Ohhhh this week.

This week has been so ridiculous. Not in the good way. I distract myself by sleeping every chance I can get, as well as wandering around Barcelona.
My UPF classes started this week (the 26th, woof.). I have two... one each day mon-thurs. It is a 45 minute commute to the campus, which is incredibly inconvenient by foot or by metro. Its right by the beach though. Ohh noo worst thing ever.  I plan on spending time before/after class rolling around in the sand on the beach. I hope my professors don't mind if I'm in a bathing suit.

I've been trying to be really frugal with my bank accounts... but this week called for some money-spending. Retail therapy right? I retail therapied the hell out of this city. I bought another pair of Aladin pants, don't hate me Emily. You're going to see them and want a pair. These ones are red. I love them. I also found this really sweet retro shirt with Thom Yorke from Radiohead on it. Score. If you're cringing Emily, just accept that your sister is a big ol' bum, in Vermont and Spain alike.

Oh, also. We went to Karaoke the other night at a bar near Jane's apartment. I sang Benny and the Jets as a duo with Jane... and I had all intentions of singing "All My Lovin" by the Beatles but the people that worked at the bar would skip over us so they could sing themselves. We retaliated by stealing their candy. It was not for customers and definitely belonged to the bartender. Her fault. I didn't get to sing my song because of her. Katherine got to BELT "Say My Name" by Destiny's Child. That girl has a beautiful voice, she acts all modest but she could be the next Beyonce.

This weekend we're going to Mallorca to visit Katherine's friend Carloz Pratz Mendez. As said before, what a name. He's so excited to meet her friends and see her, show us around and take us out to dinner. It sounds like exactly what I need in life. Oh plus he lives on the most beautiful island in Spain. No big deal. His back yard is sky blue ocean. Whatever.

I don't really have much more. Enjoi some photos from the past weekend:

                                      (Merce firework shows. I stole this picture.)

                                     (Crazy Forum concert)

                                 (Last day of La Merce)


I promise to add pictures of karaoke as soon as possible.

Bye America. Talk to you after Mallorca!

La Merce

This weekend was La Merce, a famous festival in Barcelona. Its to honor the Saint Merce, I believe. Don't quote me on that. What's the best part about the festival is it isnt a big tourist attraction because it is meant to celebrate Barcelona as a city, so really just the locals all come together and rage. There are concerts and traditional festivities all weekend, like the Castelles, which are huge towers of people. They literally stack themselves up on top of each other until they are as tall as a building. It's crazy. Apparently this year it was very important because the Castelles were all in a competition. Again, don't quote me on this. Fire is also a big part of the weekend, from fireworks to just big shows of "devils" and "beasts" (aka people dressed up) running through the streets with fireworks in their hands. To be honest its probably really dangerous, but that's what I love about Europeans... they do not give a single fuck (sorry, language). I wish I had more pictures of all the craziness, but my camera is no good, and to be honest, we could never get to anything on time to see it. Either because we're late, or we just couldn't find the specific area of the city.

Friday night we got to the Plaza a little too late and missed the big events... but its was ok, because Saturday made up for it. We spent the day seeing some sights, including La Sagrada Familia, architect Gaudi's famous castle-like cathedral. We thought it was free entry (because most museums offer free entry during La Merce), but of course it wasn't. So being the cheap Americans we are, we took pictures from outside and went on our way. That night we took the longest metro ride ever out to Forum. "We" being myself, Katherine, and our new friend Drew (Drewseph #2). They had a huge music festival in Placa de Forum, all with apparently very popular Spanish bands. I obviously had never heard of them. We got there a bit early, so Katherine, Drew, and I bought a few beers from the illegally-selling gents across the street, shoved them in our pants (classy) and went through security to get a good seat. Europeans underestimate just how determined Americans are to sneak booze into concerts. The first band we saw was on a smaller stage, which was the only stage we could find at first. The band was sortof like a mix between Kings of Leon and Radiohead. They played a song I could've sworn was a cover of House of Cards by Radiohead. I had been having a really bad night up until then, but being in a crowd of happy singing Spaniards will turn a girls night right around.

When the first band finished playing, we met up with some more friends and headed over the hill to the main stage. It was unreal. Imagine the biggest outdoor concert you've ever been to... then triple it. You come over the crest of a hill into a sea of people the size of Rhode Island. We all linked arms and I led our group into the middle of the crowd (thanks highschool concert obsession, I can navigate a crowd like no ones business) where we stayed and danced and played for hours. The band must have been famous, because everyone was singing along besides us. We then found a techno stage with a lightshow and turned the dancefloor into our own. At one point we got Spaniards to form a circle around Jane break dancing. God love her.

The next day we saw some more sights (including the Castelles) and went home to sleep off the weekends afterglow. No one had slept more than a few hours each night.


I'll add more pictures once I can steal some from friends. I don't use my camera... to be honest its just not good quality. I hope you all are enjoying this blog... I'm trying my hardest to have a good time here, but I still can't act like my entire world didn't just flip upside down. I am so out of my comfort zone, I'm away from family and friends that love me and can console me... and it just really is not fair that when something goes wrong I am all by myself. I have great friends here, don't get me wrong... but sometimes its not enough when you've only known someone three weeks. I miss you, home. I need you.

