Iye Rosanna Barcelona: 03/06/10

Get Your Street Fashion Fix at 24 Kilates

Iye:

As we were walking through the El Born district we came across a shop call 24 Kilates. Kilates means gold and their accessories were definitely gleaming as such. The interesting toy art and graphic design on the window pane was what drew us in. Right when we walked in we were amazed by the urban street art graffiti style theme. The entire showroom is dedicated to urban culture and all the merchandise was displayed very fittingly. Keeping in mind that the showroom isn't quite big it offers a massive collection of limited edition sneakers from every brand including Nike, New Balance and many more. The stores street wear theme was exceptional even though its not my style I knew I could find something my younger brother would love. This store fits his taste perfectly. In addition to sneakers, toy art, and accessories the store also has sells a fabulous collection of street wear style clothing and books. The owner, Pol, takes into account Barcelona's art history in the designs of some of the shoe collections. In the past he's released shoes featuring the work of the famous architect and modern artist Gaudí and Miró. The owner's business savvy has skyrocketed it to the premier urban wear shop in Barcelona a style category that up until recently was nonexistent in this urban metropolis. When they first opened up the majority of their clientele were foreigners. Now, even Barcelona natives are lining up outside or even camping out upon the release of the latest footwear. March 2010 marks their 5th year anniversary so be on the lookout for some of the most exclusive products and promotions celebrating this event. I highly recommend this shop for anyone into the urban street wear culture and skateboarding.

Opens from 11-2pm and 4 to 9pm

Area El Born

Address C/ Comerç 29

Photos and Sources:

24 Kilates
monizanocchi

myspace pictures

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Cultural Tips

Iye:
Tipping: There are no set rules for tipping, however locals don't tip much. Generally in a restaurant a 5-10% tip is fair , but if the service was bad you don't have to tip. In bars people usually leave a little change. It's common to tip to the nearest euro for taxis and restaurants and a bit more if is high class.

Identity Issues: Never imply to a Barcelona native that he's from a region of Spain or that he speaks a variation of Spanish. You will very likely get berated for this. Catalans are very proud of their unique history, culture, and language so be mindful of this.

Greetings: It's typical for women to give each other, or a man to a woman and visa versa 'dos besos' two air kisses on each cheek even if they are strangers. Be aware that Spaniards tend to have a little closer personal space than Americans.

Meals: In the Mediterranean restaurants usually open around 1:30pm for lunch, and 9:30pm for dinner. If you meet up with locals for a meal expect them to be reasonable on time, but not exactly on the dot. Expect to pay just your share of the bill unless someone's invited to pay.

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A Museum You Can Eat!

Iye:

Museu de la Xocolata

The museum, Museu de la Xocolata opened its doors in 2000. Chocolate and pastry makers of the Confectionary Guild of Barcelona put together the initiative to make this museum a reality. The museum building, formerly a convent, features a delectable collection of chocolate sculptures and characters ranging from Finding Nemo, Chicken Run, and many more. In addition, pastry chefs created intricate reproductions of Gaudí's buildings and sculptures constructed entirely of chocolate and confections. The exhibitions begins with the New World explorers discovering the cocoa bean, the commercialization and ends with chocolate as a form of art. This place is an absolute delight for children with the audio visual shows and touch screen computers that make chocolate history come alive if I may add sweeten the learning experience. Rosanna and I reserved in advance a weekend dessert making lesson, which I'm sure will be super exciting. Every Easter the Museu de la Xocolata serves at the venue for the annual mona competition. Monas are chocolate sculptures invented by Catalans. Every week chocolate makers try to beat each other by trying to create the most artistic and unique pieces and displaying them in their shop windows. The entire exhibition is bound to leave you craving for some delicious chocolate. Not to fear the museum cafe will surely fulfill your chocolate craving with hot chocolate and scrumptious bonbons.

Open: Mon-Sat 10am-7pm; Sun 10am-3pm

Area: El Borne

Address: Comerç 36

Public Transport: Metro Jaume I or Arc de Triomf

Telephone: 93-268-78-78

Admission: 4.30€ ($5.60), seniors and students 15% discount, children 7 and under free

Photos and Sources:

Pastisseria

Frommers

brianyuen

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Casa Batlló Simply Stunning

Iye:

Casa Batlló (1904-1906)

This afternoon Roanna and I got to visit Casa Batlló. The house restored by Antoni Gaudí is one of three adjacent houses on the fashionable boulevard ‘Passeig de Gracia’ between the years 1898 and 1906. The buildings were constructed by some of the most notable modernist architects of the period including Puig i Cadafalch who designed Casa Amatller and Domènech i Montaner who designed Casa Lléo Morera. Each of the three houses feature a unique interpretation of the modernist style. Casa Batlló has the most impressive and intricate detail of the three houses. The house, originally built between 1875 and 1877 was dramatically upscaled by Gaudí the most extensively the façade, redistribution of the internal wall, and amplification of its light. The locals call it Casa dels ossos meaning House of the Bones and there's no mystery as to why. The exterior is strikingly similar to a skeleton. Like many other works by Gaudí the Modernisme or Art Nouveau style is profoundly present. The design of the ground floor especially is amazing with the oblique oval windows, fluid sculpted stone work, and tracery. Throughout the entire structure straight lines are completely avoided. My favorite aspect was the broken ceramic tiles thoughtfully distributed throughout the façade to form a mosaic in shades of vibrant orange and evolving into bluish green hues. This is known as trencadís in in Catalan. The dragon like curves and arches were quite fascinating to behold this is a must see sight for tourists of Barcelona.

Night exterior

Casa Batlló Roof

Photos and sources:
Casa Batlló
Barcelona Arounder
ricardochaves
wikipedia photos

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Iye Rosanna Barcelona