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Wednesday, 13 July 2011

exploring barcelona: random weekend occurrences

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A few weekends ago, I spent a Sunday afternoon in the little town/suburb of Sant Cugat, where a few of my friends live. It's about a twenty minute train journey from downtown Barcelona, and I was hoping the temperature would be a few degrees cooler. Was it? Not enough to make a difference. It was great to see my friends, and we had a drink or three in a picturesque square. The beer was bad (damn San Miguel) and the Ice Cream was appallingly bad, but we had fun anyway steadfastly refusing to speak English to our annoying waiter.

Around sunset people started gathering in the main square:

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It was Corpus (I think, I know nothing about religious days) and various places in Barcelona had the "Ou com balla" or the dancing egg:

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And in the courtyard they were making human castles (castells): Note the kid with the helmet climbing up to be the top of the castle.

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It really feels that when you walk around Barcelona or its surroundings on the weekend, any number of strange and wonderful things may present themselves to you!

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I found this handmade dress in a suitcase full of 70s era sweaters in the flat. It's so comfortable on the scorching and humid days we've been having.

dress: vintage, shoes: Catalan menorquines, belt, vintage via mom, Yorkshire Tea bag, sunglasses: Lucky brand via TKMaxx
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60 comments:

  1. Xavi13 July 2011 at 10:24

    OH, nice village Sant Cugat. I agree with you that San Miguen and Damm aren't the best beers. Moritz forever.
    Pretty dress and shoes. I'm sure are confortable.

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  2. Emily, Ruby Slipper Journeys13 July 2011 at 10:32

    @Xavi: I have no problem with Estrella. I was saying damn as in "puto San Miguel." I actually like Estrella a bit better than Moritz, although I know that's not permitted. I do like Moritz too though!

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  3. Xavi13 July 2011 at 10:36

    My English language problems :(
    thanks!!

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  4. Thelma Frayne13 July 2011 at 10:59

    Love your outfit- perfect for exploring x

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  5. Penny13 July 2011 at 11:52

    very pretty dress Emily :)
    ps) I am always impressed by those human castles!I think it's a very typical thing for spanish/portuguese celebrations!I think if some greek people tried to do it we'd all collapse!heheh!

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  6. 2befab13 July 2011 at 12:01

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  7. X13 July 2011 at 12:35

    I love your dress - it has a burnt orange sunset feel :)
    Barcelon seems like a really fun, spontaneous city. I had a bad experience there a few years ago when my friend was mugged and it left me a little bitter towards the city but I hear such wonderful things about it from everyone else so I may have to revisit to set the record straight :)

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  8. Kelley Anne13 July 2011 at 12:40

    Its beautiful there and I love your vintage dress. What's on the pattern? Thanks for the comment!

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  9. The Semi Sweet13 July 2011 at 12:43

    That dress is fantastic on you. And human castles are pretty interesting. I'm glad the kid came prepared with a helmet;)

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  10. Jul13 July 2011 at 12:59

    What a lovely dress! Seems perfect for a day out with friends. Those photos are amazing, especially the one with the human castle! So fun!

    http://lifeisaromanticpoem.blogspot.com/

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  11. Shybiker13 July 2011 at 14:15

    *squeal!* Oh, I love the color of your dress!

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  12. Caitlin Rose13 July 2011 at 14:49

    Oh you look so cute.

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  13. Molly Page13 July 2011 at 14:56

    Loving the bright orange of that dress! It's super fun.
    And what a cool cultural tradition! Human castles? Love it.

    A Foreign Land

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  14. Louise, For Sentimental Reasons13 July 2011 at 18:20

    Oh to have a flat where one finds 70s dresses lying about! What an adventure...I love the colour. I don't think I could pull off orange but you have just the right complexion and hair colour for it :)All your recent posts make me yearn to visit Barcelona. I've never been but it seems a city with such a sense of fun !

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  15. Deppa13 July 2011 at 18:53

    Aquel castillo humano se ve impresionante!
    se nota que disfrutas tus visitas a donde quiera que vayas :)

    Que estés bien.
    nos vemos!

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  16. Sabrina13 July 2011 at 19:01

    Human castle? Wow, that's insane! These pictures look amazing- looks like a gorgeous city!

