In those times when I used to live more on the social media (now I don’t, and phew, what a relief :)) – I liked to post photos from my trips, even if they were the old ones. Especially on the dark autumn and winter days when I couldn’t find any inspiration in Oslo – I would go for my old pics. And the people who met me seldom would say: “You travel so much. Always photos from the trips”. But these are the old ones, people (and I wouldn’t usually hide that fact).
Today I want to share the photos from our last year’s trip to Catalonia. When we visited a small town of Besalú, hidden between hills and mountains. So that someone can say – on meeting me randomly – “But gosh, you travel so much!” 🙂
That October was a special one for Catalonia as it launched its referendum, with vote for the region’s independence. This is why you’d see a lot of posters saying “Si” (that is “Yes”), hanging from the windows and balconies. So, in the last days of this October I wanted to recollect the bright light of the last October. Saying “si” to it, in my own way 🙂
Besalu is a sweet medieval town, tranquil and authentic. With some influence of tourism but not so much. It has this great bridge and the town walls which make it into a great sight from the river banks. Some old streets, a church and a cathedral. I would not tell you its story as I didn’t learn about it – and I don’t like citing Wikipedia on my blog (I guess, everyone knows where he can read more if he would wish :))
What I can tell you, that Wikipedia doesn’t probably mention, is that the food there was so good! In huge Barcelona the quality can vary, and there are many enough tourist traps there. But in the small hidden towns the food is usually good. Blame it on the loyal customers who crave quality, or closeness to France – but for the total of 13-14 euros we had a menu, full of good taste and delicate serving. I would come back again just for that memorable meal! 🙂
More I would not tell. Make up your own mind, walking these medieval streets. Let me know if something catches your eye. Say yes 🙂
And may you walk in beauty!
(click on any photo to see it full size in the gallery)
Me Exploring 
Beautiful shots!! I was in Scotland right before their referendum in 2014. I remember asking our tour bus driver about his thoughts and opinions. I’d love to visit that region of Spain again!
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Interesting story! I was totally involved, living with a Catalan family, going to the voting station and demonstration, seeing all those crowds. It was a very emotional time there))
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That food does look so good! I’m really missing European food here in China right now.
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Oh dear, I guess that any European food will look attractive to you. Poor! Is it that part of the world where they have rice instead of french fries in McDonalds? 🙊😱 I would die without potatoes (Ukrainian power source 😆). What do you miss the most?
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No, they have French fries at McDonald’s! You can find almost any western food here, it’s just super expensive and of much poorer quality. But potatoes are quite common and cheap.
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Wiii! I would survive in China)) My friend was in Filipinas and she said there were no potatoes, only rice everywhere 😱😱 wow, charging so much for such thing as European food… no comments))
What about local food? Getting tired of it?
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I mean it has to be imported, so it makes sense. People also forget that there is such a huge variety of Chinese food, you might like one region’s food but not the food of wherever you are. Also a lot of the time the ingredients are just not of a high quality like in the EU
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And maybe, it is viewed a special delicacy, so those who crave for, must pay the price :)) Right, China is so huge, that is maybe difficult to talk about ONE Chinese food :))
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This is a most excellent post, photos and town. You were there at a historic time and the Yes photos are priceless. I love that bridge too! And the arches!! My favourite photo is of the river with the flag in the foreground on the right. ❤ I'm sure you'll be back. 🙂
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Hvala, Manja, for such a hearty response! 😊 Yes, the times were surely historical. I am glad I had a chance to walk the Catalan streets then. They still recollect this period on the Catalan tv, especially now in October, of course.
That river and a flag pic gives me a medieval vibe of someone waiting in that tower, watching over river (princess?)). I would love to go back (and eat again too 😆)
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Eeee, you looked around for hvala! Hvala for that! 🙂 Do you know how to pronounce it? You must know because you’re a Slav. Westerners have quite big problems with it. And for you it’s cpaciba too? 😉
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Come on, four years in Rovinj and not learning basics like hvala and zjivile?😆😆 I have practiced my pronunciation there)) and it was ok to communicate in Croatian and Ukrainian too, we understood each other 😊
“Spasiba” for me, and “Djakuju” for my Ukrainian part.
