La Mercé

(Post set to draft one week ago in Barcelona and never reverted back to. It doesn't feel right to finish it now, but I'll finish it with some happy snaps instead..) 

Barcelona just gets better day after day.

I have been so lucky in this city as to experience a major annual festival right in the capital of Catalonia, with my experience infinitely enhanced by the fact that I'm spending it with real Spaniards themselves, who love and appreciate their fantastic culture. La Mercé is basically a cultural festival that runs for the few days leading up to the feast day of the patron saint here. For Spaniards, that means party. And they sure know how. It opened with some spectacular fireworks at the beach, followed by concerts held in Plaza España that featured both mainstream music from the US, as well as exotic South American beats, and Catalonian music to top it all off. Hundreds and hundreds of young people gathered at these huge concerts which reminded me a lot of the Stereosonic atmosphere, with less alcohol. I love how in Europe there seems to be less alcohol consumed, but can still be fun. The first one we went to began at 10pm or so and continued well until 6am. The following day's concert began a little earlier in order for teens to be able to come too. On Tuesday was the actual feast day, and we