I am kind of confused by the order of my entries...I realize I have just posted about an event that was 3 weeks ago but I want to try to keep up with current things as well so this one is dedicated to the events in Barcelona leading up to the first day of class Monday June 6th!!
I have been in Europe for 3 weeks but I am just now starting the thing that got me here: school! We have been in Barcelona since last Tuesday. Before that, ISA (my study abroad program-International Studies Abroad) met in Madrid (May 28th). We spent the weekend in Madrid meeting each other, walking miles during walking tours, visiting a museum, and watching FCBarcelona win (FC Barcelona beat Manchester United, 3-1, in the UEFA Champions League at Wembley Stadium on Saturday)! During this weekend I also got to meet my roommates Carly Rae (from Dallas but goes to school in Arkansas), Natalie (from Jersey but goes to school in West Chester, PA) and Amanda (from Philly but goes to Pitt). I plan on dedicating a post about them soon...
After Madrid, we got on a bus and drove about 2 hours south to Toledo on Monday May 30th. Toledo was once the capital of Spain before Madrid. It was a beautiful town that had such great architectural detail and history. It is a pretty small and quiet town so there were some kids in the program who weren't thrilled. I was totally content. I was tired from Madrid and also from my previous adventures with Hannah and Datev in San Sebastian and Paris (I also plan on dedicating multiple posts to both of these trips). We did a day of walking tours and museums. It was a neat experience because Toledo is not usually a place you hear about when talking about going to Spain. I'm glad I went because who knows when I would go in the future!
The following morning (Tuesday May 31st) we said "adios" to Toledo and "hola" to...a bus! We were on a bus for close to nine hours so that we could get to Barcelona, our final destination! By the this point I was just ready to be in one city for more than a few nights where I could call it "mi casa". I sat with Carly Rae on the bus and we became friends fast...we had no choice since we were going to be living together for the next 6 weeks! It was bound to happen at some point though. When the bus finally made it to Barcelona it was raining outside...great moving in weather! We didn't care though because we were moving into an AMAZING apartment! The ISA director showed her surprise on her face...she was impressed! Our apartment is 2B which means it is on the third floor (in Spain they do the floors a little bit different and it is somewhat misleading). It has 3 bedrooms (Carly Rae and Natalie are currently sharing) and 2 full baths. We have a little patio where you will find our WASHER, no dryer. It is very rare for families to have dryers in Spain. Clothes are always hanging out to dry everywhere you look. We have a cute little kitchen and a nice living room and dining area. I would totally live here for all of college if I could!
After we got settled in we decided it was only appropriate to see what our new city had to offer...so we went out! We went to La Rambla which is a large street that only cabs can go down. During the day there are booths set up and lots of people walking and lots of shops and cafes. At night it is more of a club/bar scene. We went to a club with 4 other girls who live in our building and Carly Rae's boyfriend Max (who is also in the program). We had a great first night of learning each other's best dance moves!
Wednesday June 1st was full of orientation meetings and getting to know our city! We did breakfast (of course this included cafe' con leche...coffee with milk and by that I mean more milk with a little coffe...one of my new favorites) and then headed to meetings to learn about Barcelona and our school, UAB (Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona). After, Carly and I walked to a fruteria that was near our apartment...there is probably one on each block. We each bought lots of fresh fruit for less than 4 euros. I absolutely love those places!
Thursday...we had more meetings! This one was at 9am but it was our last! We went to the campus where are classes will be taught. The meeting was kind of depressing...I felt like the Spain professors were not looking forward to teaching us because of all the things they had to say about us. I'm guessing some rowdy American students have set a bad representation of us. Not even that so much as our cultures are completely different. For example, it is considered extremely rude to quietly leave class to use the restroom. The dress code is also very strict. But there are many differences which makes this experience so interesting! After the meeting we walked around La Rambla. I, of course, got gelato. I can't say no! Everything in moderation is what I keep telling myself...plus gelato in the States is not near as exciting as getting in Europe so I won't have to worry! That night we went to a club on the beach called Opium. It was mostly students from our program and other Americans that were there...my goal is to find places that the locals go to!
