Highlights 

 

Despite coming to Spain 7 years in a row, I’ve only been to 7 of the 17 autonomous communities because I return to and stay in Catalonia so often. 

 

I’m only fluent in English but have taught myself how to read menus in the languages of the countries I travel to most. So I can be lost but never hungry, a great motto to live by! I learned Catalan first which is the local dialect for Catalonia which includes Barcelona and Costa Brava.

 

The famed El Bulli by Ferran Adria was in the region. They won the number one restaurant title a record five times. Their innovation attracted chefs from all over the world and Spain to come and train and these protégées went back to cook in their home towns or neighboring countries. I never got to eat there but I can certainly appreciate its influence.

 

Catalans are very proud of their culture and there are many protests for independence. The conflict reminds me of the pro Taiwanese independence sentiments I grew up hearing about and being influenced by. So I feel some shared camaraderie with the Catalan culture.

 

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