October 2018 – Page 3 – GW Blogs from Abroad

Coffee or Tea?

AdminOctober 8, 2018December 17, 2018

Tunisia is and has always been in the crossroads of many great civilizations. Each of these civilizations have helped to shape and form the unique cultures and society of Tunisia today. They simultaneously identify as part of North Africa, part of the Arab world, part of the Mediterranean Basin. Their land has been claimed by the Amazigh, the Romans, the French. Each have left lasting marks on the cultural landscape of the country. Just last week, my group went on an excursion to the south of the country. In just a few days, we saw a Roman amphitheater, rode camels in the Sahara, and stayed in troglodytes that were inhabited by the Amazigh for centuries.

In every country I’ve studied in, there’s been a clear preference for either coffee or tea. When I studied in France, there was a clear preference for coffee. Each street is lined with cafés and terraces where people enjoyed sipping on their coffee while watching the world go by. When I studied in China, the obvious favorite was tea. Instead of cafés, the streets were adorned with tea houses and tea shops where people would spend hundreds of yuan for a few good cups and a great experience. Unless I wanted to spend a significant amount of money, it was nearly impossible to find any coffee that wasn’t instant. In Tunisia, I’ve found that neither tea nor coffee is as blatantly favored. It is just as common to see people sipping mint tea as it is to see people enjoying a strong coffee in each café.

A country’s predilection for either tea or coffee may not be culturally significant. However, in each of these countries I’ve studied in, café culture is an integral part of the larger culture. Cafés are a place where all people gather together and discuss everything from grand concepts to simple chit chat. Everyone partakes, everyone speaks, ideas are exchanged over a hot drink. In Western societies, such as France, this drink tends to be coffee. In Eastern societies such as China, this drink tends to be tea. While the origins of this difference is probably about the agricultural feasibility of each crop, today, when each product is readily available at the market, it represents an interesting cultural divide. A schism where Tunisia finds itself in the middle. Like so much in the Tunisian culture and Tunisian history, its caught in the crossroads. It teaches Arabic and French. It eats croissants and harissa. It’s stuck between the coffee-lovers and the tea-lovers.

Making Connections

AdminOctober 8, 2018December 14, 2018

By Brielle Powers

The first time I volunteered as a tutor with TeachOut, it was my first time going to a South African township. I should mention that the night before my first tutoring session, I had also just spent the night in Camps Bay, one of the nicest (and wealthiest) beachside neighborhoods in Cape Town. A girl on my program was celebrating her birthday so we all decided to rent an Airbnb for the occasion. Since the exchange rate is about 14 South African Rand to 1 U.S. Dollar, it seemed like a steal for us to be able to stay in a beachside mansion for a night.

I mention this because it was the first time I was confronted with the gross inequality in South Africa. Despite having just spent the night in a beautiful extravagantly furnished home (did I mention it had a full pool?...amid the water crisis...AND heat?...a true rarity in cool Cape Town winters), the next morning I was on a minibus to Khayelitsha, one of the poorest neighborhoods in the city.

From what I had read before coming to Cape Town (and imagined from Trevor Noah’s accounts) I thought I had known what to expect entering a township. However, per usual, my expectations were off.

I pictured the townships as fenced-off, secluded communities away from the city. But as soon as I flew into Cape Town International and drove away from the airport, I realized this wasn’t true. In Cape Town, you can literally happen upon a township by taking a few wrong turns. There are fences (twenty year old remnants of apartheid) but they’re broken down, panels missing, giving the inquisitive passenger driving by a peek into a mini city.

There aren’t many of what an average American would call “homes” in the townships. They’re more like shacks, rectangular buildings held together by pieces of scrap metal and wood. Some with additional rooms added on, some stacked on top of others, some closed off with barbed wire fences. As we drive further in toward the school, we pass barber shops, food stands, braai (which is barbeque in Afrikaans) grills, and preschools. Goats and stray dogs mill around, digging through the trash on the side of the road.

