Tapear

TAPAS

En muchas regiones de España es bastante habitual salir a cenar los fines de semana a base de tapear, verbo que se refiere al consumir un aperitivo, o "tapa", junto con una bebida.

El tapear mezcla el concepto de comer con el de socializar. En España, los cafés y restaurantes típicamente son lugares de reunión y ofrecen el espacio ideal para degustar un aperitivo y compartir unos copas con amigos. De este concepto sale la expresión 'ir de tapas', o sea, ir de forma itinerante por diversos establecimientos con el fin de consumir unos aperitivos.




El tapeo se hace de pie en la barra del lugar y por eso se considera un tentempié. Y la costumbre es tomar una o dos tapas en un sitio y luego pasar a otro lugar, repitiendo el proceso. Esa tradición va cambiando, y ahora hay una gran variedad de sitios desde el bar de la esquina hasta el restaurante de un chef de prestigio que se dedican a la elaboración de estos platos.

Confieso que soy un aficionado, especialmente en Barcelona donde la oferta culinaria es impresionante. A continuación, indico tres de mis tapas favoritas.

• Pulpo á feira: Es un plato tradicional de Galicia y básico en su gastronomía. El plato origina en las fiestas, ferias y romerías de Galicia y El Bierzo (León), de ahí su nombre "á feira". Y ha pasado como plato tradicional en la cocina española.  El pulpo se cocina en el agua hirviendo según el origen del pulpo y su peso. Luego se le rocía con abundante aceite de oliva, pimentón y sal gorda. En algunas ocasiones, se acompaña con patatas cocidas con piel.
• Pa amb tomàquet: Significa "pan con tomate"en catalán y es uno de los platos fundamentales en la cocina catalana. Consiste en una rebanada de pan tostado con medio tomate maduro restregado y aliñado con aceite de oliva y sal. Está considerado como el ejemplo más clave de la dieta catalana.
• Croquetas: De origen francés, las croqueta es una porción de masa hecha con un picadillo de diversos ingredientes y ligado con bechamel, un roux blanco. La masa se reboza en huevo y pan rallado y se fríe en aceite abundante. Suele tener forma redonda u ovalada. De pollo y de jamón suelen ser las más habituales. Soy un poco tradicional y prefiero las de jamón.

Las ofertas gastronómicas de Barcelona son muchas y permiten conocer la cultura española a través de su ambiente sozializante. Os aconsejo aprovechar vuestra estancia en Barcelona y disfrutar de las magníficas tradiciones.

Barcelona 2015

Barcelona

In 2015, the KU Summer Language Institute will again return to Barcelona, the cosmopolitan capital of Spain’s Catalunya region. The city's landmarks are plentiful, spectacular, and welcoming.

The Ciudat Vella houses many structures from the Middle Ages and Renaissance. The Eixample developed during the 19th-century and contains wide boulevards, incredible Modernisme buildings, and imposing monuments to the city's emergence as an economic powerhouse. The quaint neighborhoods of Sarrià, Gràcia, and Pedralbes lend a small-town flavor to this metropolis of nearly 1.6 million.
 
But Barcelona is much more. The modernist architecture of Antoni Gaudí created unique structures that challenged traditional architectural styles and produced innovative designs that still have an impact on the city. Sagrada Familia, considered Gaudí's masterwork, has left an influential mark on the city, and its iconic architecture continues to define the city's identity.

Every year I visit Barcelona, I try to absorb the beauty of this city. If you visit the Parc Güell, another of Gaudí's creations, take a moment to experience the views of the city. The Parc, built on a rocky hill (Muntanya Pelada or "Bare Mountain" in English), has magnificent views of the city, the harbor area and the Mediterranean. It is worth the climb and walk to the mountain.

View of Barcelona

A sentimental pastime of mine is to sample the various tapas of the ´Ciudad Condal´. I enjoy seeking out tapas restaurants and experiencing the neighborhoods that surround these establishments. I try to search for filled with local people and far from the tourist routes where the food is usually prepared with authenticity and served with simplicity by an attentive staff.

Most of  all, I return to reconnect with this city and to discover new places, share time with old friends. I did the tourist thing years ago. Now when I return to the plaças and ramblas, I seek to discover new details and facets of Barcelona.

Plaça de Catalunya

 What will you discover?













To access an online map of the city with other information about visiting Barcelona click here.

Terminal 4 at Madrid-Barajas Airport.

Madrid's Terminal 4 at the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas airport is a relatively new structure. Completed in 2006, the terminal remains one of the largest airport terminals in the world. The design by Antonio Lamela and Richard Rogers utilizes large undulating canopies with domes which allow natural light to enter into the terminal area. The use of large expanses of windows also gives the terminal an open. light feel.

Many of the design elements seem futuristic, unusual, and abstract. The colors also vary, giving the travelers a sense of play and variety.

Throughout the Terminal, one finds food courts and shopping areas making the experience and stay at the airport more relaxing and welcoming.

The Terminal offers connection with Madrid´s Metro system and with the interurban rail service. In addition,  express buses link the airport to various parts of the city.

The Spanish Ministerio de Fomento has renamed the airport Aeropuerto Adolfo Suárez, Madrid–Barajas. This change seeks to honor Suárez's role as the first Prime Minister of Spain after the restoration of democracy.with the dissolution of Franco's Dictatorship.

Hopefully, you will have the opportunity to fly into Terminal 4 and experience its unique spaces.

Barcelona 2014

Barcelona

In 2014, I will once more be directing the KU Summer Language Institute in Barcelona. I always look forward to returning to this impressive city.

The city's landmarks are plentiful, spectacular, and welcoming. The Ciudat Vella houses many structures from the Middle Ages and Renaissance. The Eixample developed during the 19th-century contains wide boulevards, incredible Modernisme buildings, and imposing monuments to the city's emergence as an economic powerhouse. The neighborhoods of Sarrià, Gràcia, and Pedralbes lend a small-town flavor to this metropolis of nearly 1.6 million.

View of Barcelona from the mirador Blau.

And Barcelona is much more. I like to ride the Tramvía Blau to the mirador that overlooks the city. I absorb the vast beauty of this city and look for the moon to rise over the Mediterranean.

And I visit Santa María del Mar with frequency to study the Catalan Gothic and absorb as much medieval as possible. Of course, there is the required stroll to el Born to sample the tapas from the establishments in that area.

A sentimental favorite of mine is a visit to Café San Telmo on the Carrer de Buenos Aires. The ambiance is comfortable and relaxed. Usually filled with people, but never too crowded. Food is usually well-prepared, served with simplicity by pleasant staff.


Most of  all, I return to reconnect with this city and to discover new places, share time with old friends. I did the tourist thing years ago. When I return to the plaças and ramblas, I seek to discover the various facets of Barcelona.

 What will you discover?

Qué hacer este fin de semana

Sugerencias:

• "Devorar París. Picasso 1900-1907", Museu Picasso Primer domingo de mes: entrada gratuita.
•  Casa Batlló, impresionante edificio por Gaudí, Precio: 10 euros.
• El Zoo de Barcelona, Precios: adultos, 16,50 €.; http://www.zoobarcelona.com
  
• Aquarium de Barcelona, Precios: adultos, 17,75 €.: http://www.aquariumbcn.com