Beneath the City

Hi all, well lots of interesting workshops happening in the last couple weeks. This past week is one that we have each year about public space and functions of the city. It's truly one of my favorites because we see so many things that we would probably have no idea were happening culturally and in the city if it weren't for our professor. She does a lot of digging and leg work to get us into some of these places - maybe you remember the one from last year where we went to the occupied farmhouse in the outskirts called Can Masdeu? Oh well, anyway, here is what we did last week.

We went to an old industrial part of the city called Can Battlo, which was bought by a rich developer some years ago and its a huge area of old textile factories which the developer wants to turn into some sort of North American, highrise type park which really does not reflect the community or what the people need. Anyhow, it has been sitting untouched for years and so finally the neighbourhood said if you don't do something with it soon, then we will. So last year they took over one of the buildings and are working, with some support from the government to turn it into a library and community hall space. The old buildings are really beautiful and could easily be turned into a university campus or something like some of the old industrial places in the city. Lots of potential. Hopefully the other project never actually gets built!

After that we went to a less local place, actually another factory which will soon be demolished in the new technology district of the city, which has been taken over by a large group of people (50+) most of whom are immigrants from various places, but it would seem the majority are from Africa. Anyhow we met the leader of the group who gave us a full tour of the place - amazing! He speaks 12 languages, everyone comes to him with the problems and he seems to be quite charismatic. Anyhow, there are people all over the city pushing shopping carts full of everything that they find in the streets and the trash - they take these things back to this place (they call it Calafrica) and here they sort, recycle, and ship what they don't use themselves to factories for recycling in Africa. They have converted the space to live and work in, they have discotecas set up, restaurant, everything! Anyhow, here are some photos of it all.

Twenty Something

You know? As a teenager, I knew exactly what I wanted I just had no idea how to get there. As a twenty something (so far) I feel like I have no idea where I'm going, no idea what I really want, but I'm always going somewhere, kind of like a speeding car with  no steering wheel. I have to tell you that it's frustrating, and stressful. I don't know if it's like this for everyone. 

It's coming very close to the time where I'm going to have to make the next big decision. If I can't stay in Spain, where will I go? What will I do? Will I need to learn another language? Will it be as wonderful as Barcelona has been? Will I try to get my stamp, or will I go down the urban planning road? With every decision there is some kind of sacrifice, like being close to the family, giving up something I have, but always of course the potential to gain a lot. Starting over just isn't really that easy. There are so many uncertainties and I wish I could just know the answers. 

That's my rant about being twenty something. 

Yesterday night was the free museum night as I told you, Nuno, Nima and I went to MACBA (museum of contemporary art) and MnAC (National Art museum of Catalunya). They are 2 of the biggest museums in the city and actually by midnight I had had it and was ready for bed - so we didn't hardly see any of MnAC but they have some really nice exhibits! Some beautiful paintings of spanish landscapes. There was also a temporary exhibit of art from the 1400's- incredible that something could last 600 years and look that great! 

Today there is a little afternoon tea type thing at Nimas to celebrate his girlfriend Elena moving in and getting a job after graduating, and also for Maricela's one year in Spain anniversary. Other than that I am going to do my chores for the week and work on my thesis. I wish I was going camping though! That's something that I really miss. 

Anyhow, Jackie comes in one week - better go make a list of stuff I want her to bring me ;)

<3

Strange Dreams

Well, I suppose I must have a little bit of stress or something, because my roomate tells me that he has heard me a couple times through the wall screaming/yelling/crying in the middle of the night while I'm sleeping. Strange. Anyhow, last night I actually remember my dream - it was about.... STEPHANIE! (who rarely reads this blog so she'll probably never know that I'm telling you this).

So we are at the zoo, looking around and she's telling me about some experiment with these animals and then she says Come on! Come see the polar bears! ... and we get to the cage, and there is only a seal there, the polar bear is somewhere behind the rocks so she decides it's going to be a good idea to go between the bars and go around inside the cage... I'm FREAKING out and can't stay and watch and see what happens so I leave her there and get away so I don't get in trouble, and some time later, dad comes and finds me and tells me that yep- she got caught and has a 350$ ticket. And that was that!

So the weekend is here and tonight is Museum night again! Where all the museums in the city are free between 7pm and 1am, so I'm going to try and hit a few that I've been wanting to check out :) It's of course on the condition that I get some serious work done today. I think that if I can be highly productive for the next 4 days maybe this crazy sleeping is going to stop and I won't feel so tired!

Anyway, I realized that I haven't put up any photos in a while, so I'll put up a few randoms to make this post seem more interesting ;)

Happy May long weekend, in true Alberta fashion, I hope it snows (jk!)
<3

Workshops

Well we are having a lot of interesting workshops this year - or maybe just workshops that I am more interested in?! Anyhow, I'm really loving school and right now we have a very interesting lecturer talking to us about getting our work published. The assignment yesterday was to write our abstract and since no one really knows what I'm doing (including myself most days) I thought since it was short and sweet I'd put it for you to read.