Our tutoring sessions start early, around 9:00 am and despite it being Saturday, the streets in Khayelitsha are always busy with people milling around, kids running and chasing after each other, shop owners attending to their customers or rearranging their products. Once we get to the high school, we can usually see all the students in their uniforms hanging out before classes. My favorite thing about Khayelitsha is the strong sense of community you feel even just driving through it.

On the first day, I decided to tutor the English classes (as I haven’t taken a single math class since junior year of high school) and we split the students up into Grade 8 and Grade 9 sessions. Myself, along with another new tutor, took Grade 8 students first. When I walked into the classroom, I was first shocked by how many students were there. Though there were maybe only 10 or 15, it was crazy to me that high schoolers would willingly come to school on Saturday mornings just for extra math and English practice.

I remember once in high school when we had had too many snowdays and the superintendent was considering making us go to class on Saturdays to make up for the lost time. Everyone rebelled. Looking back, education is just another thing I’ve taken for granted my entire life, something I’ve seen as more of a chore or obligation rather than as an opportunity. Yet these students welcomed an extra chance to learn.

Our lesson plan for the day focused around sentence structure and identifying things like the subject, predicate, direct object, etc. Some of the kids seemed familiar with this already, so we took the opportunity to quiz them as a review. They were a little hesitant to participate at first, but I attributed that to typical high schoolers being “too cool” to be a teacher’s pet. However, it could also have been that they couldn’t really understand my accent when I asked a question.

One thing I’ve learned is that there is no one “South African accent.” In a country with over eleven official languages, a defined accent just doesn’t exist. However, most South Africans are taught British English and thus have very different pronunciations than Americans. To these students, who mainly speak isiXhosa at home and only learn English in school, my American accent was funny, something some of them only hear watching shows on TV. Although I enjoyed making them giggle and smirk, I instantly became aware of my foreignness, my whiteness, my alienation.

At this point, my biggest challenge as a tutor is making connections with the students. I think this stems primarily from language. It’s hard to feel like you are making a difference when you are not entirely sure the dozens of eyes looking up at you understand what you are saying. There are some tutors with TeachOut who live in Khayelitsha, who know isiXhosa, and who can show them that, yes, one day you too can go to one of the top universities in Africa. But for someone like me, who’s had a vastly different background, it’s difficult to find things in common.

In the next few tutoring sessions, I hope to work on this challenge a little bit more. By just putting in more effort to get to know the students better, to learn their names (and how to pronounce them correctly), and to learn where I can best help them academically I think I will have a much greater impact.

Finals Season

AdminOctober 8, 2018December 14, 2018

By Beatrice Mount

Instead of semesters, UCM classes are split up into six periods, all about seven weeks long. That means that right now, I’m in the midst of finals!

So far, this rapidly paced style has been a little bit difficult to get used to. I’ll admit that GW spoiled me a bit with its semester season— especially with no clearly defined midterm period. It’s much easier to pace out your work. At UCM, everything is quick, quick, quick!

Furthermore, since UCM is an honors college focused on Problem Based Learning, the onus is really on the students to learn material. Classes are discussion based, meaning that you can’t get away with not reading. For most of the exchange students, this has meant spending 7 hours or so a day in the library.

It’s not all bad though. Like any seasoned university student, I’ve adopted a finals grind system. I grab a coffee and give myself a set period of time to work, then take a 10 minute break and then do it again. I’ve found that it’s so much easier to type out a 3,000 word essay on Yemen or Eastern Europe with an oat milk latte. That plus the breaks prevents me from going crazy in the middle of the library!