The next day everyone was pretty tired from the combinations of a late night and already being tired so we took it pretty easy. We slept into about 2...but that is completely acceptable considering most of us did not get in bed till 6 (I was the exception that night making it home a little earlier). I had gotten up early, showered, ate and then fallen back asleep. Finally, Carly and I went to Max's apartment on the other side of the city via the Metro. She and I have mastered the colors and stops by now. Max wanted us to try "Kebabs" which are not pieces of meats and veggies on a stick like in the States. It is meat shaved off this big pole that is constantly turning in order to keep it warm. Then, the meat (in my case falafel) is stuffed in a pita or tortilla with veggies and sauces. It is pretty tasty but not tasty to eat everyday like some of the boys believe. After that we headed to the beach for the FIRST time. Unbelievable right? We got off the Metro at the stop by the Harbor. We walked all along that and then made it to the beach where we sat for awhile. This was our first exposure to the women on the beach asking if we want a massage. They HARASS you till you either leave or give in. I have yet to give in but who knows...they may get me at the end of the summer! However, on this day the lady drove us away so we found a pretty cool rope pyramid that to play on instead. The beach is really neat because there are so many people being active out there...whether this is playing soccer on the beach, rollerblading/biking/running on the boardwalk, paddle boarding in the Mediterranean, or working out on the workout stations. It makes me want to run on the boardwalk so bad, but I'm worried about taking my keys. Stupid excuse. I will start soon though! For dinner that night we found a Mexican restaurant. I love Mexican food and since it is very rare here I decided I would go for it! We had a good time at La Rosa Negra, but I did notice other Americans in the restaurant. Maybe they are also craving some Mexican.
Saturday was my first real beach day! We actually laid out in the sun for a bit and I even got in the water. The water is really cold but nice! Max unfortunately didn't have as relaxing of a time. While he, Hunter and JT swam to some rocks on a sandbar he stepped on a sea urchin. The lifeguards said there wasn't much you could do so he has to just let it heal on its own. It looks super painful!
Sunday was a little overcast so it wasn't the best day for the beach. Instead, Carly, Max, JT and I went to MontJuic. It is park that overlooks all of Barcelona. If I'm not mistaken it was made for the Olympics when Barcelona held them in 1992. Castell de Montjuïc is also found up here! The view from the top is amazing to say the least. I will definitely be going back! Sunday night was a school night so Carly and I ate dinner at home and relaxed. Carly made a rice stir-fry that was a very tasty, but cheap meal. We plan on doing more of those! Later, Amanda, Natalie, Carly and I played a few games to help us get to know each other a little more. Just some good ol' roommate bonding!
MONDAY! The first day of classes! It was a success! I have class at 9:30-11:30 and then again 15:00-17:00 Monday through Thursday. The first class is called Spanish Civilization and Culture. It is super interesting and perfect for someone who knows close to nothing about the country they are living in. I look forward to learning more about Spain and Barcelona in this class...not so much the time of the class. The time wouldn't be so bad if my last class was immediately after my first. But nope, I have close to a four hour break in between. It is enough time to take the Metro to the beach if I want or going shopping on Passeig de Gràcia or even come home for lunch and siesta! On the first day, Carly, Max and I walked around the shops and ate lunch. It was very relaxing and pretty out so it wasn't too bad. I think we will learn to manage our time so that we can do what we need to in that free time. Then there was spanish class...wow. It was ALL in spanish. No english, not even to the 7 other girls in my class. The teacher is very nice but it is kind of overwhelming if you haven't taken spanish since your senior year of highschool. I managed to do okay, messing up on some past tense and lack of vocabulary here and there. I think it will come back to me faster than I think. I also think being forced to speak in ONLY spanish for two hours everyday will definitely improve my speaking skills. I am excited and scared...more excited though to try to master the language!
After class, we took advantage of the sun that will still blaring at 17:00 (5pm) and went to the beach for a couple of hours. The sun doesn't set here till around 9:30pm and it is great!! On the way home from the beach I stopped to get milk which was thankfully kept in the cold section of the store. Sometimes, actually most of the time, milk and eggs are stored at room temperature. This does not go well with me especially since I love milk as much as I do. I have been eating cereal and milk just as I did in the States in order safe money and not get homesick. For dinner, Max, Carly and I got Tapas in his neighborhood. We ordered more than we thought which forced us to spend more, but it was totally worth it!
So, the first week of living in Barcelona has gone extremely well and I only see it getting better! Carly and I are trying to plan a weekend trip to either Rome or Cinque Terre. If that doesn't work out then I may just head to Nice, France to meet up with Hannah and Datev...we shall see where the wind blows me! Adios for now...I have to get ready for spanish class!
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