#18: Meeting of the Minds

Hola, bon dia!  Or, bona nit, as the Catalans would say this time of evening.

Today the class and I went to a Catholic school to contrast the education system in France with the one here in Spain.  It was ok.  The kids weren't interactive like they were at the Bressola school, and our speaker was long on words and short on remembering that we're not native speakers and can't keep up with historical terms and dates that fast.  We toured a couple classrooms, observed some students at recess, and asked a few questions.

The exciting part of my day was going to visit Catalonian Parliament (hence the entry title).  We had been told in advance that this was a possibility on the itinerary, so we all had to pack one "nice" outfit (slacks or a skirt/dress, blouse, sweater or button down, and appropriate shoes).  We also had to bring our passports in order to enter.  For some reason, the Catalonian Parliament house is next door to the Barcelona Zoo (politics, zookeepers--I can see it).  However, it's a beautiful park--loaded with Audis.  Apparently Audi makes the official car for all Catalonian lawmakers.  We waited outside for the session to be finished, and we actually caught a glimpse of the Catalonian president, recently elected last month! It was all very low-key--no paparazzi or anything, just a couple journalists for local papers and legislative aides walking to their cars or having a smoke.  (Note: Everyone smokes in Europe.  Even the dogs.  And  in Andorra, our hotel was smoking-friendly, so be forewarned.)

The guide announced that the president was coming, we all readied our cameras...  He walked up to a car waiting on the curb, got in, and took off.  He didn't even "act" like a celebrity, just a guy leaving work for the day.  I was still adequately impressed, of course.

Señor Presidente!  Oh, I don't think he heard me.

The Parliament house was ritzy.  I've been to Congress as a kid, but it didn't leave nearly as much as an impression on me as the Parliament house did (then again, I wasn't paying attention back then).  EVERYTHING is marble and polished wood.  All the chairs are plush red velvet.  The draperies and area rugs look like something out of magazines.  And since most of the legislators left, it was quiet and we could peep in without being asked to leave.

We met with the current house leader, whose party of "independentists" are the majority right now.  His party believes that Catalonia should become its own nation independent from Spain.  It was interesting to hear his take on things.  I asked him "What do you think would happen to Spain if Catalonia left?"  Basically, Barcelona is the most prosperous city in Spain, and this entire region is doing the best economically--most of their taxes bankroll the rest of Spain right now.  Literally, Spain's economy would tank, possibly to almost third world status, nearly overnight if Catalonia seceded.

"Well, first Spain would not like it at all," he joked.  Basically, the politician's views are that the relationship between Spain and Catalonia has always been terse and it would be better if Catalonia moved on, took care of itself and remained political and economic allies with Spain. He cited Portugal as an example (back in like the 11th century Portugal was part of Spain for all of 39 minutes or so).  He also showed that Canada and Australia, while separate and independent nations, still cite their queen as the Queen of England (despite having completely different political systems and answering to their respective presidents).  Catalonians really like the King of Spain because whenever he comes to visit, he tries to speak in Catalan, which is a huge compliment to the people (remember, there are a generation of Catalans who grew up speaking their language in private for fear of death--not even 40 years ago, so this is still in recent memory).  So maybe if Catalonia were its own nation yet still considered a subject of the Spanish crown, it would still be okay.

the front of the meeting room we were in to hear the party leader speak

look!  i'm signing a bill into law!  (the big green button meant we were visitors)

After the house leader's Q&A session with us, he gave us a short look around to the chamber where all of the legislative work actually takes place.  Again, plushy red seats and lots of wood and velvet.  We got to sit in various spots and he told us which important party leaders sit where, and what they do during a typical session.  He had to leave to attend another session, but we took pictures and relaxed in a small lobby (with leather armchairs!) until we left.

Wouldn't it be cool to have your office look like this?

 We weren't allowed up at the podium on top.

The party leader, explaining what goes on in chamber

I want to close this entry by saying I had some of the best gelato (white chocolate) of my life with lunch today, at a little cafe on the Rambla.  It was amazing, and I was actually sad to finish it.  Barcelona is number one city to eat gelato in all the world.  What a fabulous city!