Rangitoto Island

AdminOctober 1, 2018December 14, 2018

By Julia McNally

16 July, 2018

Yesterday marked my first true adventure in Auckland. Five friends and I woke up before the sunrise, stuffed our backpacks and walked to the port to hop on the 7:30 am ferry to Rangitoto Island. Rangitoto is a dormant volcanic island that rests 20 minutes off the coast of Auckland Central. “Rangitoto” translates to “Bloody Sky” and legend has it that the island used to be home to a couple who were children of the Fire Gods. The flame they built went out as they argued. Enraged, they cursed Mahuika, the Goddess of Fire who felt as though she had been cursed unfairly and conspired with Mataoho, the God of Earthquakes and Volcanic Eruptions to cause an eruption that destroyed the couple’s home and left them stranded on a mountain peak at sea, unable to return to the mainland. This peak in Rangitoto, and the fog that often rolls in above the island is said to be the tears of the couple.

As we approached Rangitoto the sun was beginning to rise and a light grey mist was enveloping the island. Bundled in layers of sweatshirt and rain jackets, we set out to reach the summit by way Summit Track and the lava caves. The trailhead approximated the road up to the summit to be an hour long trek, with a twenty minute detour to explore the lava caves. We began the long trek up, amazed by the lava rock that surrounded us and exposed itself beneath our feet. A light drizzle began to fall and the way up got steep but none of us minded -- we were in it for the long haul.

Almost to the top of mountain we took the detour -- who could pass up crawling through caves of lava rock?! Upon discovering the first cave we shed our backpacks, got down on our hands and knees and crawled into the narrow space of the cave, slowly climbing upwards. Built of the same lava rocks we’d seen on our way, the caves were slick with rainwater, letting the rocks glisten against the light of our flashlights. The second cave we came upon was more of a tunnel, allowing us to walk all the way through with hunched backs to the other end, where a path lead us back to the summit trail.

A continuous steep incline and a height difference of a over a foot among our pack had some of us gasping for breath as we made the final push to the summit. Accompanied by the boys singing traditional Maori songs, we made it to the top. The view was worth the sweat.

The sun was just beginning to peak out from behind the clouds when we reached the summit. It felt as though the sun knew we were there, and wanted us to see Rangitoto’s views in all their glory. After taking in as much of the view as we could and munching on a quick snack, we proceeded down the side of the peak via Summit Road, headed for a trail that would take us around the side of the island for another three hours. The sun still shining we were cheerful as could be, singing and laughing, trying to gently trip each other. A rainbow peaked out just above us as the road took us to McKenzie Bay, perhaps the most picturesque part of the hike.

Nestled along a side path, McKenzie Bay was framed on either side by lava rock formations and various kinds of foliage, with a lighthouse and Auckland Central in the distance. We once again stopped to enjoy the view and take a breath.

As I sipped water from my hydropack and listened to the waves softly break on the rocks, I turned to my friend Paige and said “I can’t remember the last time I was this happy.” Looking around at the group of people we had assembled, feeling the boots on my feet and breathing in clean, post-rain air, I truly couldn’t have been happier.

We continued along McKenzie Bay road, letting it lead us through the trees and along the coastline. The final stretch of the road lead us past the Historic Bachs -- small, one or two room houses that had been occupied by previous caretakers. Each had a small sign with a story of the houses’ origin and owners. Of all the eccentric colors and funky names, one that sat of a short uphill path caught my attention most. “Why Worry”, it was called. The name felt appropriate for the setting.

The end of the Bachs lead us straight back to the port by which we arrived. With a bit of time to kill we sat down to rest our legs and look out at the water. The bluer-than-blue water, smell and feel of fog, and company of my new friends made this challenging day more rewarding that I could have guessed. By far the best part was the time and care we took to see everything. We veered off on every detour, read every informational sign, explored when we found a new place. There was no rush, there was no agenda. Just friends and trails.

Visiting Amsterdam!

AdminOctober 1, 2018December 14, 2018

By Beatrice Mount

When I let my friends know that I was studying abroad in the Netherlands, their first response was, “Oh my god! Amsterdam will be so fun!” I didn’t know how to tell them that I was actually about a 3 hour bus ride south, closer to Brussels and Cologne than the Amsterdam canals. However, they were right! Amsterdam is extremely fun! While I’m no Amsterdam local, I’ve spent a few nights there, and I’ve gotten a pretty comprehensive list of to-go places if you’re a tourist on a budget.

