What comes to your mind when you hear the word “Barcelona”? Does it sound like a song performed by Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballé, or taste like paella? Maybe you even see sophisticated ornamental architecture comprising the Sagrada Familia or Leo Messi scoring a goal in your head? Great, let’s take a closer look at the city and its culture with the female team from the University of Barcelona.
A typical day of the University of Barcelona student starts with coming to the class where he or she spends about 4 hours — however, it depends on the subject they study. Afternoons are usually free, so you may go to a gym, join the training or just chill out.
We all know that sports are highly developed in Barcelona and in Spain as a whole. And what about beach handball? Don’t worry, it’s very popular in Catalonia and even more widespread in some other cities, such as Malaga or Sevilla, for example.
By the way, not all the girls stay in Barcelona, some of them live in small neighboring towns with a peaceful atmosphere where almost all inhabitants know each other and where there’s no overcrowded metro or busy streets thronged with people.
Speaking about the specificity of life in Barcelona, there’s one thing that the girls really got used to. It’s Catalan food. They miss Mediterranean dishes a bit, fresh salads with tuna, cool summer meals like gaspacho, traditional pasta, paella, and pa amb tomàquet. Although we’re quite familiar with these names, the last one sounded unusual. Listen and write down. Pa amb tomàquet consists of bread seasoned with rubbed tomatoes, olive oil, salt and sometimes includes garlic. Sounds yummy, doesn’t it?
“The best thing you have to try” — the girls conclude.
Barcelona is a city where everyone can find his own inspiration. The megapolis unites various cultures, it’s famous for the architecture with recognizable buildings designed by Gaudi. But what makes life special in Spain and Barcelona in particular, are the people living there: open-minded, cheerful, hospitable and always providing good energy.
Yulia Kovalenko