Barcelona Blogs

I took the Barcelona metro on my own for the first time in Barcelona when doing some exploring on my own. While that might sound small, it opened my eyes to how much urban transportation reflects access, planning, and policy questions. In both Barcelona and Girona, I’ve been paying close attention to how people move, and it’s rarely by car. Most locals rely on public transit, biking, or walking, and that says a lot about what these cities prioritize. Through this experience, I saw real-world connections to POL 399, where I researched how urban design reflects power, and POL 150, where we looked at how governments express their ideologies through law and polices. In Barcelona, taking the metro was surprisingly very easy. It has easy access with my Metro card, and is clearly prioritized in the city’s layout. Unlike many U.S. cities that treat public transit as a backup for those without cars, Barcelona makes it central. I couldn’t help but think about the “Pels trens que ens mereixem” pr...

 I had the chance to visit ARA, Catalonia's most widely read newspaper in the Catalan language. It was more than just a press visit—it turned into a real conversation about who belongs in Barcelona, what defines Catalonia, and how space, language, and identity are working together- or not working. ARA was founded in 2010, right as Catalonia's push for independence was regaining momentum, and it still takes a clear stance in defending Catalan culture, language, and journalism. Speaking with one of the journalists helped me see how all these ideas connect, especially citizenship, land use, nationalism, and culture preservation.  When I asked about tourism and immigration, the response was pointed. The journalist told me the problem isn't just how many tourists come, but how they disrespect Catalan culture and language, treating the city like a playground rather than a place with its own traditions and history. That's part of why, he said, Catalans are so sensitive about o...

I visited the Catalan National Assembly (ANC) for a presentation on Catalonia's independence movement, and I walked away with a new understanding of how urban space, memory, and identity are tied to politics. The speaker covered a lot of the trauma of the Franco era to the present-day challenges of organizing referendums in Catalonia. What stood out the most was how landscape and law have shaped Catalonia's political path, especially in contrast with the Basque Country.  When I asked a question about whether the Basque independence movement was similar, the answer was that organizing mass protests and political action is harder in Catalonia than in the Basque region, but this is due to urban accessibility. The Basque Country is mountainous and decentralized, making hiding, organizing, and avoiding government suppression easier. By Contrast, Catalonia's flat terrain and dense urban layout- especially around Barcelona make it easier for the Spanish government to control and r...

 This morning, or more accurately, afternoon, I got a wake-up call I wasn't expecting- literally. Police sirens and shouting filled the street right outside my hostel. When I got out of bed to look outside the window, around 50-60 protesters were gathered with signs, megaphones, and, yes, water guns, firing them at people who walked out of the hostel. Someone sprayed graffiti on the walls that read, "Tourists Go Home." It turns out my hostel was a main pitstop for this anti-tourism protest.  While the water guns seemed silly, the protesters were serious. They were calling attention to how mass tourism is transforming the city, pushing out locals, raising housing costs, and eroding community life. In POL 399, I researched about how cities reflect the priorities of the policies in which they make, and how urban space can become contested when local needs and outsiders clash. Seeing this protest made it clear, tourism isn't just about economic questions here, it's a ...

This week, we decided to go in instead of walking outside the buildings and sightseeing. I visited the Museu d'Historia de Catalunya, and wow, I didn't expect it to be so informational about both of my classes. A lot of different material showed up, such as questions about Catalonia's identity, citizenship, urban life, and power. The exhibits basically walked me through Catalonia's whole political identity crisis, and I couldn't stop thinking about what it means to belong somewhere that's always pushing back against the idea of being just one thing- Spanish, Catalan, national, independent, or not.  One of the most powerful exhibits talked about how Catalonia regained political autonomy in 1977, after Franco's dictatorship ended. The museum described this as the longest period of self-rule since 1714, and emphasized how autonomy allowed the Catalan government to invest in social welfare, education, and public participation. In POL 150, to be considered a ...

  On a Sunny afternoon, I visited La Sagrada Familia and learned about its architecture through a guide. Its intricate design covers every portion of its body, and its ambitious structure left me awestruck. Gaudí's masterpiece isn't just a church but a living symbol of Barcelona's identity, culture, and even political tension. As beautiful as it is, I was surprised to hear from a tour guide that not everyone sees it the same way. While many admire it as a global architectural treasure, others, especially locals, criticize the project as a misuse of city funds. Some argue that the decades-long construction (140 years) is more about attracting tourists than serving the city's needs. These critics view the cathedral as a luxury in Barcelona that they cannot afford. Expecially since other accommodations seemed underbudgeted in the city. This idea is between public spending on cultural symbols vs. essential services, which reminded me of how public spaces reflect political p...