Get pancakes @Happy Pig Pancake shop
Dutch Pancakes may not be your mom’s fluffy Bisquick pancakes, but don’t be fooled. What these flat flapjacks lack in baking powder they make up for in flavour. At Happy Pig, which is a short walk from the Centraal Station, you can get a fresh, customizable rolled pancake for around 10 euros. You can choose from a plethora of toppings, going sweet with Nutella, whipped cream, strawberries, almonds—or going savory with cheese, ham, and some cilantro-style sauce. Happy Pig also has vegan pancakes, which is great if you’re climate conscious, or if you’re lactose intolerant like me.
Get fries @Vlaam’s Fritehaus Vleminckx or Manneken Pis.
Who owns the title of best fritehaus in Amsterdam is a contentious subject. But my two favorite fry shops in Amsterdam are Vlaam’s, which has a cult following, and Manneken Pis, which is right near Centraal Station. The stereotypical Dutch fry is covered in Mayonnaise, but before you’re grossed out—just know that it’s nothing like American mayo. Dutch Mayo is much sweeter, and it is the PERFECT compliment to fries. I like to get mine with curry ketchup or pinderkaas (or curry-flavoured ketchup and peanut sauce) plus Mayonnaise. Whatever you decide on, be prepared. Fries here are a meal, not a snack. While there are small portions available, expect a medium cone full of fries to fill you up for a solid hour.
The Rijksmuseum
Much like DC, Amsterdam is a very tourist-focused city. While the stereotype is that the city is a haven for drugs, in reality, Amsterdam is an amazing cultural centre with some of the best museums in the world. One of these museums is the Rijksmusuem, which goes over Dutch art and culture from the medieval to modern era. These include everything from Rembrandt’s famous “Night Watch” to reconstructions of model ships! It’s easy to get lost in the large expanse of the museum, so plan on going early to fully take in the intricate art and history.
The Van Gogh Museum
Five minutes down from the Rijksmuseum is one of the coolest museums in Amsterdam, the Van Gogh Museum! The Van Gogh Museum has tons of classic Van Gogh portraits, and if you’re lucky enough to visit within the next year, you’ll also get to go through an interactive exhibit about Van Gogh’s early life. Van Gogh Dreams lets you explore what the famous artist saw and felt during his time in Paris; it is a full sensory experience, and even reconstructs Van Gogh’s famous room! Book your tickets early, though. The museum is incredibly popular, and unless you have a Museumkaart or Amsterdam City Card, it can be hard to get walk-up tickets.
Foodhallen
Amsterdam is one expensive city, no lie, but you can find some pretty delicious, cheap eats if you know where to look. Foodhallen is one place with many! Amsterdam has a few of these around the city, but so far Foodhallen is my favorite. They have everything from bao to smoothies to burritos. It’s a close walk from the RIjks and Van Gogh Museums, and dishes range from 2-10 euros.

Sunday Funday

AdminOctober 1, 2018December 14, 2018

By Zachary Brumback

After a few days of adapting to the new time zone, my newly acquired friends and I decided to begin exploring Australia. Before we could begin to travel long distances, we had to learn how to use Sydney’s public transportation system. As a student familiar with DC’s Metro, this was not a difficult task. Although the system resembled DC’s Metro, the fares are significantly cheaper and include bus, train, and ferry rides. If you are an exchange student in Australia, you are eligible to receive a concession Opal card that reduces the cost of travel in half. Also, the max anyone pays to travel on Sundays is $2 AUD. Therefore, it is economical to travel long distances and explore all that Australia has to offer every Sunday.

