Happy Wednesday, everyone! I’m anxiously awaiting the finde (Thanksgiving abroad! Parties galore! No work!), and am glad that it’s inching ever-closer. For this week’s Where in Spain Wednesday, I’m going to introduce you to my favorite “pet” in Barcelona – the Gato de Botero. 

gato-botero-barcelona-cat-sculpture

This chubby bronze cat by Fernando Botero sits on the Rambla de Raval, and he’s such a charming sculpture that people can’t seem to keep their hands off him – literally. Almost every time I pass by the grinning Gato, the sculpture is covered in people climbing all over it (sometimes with the assistance of a few cerverza-amigo beers).

I’ll have more coming up about the cat in an episode of MyBarcelona soon, and that brings me to my next mini-ancedote – while I was attempting to film the sculpture, a toddler was absolutely transfixed by the cat’s golden whiskers and smiling face. I had to wait for quite a while to get my turn with the cat, and right when I did another group of tiny kids came up to pet it. The Gato is definitely popular!
   
And also, I have exciting news – a holiday travel discount for readers! You may know that I’m working with Go With Oh on a project, and we’ve teamed up to give you a discount for their European vacation apartments.*

If you book a flat with them between now and December 31, 2013, use the code “GOWITHYESSICA“ to get 20€ off! You can book your stay for now up until January 31, 2014. Happy travels, and happy holidays! 🙂
   
Besos!

-Jess
   
*Just FYI, I do not work with companies whose products I wouldn’t use myself.