Girona
Welcome to Spain
Spain or Catalonia? The independence sentiment in the autonomous region of Catalonia is pretty strong if the ubuiquity of
yellow ribbons and Catalonian flags (La Estelada) festooned from trees, lamp posts and balconies is any guide.
Girona is the capital of Girona province, the north-eastern end of the north-eastern region of Catalonia that borders France and Andorra.
A 2 hour wait in a broken down train on the way there and independence sentiments aside Girona was a positive introduction to Spain.
Clean, green, walkably compact (just over 100,000 citizens) and catering to tourism without surrendering to it. It's main features are
the old city, the university, the 40 hectare La Devesa park, the intersecting River Onyar and neo-classical Placa de la Independencia.
It is the old city though that is the drawcard - hands down. Established wayback when hairy Germanic Visigoths settled over the top of
a Roman citadel it has a distinctly medieval feel of narrow, cobbled streets and alleys with remnants from its Moorish and Jewish history.
The old city is a lived-in museum with modern commerce conducted at street level in charming, centuries-old stone shop fronts with
small shady plazas scattered about from which to absorb the historical vibe. Vino in hand if desired.
At Bevvy's urging we entered what could easily have passed as an old pub - a pintxo bar to try out pinchos.
Platters on a counter were stacked high with morsels of various deliciousness toothpicked to baguette slices. We piled our plates with
our preferred options and ordered up some icy beers. The pinchos are paid for per toothpick on the way out. Bevvy earned herself a
merit stamp for her "yes dear©" insistance that we try it.
© Bruce
Portbou
Lyn, Bev, Rita and Chris took up the notion of a day trip to Portbou - the most north-eastern town of north-eastern Catalonia in
north-eastern Spain. By all reports it is a pleasant place to sit on a balcony sipping rosé overlooking the Mediterranian and,
while being able to see France, not having to actually speak to any of its snooty, striped skivvied, bereted, baguetted, bicycling
inhabitants.