First on our Sunday travel list was the Blue Mountains National Park: home to scenic walking trails, waterfalls, exotic wildlife, and the “Three Sisters.” When Sunday arrived, the other exchange students and I made our way to the nearest train station. After arriving at our designated platform, we boarded the train towards the Blue Mountains and embarked on a two-hour scenic train ride. Once we arrived at Katoomba Station, we enjoyed a nice lunch at Subway and then strolled through the small town of Katoomba. Upon our arrival to the Blue Mountains, we were exposed to the breathtaking views of the blue-hazed valleys. Our trip consisted of hiking 16 kilometers (10 miles), taking hundreds of photos, and climbing approximately 20,000 steps. As the sun began to set, we quickly made our way back to Katoomba Station and embarked on our two-hour journey home. I could not believe that the trip there and back only cost $1.50 USD.

On the following Sunday, a few of the other exchange students and I took the bus to Coogee Beach. Since it is winter here, it is way too cold to wear a “Budgy Smuggler” (bathing suit) or swim in the ocean. As a result, my friends and I decided to walk to Bondi Beach via “Sydney’s Best Coastal Walk.” Along the walking path, are breathtaking views of Sydney’s beaches, bays, and cliffs. The walk takes approximately an hour and a half. Make sure to bring some friends, your camera, and sunscreen.

This past Sunday, my friends and I traveled to the Taronga Zoo. Our journey began as we caught a bus and headed to the end of the M30 transit line. While riding the bus, my friends asked if I had already purchased a ticket for the zoo. Prior to this moment, I was under the impression that our admission was free. I somehow managed to forget that unlike the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, most zoo’s charge for admittance. Once we arrived at our stop, we quickly made it to the zoo’s entrance and presented our tickets. As a student attending a local university, I was able to purchase a “Concession Ticket” and saved $10 AUD. At the zoo, I was able to see a multitude of species up close, while also being granted the opportunity to pet an anaconda and attend a choreographed bird show. In addition to the remarkable species, the Taronga Zoo offers a beautiful view of the Sydney Harbor. After a fun and eventful day, my friends and I took the “Sky Safari” (cable car) to reach the zoo’s exit and followed the signs to the ferry station. As you can see from the picture, the ferry ride provides a fantastic scenic view of the city.

23 Egerton Terrace

AdminOctober 1, 2018December 17, 2018

By Taylor Williams

I've officially been in London for three weeks! It's insane how much I've seen in such a short amount of time and yet I've barely scratched the surface. In many ways, I’ve spent most of my time in London doing nothing particularly remarkable. I still haven’t seen Big Ben, or Kensington Gardens, I have seen any of the many castles and I haven’t stepped foot in a single museum, and yet I’ve loved every second of being here. Last week, I made the conscious decision to get lost because I’ve told that the best way to explore a city, to just walk in no particular direction. Somehow I made my way to The Kensington and Chelsea area, fans of the amazingly trashy show “Made in Chelsea” will recognize the neighborhood. As I walked around it was like I stepped into the London of my dreams. It sounds cheesy to say, but it was one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen, It was like stepping into a picture book, perfectly serene and picturesque. Whitestone houses and manicured lawns, it was spectacular. Since that day I decided that getting lost is the only way I want to see London from now on. I spent the summer obsessively curating the perfect Pinterest board, and it seems almost seems comical now how I believed that I could plan every moment. Because if I had indeed stuck to such a rigid schedule I would’ve missed out on the little treasures and hidden gems London has to offer. xx