That's it really. Love you all, miss you all.

Satellite Cities and Suburban Reality Past Peak Oil

Abstract (back cover)

Why do we continue to live on the edges, expanding the periphery of urban centers

forever outward, despite all the documented environmental and social problems which

arise from this form of development and growth? Perhaps it is the sentimentality, that

we long to recreate the childhoods, traditions and memories we had ourselves for the

future generations. Perhaps it is the paradox of loving nature so immensely, as most

Canadians will tell you they do, that you want to forever be closer to it, ironically loving it

to death. Or perhaps, as James Lorimer suggests, it is just the best (or only) housing

option that The Developers have produced for our consumption.

As we enter turbulent economic times, and the world is being politically shaken as a

result, it is time to start thinking long term. The reality, is that our education, healthcare,

trade, food and communication are all heavily supported by the oil industry in some

fashion and if this is a so called “crisis” what will we call it once the system of oil has

collapsed? There are plenty of theories of gloom and doom being spewed by Kunstler

and the likes, but I take a firm stance that satellite cities and suburbs could actually

prosper and be better off than those living in urban centers post peak oil. Mass

production has produced mass consumption, and led us into an era of mass problems.

Is there a mass solution for suburban nations? This book gives perspective into the

cultural and social structure supporting the suburbs, and the little known or accepted

reality of dependence and chain-of-reliance on oil within society. The final proposal is

one which applied locally could be learned from globally, as the next step for suburban

renewal and sustainability and how to work with what we have.

Happy Mothers Day

Well, it's Mothers day in a lot of other parts of the world today, including home so a very Happy day to all the moms in the fam :)

I survived the first week back at school and work! The weather made a very sudden shift and it was about 27 degrees for the majority of the week, so I feel it's safe to say that summer is officially here! My clothes are drying in an afternoon and I can't bear to wear more than shorts and a tank top. I thought I had climatized, but apparently summer just hadn't shown up yet haha!

So! School! It's a different year at school because they have joined the program with another University to make the degree an officially recognized Master degree, eligible for doctorate studies within Europe. What does this mean for North American credentials? I'm not sure, probably nothing, but it's okay, the joint means that we have some better facilities and such. There actually aren't that many classes for the 2nd years but we are invited to attend all the 1st year courses as well, so I figure why not? I paid tuition, so I may as well go to every class that I can! I also submitted my thesis progress report to recieve the credit for the work over the last year. It was busy, but nice to be back at it.

I also started work this week, It's about 10 hours more or less each week just making calls and inviting people to events. Not my favourite job, but whatever, it pays rent and in June I get to go to Portugal for a week! Hooray! The combination means that I was pretty tired this week though, hopefully the change in schedule gets a bit easier next week.

Alright, time to get out of bed and hit the gym. Have a great day everyone, miss you lots.
<3

About the protests last week

I think I forgot to mention that last week while I was sick there was another big day of protesting of students and health people (I believe). Anyhow, that morning all the dumpsters from my street were removed (remember the fires I showed last time?) And then a few days later, this image is going around facebook and it's just too funny! So I had to share with you.  What does it all say and mean? Well basically it says about the burning dumpster "for the duration of.... do not recreate this scene" and then it shows an image of how many police were in the center for the protest and how many dumpsters as well and then it says "practically 2 police for every dumpster" with them gaurding the dumpster hahah! And then it says "Visit Barcelona, the safest dumpsters in Euorpe!" Hahahahh oh boy, so funny! Hope you find it as great as I do :)

Feria, Sicnkess, School & Work

Well since it's been quite a while now since I wrote a real post about everything new, this one certainly has a lot to cover! I would have written sooner, however I've been sick in and flat out in bed for the last 3 days. Today I woke up and I don't know if I just decided that enough was enough, or if I actually feel better, however I feel more human finally!

I had 2 weeks of company, it was crazy busy and relaxing all at the same time. We saw a lot of sights, had a lot of great food and of course had a few evenings out enjoying the very cheap drinks. Especially after coming from a country as expensive as Sweden, Suzanne was amazed by the prices, so we took full advantage :)

I start school on Monday, I am not in the least bit prepared, however I'm going to try to play a bit of catchup this weekend and just get ready for the craziness to begin. I'm nervous and excited really. I've also been offered some more work, originally 20 hrs/week but have only committed to 10 so I'll be doing that a couple days a week as well.

Last weekened we went to a Feria! A carnival/amusement park/mish mash of everything set up in the Forum, more of the southern spanish culture and commodities like the flamenco dancing and food! I wish we had things like this in Canada, so much fun and exciting and CHEAP! Unlike Stampede, which is outrageously expensive and to me - not all that fun OR cultural - each ride here is only 3 euros and you only have to wait for 10 mins or so in line! Fantastic! Maricela and I did "The bomber" the one on really long arms that swings in giant circles! Here are a few photos. (PS- Note the GIANT, most GIANT EVER pan of Paella that they are cooking! It was unbelievable!)

Anyhow, that's the update for today. Don't forget it's Mothers Day this weekend!