Category: Culture

Expats From Around the World Share the Spanish Norms They Find Strange

It’s inevitable to move to a new country and not begin noticing all the little things that are different from back home. Of course, what is ‘normal’ is completely relative. That’s what makes moving to a new country all the more exciting. Expats get to experience the small or sometimes...

Easter Traditions in Spain: Las Monas de Pascua

Semana Santa (Holy Week) for Christians is a special time in Spain. Although the reputedly religious South of Spain is more well-known for its Easter traditions, pastry shop windows in Barcelona will be filled with las monas de pascua for the occasion. Las monas de pascua are hollow chocolate sculptures that symbolize the...

All About Celebrating Carnival in Barcelona

It’s that time of the year again in Barcelona! Get ready to pig out, drink, dress up and get wild during the seven days of fun leading up to Lent, a time of abstinence for Catholics. Carnival (Carnaval in Catalan) starts on February 23, Dijous Gras (Fat Thursday), with...

A Quick Guide to Castellers: Human Towers, a Catalan Tradition

The casteller tradition, specific to the region of Catalonia, Spain is said to have originated during the 18th century near Tarragona, where different colla (teams of castellers) began competing against one another to see who could create the tallest human castle possible. In 2010, castells were added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural...

Eat Like a Local: The Ultimate Hawaii Foodie list

I’ve been living outside of my home state for some time now and there are a few dishes that I miss dearly and haven’t been able to accurately recreate in the kitchen. These dishes just don’t taste the same if you’re not eating them after a long day at...

Girona: Exploring the Spring Flower Festival, Temps de Flors

The Temps de Flors (Time of Flowers) festival in Girona is held every year in May for two weekends. The old part of the city (Barri Vell) is transformed with beautiful flower displays and homages to Mother Nature and the spring season. My favorite part of the festival is...