Cognitive Dissonance

AdminOctober 1, 2018December 14, 2018

By Megan Gardner

Culture is a difficult concept to define. Many scholars disagree on what exactly constitutes a culture. What falls under “culture”? What does not? Who gets to decide what is a culture? Where are borders drawn? Who draws those borders? In Yuval Noah Harari’s book “Sapiens: A Brief History of Mankind,” Harari crafts an alternative definition of culture based in anthropology and history. He states that each society has contradictory belief systems that cannot simultaneously exist, and it is the dissonance and relationship between these ideas that form culture. In his own words, he writes that “if tensions, conflicts and irresolvable dilemmas are the spice of every culture, human beings who belong to any particular culture must hold contradictory beliefs and be driven by incompatible values. It’s such an essential feature of any culture that it even has a name: cognitive dissonance ... Had people been unable to hold contradictory beliefs and values, it would probably have been impossible to establish and maintain any human culture.” Essentially, Harari argues that culture is created by the points of contention within it. In many Western democracies, this cognitive dissonance exists between the deeply held fundamental values of equality and individual freedom. Yuval frames these as conflicting values because “equality can only be ensured by curtailing the freedoms of those who are better off.” It’s at the crossroads where these two values interact and conflict that culture and politics occur.

If someone were to take a snapshot of Tunisia at this moment in time, particularly the political landscape, two opposing sides would immediately come into view: traditionalism v. modernism. Tunisia honors its past, but simultaneously tries to move itself into the future. Tunisia is at a critical moment in its history where it is trying to build a new government. Since the revolution, there’s been an internal debate about the role that the past should play in state-building efforts. Many believe that the answers to any political question lay in the past and we simply just have to look back to find them. They focus on the glorious days of Carthage and other great empires. They believe that in order to reclaim that glory, the government should be rebuilt in a way thats inspired by the value systems of previous eras where the country was strong. In contrast, there are many who believe that the revolution should have represented a permanent cut from the past. They believe that the country needs to have its eyes fixed on the future and work towards that vision rather than continuously look behind it. The interactions between these two groups and sets of values is shaping the modern state of Tunisia as well as its culture. The revolution was not just a political upheaval, but an opportunity for cultural change.

Exceeding my Expectations: Academic Culture in Switzerland

AdminOctober 1, 2018December 14, 2018

By Savita Potarazu

30 September 2018
Marrakech, Morocco

At the famous Matterhorn in Zermatt || 22 September 2018

There are five courses offered through the Global Health and Development Policy Program here in Geneva, Switzerland. They are Perspectives on Global Health (PGH) , Global Health and Development (DPH), Research Methods & Ethics (RME), French, and the Independent Study Project (ISP). With a total of 16 credits, I came into the program expecting the workload to keep me busy. While this overwhelmed me initially, given the new adjustments to lifestyle, culture, new social environment, and the homestay experience, I can safely say that I experienced my first month in Switzerland with an appreciable balance of academics and personal development.

Along with the advice, mentorship and guidance of the academic directors here, this balance was achieved with an active mindset to dedicate time to other activities while not getting too distracted. Our academic directors frequently remind us that the point of the academics here is to understand and internalize, not merely to learn. I have come to appreciate that the process of understanding requires immersion at a level I have not seen before. During the first few days of the program, our directors also underscored that the Swiss way is slow but somehow also efficient. While the Swiss transit systems are, on average, annoyingly punctual, tasks throughout the day and the general mentality about home life and education are taken seriously enough to allow for both self-enrichment and self-care.

World Health Organization || 24 September 2018

Prior to my arrival in Switzerland, I was very accustomed to my comprehensive, work-intensive, heavy focus on the sciences and humanities at GW. Here, our guest lecturers work at the United Nations, World Health Organization, International Office of Migration, International Committee of the Red Cross, and many, many more premier international organizations. We are provided with the opportunities to hear from them and visit their home institutions to directly engage with their work environment. It really is one of my favorite elements of this program, especially in the global health capital of the world. And while the abundance of expertise has been so inspiring and enriching, the energy drain and stress I usually associate with school is much, much less. This has provided me many opportunities to pursue individual research and make new connections with experts simply because I want to know more about the subject.

Executive Board Room, WHO || 24 September 2018

Right now, we are on our excursion to Morocco for 8 days exploring the country’s health systems and the role of global governance. In addition to hearing from experts at a much higher level, we students have the opportunity to live with host families here for 4 days and learn about rural lifestyles, health-seeking behaviors, and community development. We have only been here 2 days and I can already feel my wealth of knowledge growing!