    Sincerely,
    Sabrina

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  17. Amber13 July 2011 at 19:33

    i remember making pyramids as a kid but nothing on the scale of a human castle. very impressive

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  18. Rebecca13 July 2011 at 19:41

    There is something a bit 1930s about this that I really like, plus you found it? That just makes it a whole lot better! Plus human castles, Barcelona seems like a really interesting place to live.

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  19. Lyndsey13 July 2011 at 19:54

    I love that dress color and print on you! It looks very airy for summer- perfect look!
    There is no way I'd do that castle thing with all of those people! You know someone had to have gotten hurt!

    xo
    lyndsey of hellolyndsey

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  20. Anonymous13 July 2011 at 20:27

    It is always interesting to see what other countries celebrate. I really liked that floating eggs, it looked incredible. Same with your dress. To actually find a 70's dress just lying around is a story itself. Your flat must be a real treasure chest.

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  21. Anonymous13 July 2011 at 20:44

    You look gorgeous :) Such a rich colour!

    It's getting so I'll just have to see barcelona some time soon! Be honest, you're secretly employed by the tourism bureau! ;)

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  22. dr.antony13 July 2011 at 21:09

    You look good anywhere,in any dress.
    Have wonderful times.

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  23. Emily, Ruby Slipper Journeys13 July 2011 at 22:28

    @HelloLyndsey: People occasionally have gotten hurt, which is why the smallest children, who go at the top, have to wear helmets. But it's a pretty normal tradition, and generally nothing goes wrong.

    @Stef: I WISH the Barcelona tourism board employed me! Barcelona Tourism, are you reading this? Take a hint. ; D

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  24. Anthea13 July 2011 at 23:16

    I know you're wishing it could be a cooler, but your posts has really got me wishing for Summer! You look so pretty in your Summer dresses!

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  25. Unknown13 July 2011 at 23:19

    The dress is lovely, Barcelona looks amazing x

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  26. Lorelai Sebastian13 July 2011 at 23:46

    hahahahaha...uma amiga mia que esta estudiando arquitectura en barca me enseno un video en su movil con las personas que intentan hacer el castellito!! impresionante de verdad!
    me gustas tus zapatillos!

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  27. Anonymous14 July 2011 at 00:58

    Admiring the shoes you are wearing. Scratching my head over the dancing egg and wondering how many levels high the human castle could grow.

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  28. Marisa Noelle14 July 2011 at 02:33

    My gosh, seems like there's an adventure around every corner there. How fun! Those human castles are something else. Has anybody ever slipped, causing the whole castle to come down? I imagine that would be dreadful and thinking about this would make me a nervous wreck to watch it go up. Oh and your dress is incredibly lovely. It actually looks like it was made just for you:)

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  29. Islandia Lane14 July 2011 at 02:33

    Love that dress!

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  30. SOJOURNED IN STYLE14 July 2011 at 03:36

    orange, my new favourite colour. your shoes are marvelous, have never seen that style before. I love how much culture each post shows, not only an outfit post. I'll remember that barcelona dancing egg.

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  31. Unknown14 July 2011 at 04:21

    I am totally fascinated with you and your life (not at all in a creepy way)
    Just love seeing somebody young living an interesting life.
    Don't give it up!

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  32. Emily, Resplendent Tranquility14 July 2011 at 04:30

    More Catalan shoes! It noticed that these have a print on the top. Is it specific to Catalan culture or just something random? And speaking of prints, what is on this lovely happened upon dress? I can't tell if it's feathers, fish, or strokes of color. Hehe.

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  33. Mackenzie14 July 2011 at 06:19

    I've never heard of bad ice cream before! ;)
    Love the silhouette and print of your dress.

    Mackenzie

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  34. Abi14 July 2011 at 07:34

    You globe trotter you! That human castle looks dangerous but extremely exciting and genius at the same time.
    And don't you just dislike trying to speak the native language while people are dead set on speaking to you in English? Happens to me all the time in Montreal. Good on you for putting your foot down.

    And of course your dress is gorgeous as ever with the colour and cut.

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  35. Monique14 July 2011 at 07:59

    this found dress may very well be my favorite of all your dresses. i love how i get to take a little trip every time i visit your blog.

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  36. The Mad Twins14 July 2011 at 13:59

    Love these pictures! Your dress is fabulous! Love it ;)

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  37. Jardin de la Mode14 July 2011 at 17:50

    Gorgeous! I love your dress ♥

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  38. Dus of Cuddly Cacti14 July 2011 at 19:37

    This town looks so cute, the main square is lovely! You look amazing in orange, I am extremely jealous! Good thing that kid's wearing a helmet. I always had a hard time finding bad ice cream in Spain as well & good job not speaking English to the waiter, totally know what you mean on that, so annoying!

