SPANISH EDIBLE WILD PLANTS AND HERBAL MEDICINE

Gaudi, Dali and Wild Foods

(Also see Camino de Santiago)

What is it?  Where is it?  This is the spiral stairwell that leads to the top of one of the spires (towers) of Gaudi's Familia Sagrada (Cathedral) in Barcelona, Spain.

Introduction: This floral photo tour takes you into the Spanish Pyrenees uncovering edible and medicinal plants.  Our journey starts in Barcelona, continues to the Spanish Pyrenees and Andorra...On to the Costa Brava and back to Barcelona.

Transportation is by rental car, lodging--whenever possible--was in farms, homes,  and hostals.  Average lodging cost about $40 per night for three people, slightly less expensive for two.

Gaudi's organic approach to architecture provides buildings without square corners.  It is as if a child dropped blobs of wet sand to make castles on the beach.

With his unique and extravagant approach to architecture and design Gaudi's name became synonymous with art and design excesses.  Decor and architecture that was considered "too much" (excessive) is to this day referred to as "Gaudi".   (More Gaudi)
First stop on the tour is Setcases in the southeastern Pyrenees.  The lower half of the church is obscured with elderberry.   In the foreground, is a rural garden, ubiquitous in Spain.

Elderberry is found wild and cultivated throughout Europe.

Follow the links such as elderberry to find out how the Spanish use this plant and compare and contrast that to how Americans use the same or similar species.

As we climb deeper into the Pyrenees I am pleasantly surprised to see ripe figs growing within easy picking distance.   Here is a high energy food that can be found fresh in roadside markets.

 

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