"You know the great thing, though, is that change can be so constant you don't even feel the difference until there is one. It can be so slow that you don't even notice that your life is better or worse, until it is. Or it can just blow you away, make you something different in an instant." (Life as a House)


"We are all alone, born alone, die alone, and – in spite of True Romance magazine – we shall all someday look back on our lives and see that, in spite of our company, we were alone the whole way. I do not say lonely – at least, not all the time – but essentially, and finally, alone. This is what makes your self-respect so important, and I don’t see how you can respect yourself if you must look in the hearts and minds of others for your happiness." (Hunter S. Thompson)


It's all I have for today.

Special Day

I do nothing with my life. I had class and spent the afternoon napping. "Siesta"-ing. Being sick is my excuse to be lazy. I then went to La Rambla, bought a really sweet hat for 11 euros, and Katherine and I got flowers (sunflowers! my favorite!) for Feli as a late birthday present. She loved them, duh.

 The real reason for this blog is to shout out to the best parents I could have ever asked for. Happy Anniversary you two! I love you both and miss you like crazy! 

I included a picture with Emily and I in it as well, because I personally believe we are two of the best products of this marriage :) Love you too Emily!

Plague

Managed to get myself sick. Probably a product of never getting enough sleep, spending an entire weekend on a big bus with 100 other 20-25 year olds who don't get enough sleep, and being friends with a bunch of people who were previously sick. It was inevitable. Feli seemed pretty mad about it when I was sneezing and sniffling at dinner. She told Katherine to sleep with her head facing away from me so she didn't get sick (even though Katherine is sick too) and was complaining that it was only a matter of time before she and Alejandro starting sniffling too. I told her to wash her hands.

I've been slamming down the echinacea, so no worries Mom and Dad. Also, Katherine and I took nice long naps today and then went and bought 43 cent (euro) jugs of orange juice. I'm about half way done with mine. Its so pulpy I feel like I'm drinking a solid orange. I already feel better. Alejandro asked how we were feeling, to which we responded by thrusting our juice bottles in the air and saying "Naranja!". Our Spanish is limited. He understands.

Feli though, that little precious woman, is celebrating her birthday today! Her sons are taking her out to dinner tonight, and when we asked where she was going she said she did not know and it was a surprise. Because it was her birthday. SHE NEVER TOLD US! Probably because she didn't want us to get her anything, but we're still going to buy her some chocolates or something little tomorrow. So modest, that Feli.

In other news, I'm pretty pumped for this weekend, its a huge festival all over Barcelona with lots of free music concerts, shows, fireworks, etc, etc. So pumped! And next weekend we go to Mallorca to visit Carlos Pratz Mendez (what a great name), and the weekend after that is Sensation White

Click this to see what Sensation is going to be : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmsW5jU8j48&feature=related


AND THEN the weekend after that the Gabree's come to visit!!! Such a good month lined up!

Still wishing I was back here though...

                    (I couldn't help myself. Costa Brava was just too beautiful)


Thinking of you always America <3

"Study Journey"

Well. just got home (Barcelona homestay home) from the most beautiful weekend. IES throws down a mandatory study journey for all of its students each semester, and we were lucky enough to be able to visit Costa Brava, Cadaques, La Jonquera, Girona, and Collioure. Friday morning bright and early we departed for La Jonquera to see the Spanish Exile museum. It depicted the lives of those who were exiled during the Spanish Inquisition. Not only was it just as depressing as a holocaust museum, but it was also unreasonably hard to understand what anything said. The writing on the exhibits were in Catalan (which is a mix of Spanish and French basically), and they were not prepared for the amount of people with us, so I didnt get a headset to hear the information in English. Oh well.

                                                         Past and present living exiles.

From there we crossed the border into the south of France (Collioure), where we visited the grave of the Spanish poet Antonio Macheto in a small coastal town. He fled during the inquisition and refused to be buried in the Spanish ground. After an awkwardly silent tour of the graveyard, we got some free time to find lunch and play on the beach. It was so beautiful. I must say though, I give a lot of credit to the kids that came to Barcelona knowing not one word of Spanish. I don't know a single French word, and trying to order a sandwich at the cafe was the most stressful situation I experienced all day. I blindly managed to order a chicken sandwich... but I could not imagine trying to do that all semester. Props, children. You're brave.

When our free time was through, we boarded our big touristy buses and went to our hotel in Girona, Spain. I was assigned a random roommate (adorable girl named Plamena) who I watched too much of a Spanish game show with before dinner. No wonder Spaniards have such enriching lives... their TV shows are horrible. This is probably a good thing. We got a free buffet dinner (score) and spent the evening out on the town of Girona. Very cute city... not a lot to do. The one Placa Independencia was the only place in the whole city that wasn't a ghost town past 11pm. Yikes.

