Catalonians - a breed of their own

Life is Beautiful: Coming Full Circle Back to Catalunya During my university days, I spent time in Rotterdam dancing flamenco. My teacher at SKVR was a short, lanky woman with a fiery spirit and stockings full of holes. She taught me more than just dance steps; she taught me to “never mind the holes,” emphasizing self-respect and focussing on why she was there. I was fairly good at flamenco, but my enthusiasm waned when a more skilled dancer joined our class in the second year. Gradually, other aspects of life took precedence, and my interest in flamenco faded. Now, here I am in Catalunya, surprised and delighted to be back. The flamenco, sevillanas, and Spanish guitar are deeply embedded in the culture here. If I can clear my mind long enough of worries, being in this environment brings back memories and reignites my love for Spanish music. Just like a single 1 Lira coin once brought me back to Turkey, my appreciation for Spanish culture has created a strong, consistent bon...