as a medical certificate! There is a cash prize of 100 euros for the man who finishes the 21.1 km course in under 1h 09 and for the woman who crosses the line under 1h 29.
The start line will be on the famous Promenade des Anglais.

The route passes by some of the most beautiful areas of Nice: the old castle, the port, the beach of Angels, all the beautiful buildings, villas… A really interesting and unique way to discover Nice’s sights, without hanging around!