Proofreading: "Excuse the coffee, please!"

It IS Sunday, but considering that fact that I took almost all Wednesday off this week (All saints/holiday in Spain), and made time for a really long walk today, I actually don´t mind doing some work this afternoon. Some days ago I received the proof/comments from the editor of a text which will be included in an anthology produced/compiled by my department. It is called “Allvarligt talat”/”Seriously (speaking)”, and my contribution is focusing on Agda Montelius, who was married to the archaeologist Oscar Montelius, and her travels and work together with him during the 1870´s and 1880´s. To treat myself –even if I really enjoy today´s task- I decided to move my office to a proper environment, i.e. a bar/café from the late 19^th century… I mean, why not work in an (almost) authentic environment if one has the chance? I moved from one to another, since the first one got a bit too noisy after a while… It´s fantastic that there are still quite a few of these old and more or less authentic interiors left in Barcelona.

Bar Muy Buenas

Bar Casa Almirall

As some of you already know, I am writing my thesis about international archaeological networks etc in the late 19^th century, focusing on Oscar Montelius (and Agda), and the source material includes loads of documents from the Montelius´ archives. During my last visit to the archive (in Stockholm) I came across a document that was not of interest to my current study, but still caught my interest. It was a proof, commented by Oscar to be sent to the translator of one of his publications. There are certain moments when you feel extra close to your study object, and this was one of these times. Just like I am this afternoon, Oscar was proofreading and all of a sudden he spilt his coffee on the script. No computers, no printers, so he had to keep the script as it was… Coffee stains and all...

"EXCUSE THE COFFEE PLEASE!"
Ref: Oscar Montelius arkiv, Antikvarisk-topografiska arkivet, Sthlm

 

Vintage in Barcelona: Clothes by the kilo

Like in some other European cities, you can by your secondhand garments by the kilo in Barcelona. The concept has been introduced in Spain by Flamingo Vintage Kilo. There are several stores in the city center and one can also find a Flamingo vintage barber shop.

Vintage in Barcelona: Sweet Susiedress Pop-up Market

On Sunday I went to a very nice vintage market in Gràcia. SusiSweetdress organizes seasonel PopUp-markets in Barcelona and other cities in Spain during the year. The team presents an "innovative concept of selling vintage dresses, own designs and accessories" and that´s what they do. They fix, renovate and upgrade garments as well as create new retro-inspired designs.  Clothes and inspiration are searched for during trips to other countries. The market was well worth visiting, alot to choose from in a wide range of sizes. There were also childrens activities, free drinks and snacks and other happenings at the market. Next ones in Barcelona will be in June and October, check their website for dates and more info on markets in other cities in Spain.  (Scroll down for more pictures)

 

My PhD: A research visit to Barcelona

I am currently a member of the Swedish National graduate school of historical studies. The research school provides a lot of great possibilities for international exchange and I have been lucky enough to receive a travel grant, which allows me to spend a few weeks abroad at a university of my own choice. One of the places I really wanted to go to was the University of Barcelona, where a certain professor who is working on the history of archaeology is affiliated. She has great experience of digging into archive material, and is/was the supervisor of several PhD candidates working on heritage issues and related areas. I was therefore of course very grateful when I got accepted as a guest researcher.  At this point I am almost halfway through my studies and this is a very good time to discuss and review research questions, methodology and different problems. 

So, what does it mean to be a guest PhD student/researcher? It is very much up to you and your so-called sponsor, in this case the above-mentioned kind professor.  I will take the opportunity to discuss as much as possible with her about certain aspects on theory and methodology, but also about my thesis topic in general and about her work. I am also planning to get a decent number of pages written. Being away from the normal curriculum as well as meetings and seminars at my home department will be a perfect opportunity to do some really contcentrated work., I hope... I will also ge to meet other PhD students and have the possibility to attend open lectures. I feel very welcome here, and I have daily contact with both the professor and another PhD candidate who has been helping me to settle in and feel at home. In addition I will take the chance to enjoy museums, archaeological sites and exhibitions, as well getting to know the fantastic city of Barcelona a bit better!

The university

Vintage och 2nd-hand i Barcelona

I Barcelona finns det sannerligen gott om vintage- och secondhand-butiker! 

Längs Caller del Tallers och till denna angränsande gator ligger -förutom fina bagerier- ett stort antal butiker med secondhand-plagg i fint skick. Flera av affärerna har ganska höga priser, som inte är helt motiverade om ni frågar mig, men ett par av dem har en riktigt överkomlig prisbild. Bland dem kan nämnas V V på nr 23. 
Det var turligt nog den första butiken jag råkade gå in i härom kvällen, och också den enda där jag köpte något. Kan helt klart rekommenderas!