Perhaps the biggest surprise to me during my time abroad is not that the courses of a complex global health system were going to be enriching, but that the level of immersion built into the framework of the program has far exceeded my expectations.

Rabat, Morocco || 29 September 2018

5 Must-Try Tapas in Spain

AdminOctober 1, 2018December 14, 2018

By Stefania Tutra

As I am nearing almost one full month of living in Barcelona, I have learned the importance that food plays in Spain’s culture. Food is central to a Spaniard’s identity, and is a way to live. The food that I find myself consuming almost every day here in Barcelona is “tapas.” Tapas are everywhere you go in Spain, and a big part of social gatherings; they describe more of a way of eating rather than a type of food. Tapas bars are the liveliest restaurants you will find in Barcelona – loud, filled with conversations and laughter, music, and open until the early hours of the morning. For those of you who are not familiar with “tapas”, they are an appetizer or small portion of any kind of Spanish cuisine. In other words, they are not meant to be a full meal. They can vary from cold dishes such as mixed olives or cheese, to hot such as ‘croquetas’ (I will explain what that is later). From my experiences so far, the best tapas are usually served standing in crowded, hot, smoky bars. These are often where you will find the cheapest tapas. My rule of thumb is that if you are paying more than 5 euros for a tapa, then you are not at an authentic tapas place and are paying the tourist price, so go somewhere else! Almost all the tapas I’ve had have been phenomenal, but some more than others – so, I decided to make a list of some of the best must-try tapas while in Spain.

Croquetas
Croquetas are definitely one of my favorite tapas dishes. A croquette is a small breadcrumbed fried food roll usually containing, ground meat, fish, ham, cheese, mashed potatoes, or vegetables. My personal favorites that I’ve tried here in Barcelona have been the ham and cheese, and the mashed potato croquetas. The closest equivalent to croquetas that I’ve had in the United States would be boardwalk crab cakes (but sshhhh- the Spaniards do it way better!).
Patatas Bravas
Tied with Croquetas, my other favorite tapa dish are patatas bravas. These are essentially the French fries of Spain. The tapa consists of white potatoes that have been cut into small irregular cubes and deep fried. My favorite part is the sauce that they are served with, which is typically a warm aioli (usually of a garlic flavor) or a spicy tomato sauce. I have yet to go to a tapas bar and NOT order patatas bravas as one of my tapas; just like French fries in the U.S., each restaurant prepares patatas bravas in a slightly different way than the other, and the same can be said for the topping sauce. My goal is that by the end of my semester abroad, I will have tried plentiful different patatas bravas to be able to confidently conclude which restaurant prepares them best.
Pan con Tomate (Pa amb tomàquet)
This tapa is exactly what the name translates to: “Bread with tomato.” Pan con tomate is considered a staple of Catalan cuisine and identity (Catalonia is the region in northern Spain which Barcelona is the capitol of). Pan con Tomate consists of white bread, which may or may not be toasted, with tomato rubbed over and oil and salt drizzled on top. While it sounds very simple, it is the perfect accompaniment to the rest of your tapas, or really any Spanish meal -- therefore definitely a must-try tapa.
Tortilla de Patatas (or Tortilla Española)
If you Google “Tortilla de Patatas” what comes up is essentially what is commonly known as an “omelette.” However, this Spanish tapa is nothing like the omelettes that are commonly served in the U.S. In tortilla de patatas, pre-fried potatoes are the main ingredients after eggs. Chopped onion is also sometimes added to the recipe.
By now you are probably sensing that Spaniards really enjoy their potatoes, and you are not wrong!
Chipirones
“Chipirones” are baby squid or very small cuttlefish. They are usually battered and deep fried, and served with lots of lemon. They are a tiny snack but you receive a plate heaped with them when you order this as your tapa. I am not typically a big seafood person, however living in Barcelona is slowly changing that as the seafood in Spain is incredibly fresh and full of flavor. 10/10 would recommend!