talifa's Academia

воскресенье, 15 декабря 2019 г.

The Boqueria Market in Barcelona

Boqueria. This is a word that every local living in Barcelona will recognise. If you stop someone on the street and ask them where the Boqueria is, they will, without a doubt, point in its general direction and tell you it’s worth a visit.

Last weekend I went to Barcelona to see the places I hadn’t been before and the Boqueria was one of them. ‘La Boqueria’, as it is called here, is an open food market in the heart of Barcelona that has a wide range of food stalls ranging from fruit and vegetable stalls, butchers, bakeries and fresh fish stands. It has been around since the 1200s and has, for several decades, provided Barcelonans with a place to shop for a wide range of products.

For those who haven’t been to Barcelona, it is important to know that it is the largest city in Catalonia, the autonomous region of North East Spain. Currently there are several million tourists that visit this city each year. Being a tourist myself, I booked myself into a hostel and headed up Las Ramblas - the main strip that runs through the centre of the city. It is off Las Ramblas that I stumbled into the Boqueria, which drew me in with its vivid colours, and irresistible smells.

What I discovered was that the Boqueria is much more than a market. People do not only go to the Boqueria for buying fresh food products but also to meet their friends in one of the many Tapas bars that are scattered around the area. Tapas are traditional Spanish appetisers that are found in most bars and are often served alongside a ‘Canya’ (a small beer) or a glass of ‘Vino Tinto’ (red wine). The Boqueria is a place to bring people together and share the experience of a small town market in a large city such as Barcelona.

When the weather is sunny there is generally a huge crowd of people walking around, drinking and eating and pushing past one another to buy the freshest and cheapest food. The chattering of friends and yelling of market sellers truly adds to the vibrant atmosphere of the market. If you ever decide to travel to Barcelona, do not give the Boqueria a miss; and whilst you are there don’t forget to try the fresh fruit juice for 1.50 Euros (Bargain!)

Discussion:

Where's the best place to buy food in your town? What exciting food or traditional dishes do you recommend for visitors to where you live?

воскресенье, 8 декабря 2019 г.

Mad for the sales

by :

GraceBlogger

Almost instantly after Christmas is over, the hype for sales begins. Ready, set, go?

Discounts have become more popular over the years worldwide, with each country adding their own touch to the special seasonal sales. In England, they literally get going after the opening and giving of presents the day before – the Boxing Day sale. The day after Christmas consists of pretty much all major high street shops putting on extraordinary discounts from 50% to 70% on everything, with massive queues of members of the public ready to spend, spend, spend! After that, the January sales continue into late January, to get rid of all the winter stock.

Shopping online is also a great option to grab a bargain, as online retailers as well as many department stores offer clearance prices on Christmas items. There are plenty of deals online that include pretty much everything discounted until the end of January.

Yet in Spain, the sales go on until the end of March, so there is plenty of time to get yourself a New Year's treat. Clothing being the most wanted item ever, every shop has clothes sprawled all over the place with people searching through the piles as if it were gold. With prices lowered every week, New Year's sales really do keep the people shopping!