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  39. Ashley14 July 2011 at 20:36

    Love the dress choice (as usual).

    Ok, so...dancing egg? Huh?

    Barcelona is random and great :) I must visit.

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  40. caitlin14 July 2011 at 21:03

    haha barcelona (+surrounding) definitely sounds like a wacky city. but how can ice cream be bad?? i've never heard of such a thing :p anyway, that's a darling dress and you look lovely in it.

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  41. Elise14 July 2011 at 23:15

    Excellent dress! Love the human tower, looks like a fun day! :)

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  42. Raquel14 July 2011 at 23:25

    I remember my friend who was in BCN for a year going to close villages and loving them. You look so nice and breezy. What a great find that dress is eh?
    Oh and your sandals remind me of pictures of the Princes of Asturias that came in portuguese gossip magazines talking about where they went for the summer vacations, hehe.

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  43. Jenny14 July 2011 at 23:27

    It is disappointing to hear that the beer AND ice cream were bad. But the human pyramid looks amazing to me, especially since I am so entertained by human feats such as this. And I adore this orange dress! So simple and perfect for the warm weather and exploring. xx

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  44. Marissa14 July 2011 at 23:35

    What a lovely scene to stumble upon! I can just imagine a bunch of parents in the US suburbs making all those kids put on helmets. :)

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  45. ana14 July 2011 at 23:48

    I love the vintage look

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  46. SomeoneLikeYou15 July 2011 at 14:10

    You look just to die for in this beautiful, orange dress... What a find!

    ...And I just adore that 'human castle picture.' Too funny and cool!

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  47. Amber Schmidt15 July 2011 at 17:00

    That's so interesting! Then again, with your journeys you must have seen quite a bit. :)

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  48. The Mad Twins15 July 2011 at 20:36

    Adore your dress!

    and wow! Such an amazing banner :D

    xxx

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  49. ladydazy15 July 2011 at 20:46

    Good for you for not speaking English to the annoying waiter. What languages can you speak, unfortunately, I only speak English. I want to learn Spanish!

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  50. Unknown15 July 2011 at 20:47

    love your floral dress! your sandals are super cute too.

    http://www.diyainherstilettos.com/

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  51. dahhlayne15 July 2011 at 22:56

    Oh gosh!! That human castle is putting the "mommy" mode in me on full blast!! Even though I am not a mommy at all...I am still feeling the same paranoia as any mother would. haha Anyways, that is crazy. Usually don't see people doing that on a regular basis in my hometowon. Good thing that kid is wearing a helmet.
    Such vibrant culture you are immersing yourself in. :)

    forte-espressivo.blogspot.com

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  52. Annebeth15 July 2011 at 23:36

    everything about this is stunning, I really want that dress and the orange is so JUICY! :D love your pictures of authentic spain, as always :)

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  53. Diana16 July 2011 at 05:12

    that human castle is insane! i hope you didn't jump up there too ;) lovely dress! its the best when you find something great that is lying around your place :) xo

    http://dressedupallligators.blogspot.com/

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  54. Idée Géniale16 July 2011 at 05:17

    I love everything about this outfit! that dress is stunning. and those shoe!! gah. love.

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  55. Kristin16 July 2011 at 15:02

    That dress is beautiful!

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  56. thegirlhassparke16 July 2011 at 16:46

    gorgeous photos love the orange dress!

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  57. Closet Fashionista16 July 2011 at 17:40

    Oooh love that dress! Sooo pretty!!!
    and that human castle looks scary...haha...not sure I would want to do it in the street :p
    http://www.closet-fashionista.com/

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  58. eagle-eye-cherry16 July 2011 at 23:42

    the dress is very nice, hope you have sunny days in London

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  59. Jazzy E (Hivenn)17 July 2011 at 15:32

    You look lovely in orange! What a beautiful place. x hivenn

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  60. Dus of Cuddly Cacti20 July 2011 at 01:20

    Oh, I meant I had a hard time finding NOT bad ice cream in Spain! It all just seemed so average to me. & are you moving soon? You mentioned you had to pack up everything in only one suitcase in your comment.

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