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Oh! Djakuju in like Czech, or similar, no? You must mean živeli! 😀 Cin cin to you too! And na zdravje!
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Do you say “na zdravje” too? Cuz Russians don’t say it. It is a common misunderstanding that they do – and they get so upset on hearing it))) Russians say different toasts to every drink. And Ukrainians say “Budmo!”
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Hahha, they don’t?? Who says “Na zdarovje” then?? Good to know how to upset a Russian, hihii. Budmo then! (Yes, in Slovenian is Na zdravje. Buditi is a verb in Slovenian meaning “to wake up”. 🙂
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I guess, the Poles do (not sure though). Russians say “na zdorovje” as “you are welcome” (one of answers for thank you). Something got mixed along the way, and now every non-Russian says it, and every Russian goes green :))) Now you know how 😉
“buditj” is “to wake up” in Russian too (“budyty” in Ukrainian). “Budmo” is something like the future form of the verb “to be”, like “We shall”. It is a strange word, only used as a toast, so I am not sure on its origin. But budmo, we shall 😉 or we will 🙂
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Yep. “Bomo” in Slovenian. 😉 We’re such brothers!
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We are, we are! 🙂
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Ohhh, I made a BIG mistake: živeli is Serbian. 😮 Živjeli is Croatian. 😉
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Haha, I would not see the difference. I learnt by listening 😆
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Lovely photos, Marina!! There are so many places I still don’t know in my own country! I love to see my country through the lenses of people from other places, sometimes they even capture things that I can’t perceive as I see them every day (or I saw, it’s been already six years since I moved from Spain and I only go there for holidays or weddings or things like that, hahaha). Is that medieval town in Girona? I think it’s the only region in Cataluña I’ve never visited and I only see or read wonderful things about it! 🙂
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Thank, Mercedes, and muchas gracias 😊 I must admit the same about my other two home countries: Ukraine and Norway. In Ukraine I never had money to travel. In Norway I had the money but whenever I had a chance I would fly to the sun. So when people say “oh, Norway, so beautiful, the nature” I go “mmm, yes”. Cuz I haven’t seen more nature that forests around Oslo and mountains on the road to the West coast 🙊🙈😆
Besalu is a tiny town not far from Girona. More interior, in the area called Ruta de los Volcanos. Girona is nice too! Very special. Not like the rest of Catalunya. I love this diversity!
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Interesting medieval town. I have never had a large interest in visiting Spain before, yet I see intriguing photos like these, and it makes me want to visit there! Is it really hot there? Is it very different from Portugal?
And just to add to the debate about language with Manja Mexi above, it is the Poles who do say “na zdorovje” as “cheers” or a toast, as I was taught that when I was in Poland, – at least that is what all the Poles told us tourists!! Languages are so interesting in their similarities, and how the same word has developed a different meaning in another country.
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I am not a big expert on Portugal, I have seen only few places there. But Spain is certainly worth a visit – a series of visits even. Bc Spain is a complex of provinces that are more like different countries. From Southern Andalucia, with its Arabic heritage, to the Northern Basque Country, totally different, with its world-famous restaurants. To Catalonia, both medieval and Roman, and then the interior Spain full of old traditional places. I visited some places – and there is so much to discover! and of course it is hot there, but only in summer :)) The rest of the year is mostly mild and nice for travels, though there can be snow in the North and in the mountains.
Aha, now we know, it is the Poles, and everyone transfers it to Russians :)) Yes, the close languages are always fun to study. For us, Slavs, some words in the neighbor countries sound just hilarious :))
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Thanks for the comprehensive tour of Spain. It certainly has variety! I thin n the Roman province sounds most appealing
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My pleasure! I hope once to cover this tour for myself and do more photos and posts about it :)) An exciting country it is!
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I will look forward to that!!
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