The next day we had an enormous breakfast at the hotel and embarked on a guided walking tour of Girona's history. We saw cathedrals, old city streets that were basically stairs between the buildings, a man playing a "magical drum-like instrument" in the words of Casey, and another shopping area also named La Rambla. Real original, Spain. The best part? Our tour guide looked like Oscar Bluth (reference: Arrested 
Development).

                                                  VVVV Oscar Bluth VVVV

We spent the rest of the day doing a walk down to the beach down a very Cliff Walk-esque (Newport, RI) trail in Costa Brava. By the time we got to the beach the only thing I could do with myself was throw my body into the ice-blue waves and love my life a whole lot. It was the most beautiful beach I've ever been to. We lazed in the sun and swam over to some rocks, but mostly I just got to meet some new IES friends. Thank you IES, by the way, for putting me on a bus with only one person I knew. I was pissed at first but I got to meet some awesome people this weekend. We then mosied on back to our hotel, showered, and ventured into the city to see a Jazz Fest! So funny to see a Spanish sax player jumping around in the street. I also bought a pair of Aladin shaped pants for 18 euros... they may never come off me. I've never owned more comfortable pants. We then had dinner (during which I ate my weight in yummy Spanish food and then complained to my friend Sam about being so full for an hour), and went out on the town. All I can say about the evening... absinthe. I had fun, but some people did not, seeing as multiple kids puked on the bus ride the next morning. I slept through all of it, thank god I have the ability to sleep upside down if I had to.

Today we saw the Salvador Dali museum. Might have been my favorite part of the trip. The place is a (excuse my language) fucking circus. Dali was a mastermind to say the least. His art and his exhibits are all a mentally interactive and have the strangest meanings. The famous melting clocks are just the tip of the iceberg. For instance, one picture looked like a Venus figure, but if you turned your head her torso became the bottom of a mans face. There were toilets and fake bread liking the walls, a full size car in which it rained if you gave it 1 euro, a statue of a foot wrapped in gold foil (like candy)... it was ripped open (the way one would rip open a candy bar) and the foot looked half eaten. There was also a photo of a woman looking out of a window, but if you backed up 18 meters it was a pixilated image of Abe Lincoln. One room had a ceiling painted to look like a glass floor so you could see the bottom of two figures' feet and the perspective of an entire room from below... one room had an entire apartment (furniture, etc) on the ceiling as if you could flip the room upside down and live comfortably. It was nuts to say the least. I hated how tired I was the entire time though, I kept yawning (which is incredibly rude here, and everywhere) and probably looked like I wasn't having any fun. Yet it was my favorite part of the trip. Sorry, tour guide. 

                                                    (On the Ceiling)

                                                             (Abe)




Woof this was a long one. Hope you all enjoi. Missin' you America (esp you Matt).

I do nothing.

I keep forgetting I'm STUDYING abroad.. so I have class and homework and no energy to do adventurous things. This weekend we have a mandatory trip to Costa Brava with IES, so that should be fun. For now, here are some pictures that I stole from Katherine. I don't have a camera here (good job Grace) but I'm with that broad 24/7 so any pictures she takes I will claim as my own. Yesterday we attempted to be tourists and visit some of the "sights" close to the Rambla. There was a cathedral and a music hall... neither of which we could find among the tiny winding streets of the Old City, so we just got lost in Las Ramblas. Aka Tourist Central. Its the old part of the city, where all the roads are skinny and buildings are built on top of each other. It is also the best place to buy cheap Barcelona-themed crap like magnets and knock-off FC Barcelona jerseys, to over-pay for a meal, and to possibly get pick pocketed. Its great. We stumbled upon a famous market (as shown in the pictures), so I guess that was fun. After an hour or two though we got exhausted by the crowds and headed home for siesta. We spent the evening at a local bar with some ladies and their British friends, oh and we met a man with roses... Also shown in the pictures. God love him.

Feast your eyes on some random Barca nonsense. Enjoi.

                                                      (Artwork on the closed garage doors of shops)

                                        (Our new rose-vendor friend)

                                            (The fruit at the market! Delicious)

                                                (new friend at the dog park)

                                                    (This is just kindof cool. hello Barcelona)

                        (Living statue. This guy makes bank dressing up like a fool)

          ("Boyscout" shots. They light the bar on fire and let you roast marshmallows!)

             (No idea where this is. Im told we can see it from our street?)

                                             (Old City)

                                      (Wine in a juice box.)

Simple pleasures.

Probably one of the least uneventful days here in Barcelona, and also probably one of the better ones.

Had class at 10:45... actually had time to eat breakfast and get some free coffee at home (score). My Spanish class is a joke. It's only a level lower than the class that literally drew tears, yet it seems so easy. It's still miles higher than what I need for UVM credit though, so I don't care. I could use an easy class.

After class I had a lovely lunch of China food with some ladies. Cheap too, yes. Then I strolled home and read a book until Katherine texted me and invited me to meet her and our friend Jane at her apartment. We spent an hour in the cool late-afternoon air of the city on Jane's terrace listening to her play guitar and sing original songs. Homegirl has the most beautiful voice. I can't wait for her to be famous. Then we stopped at a local market and bought some cheap wine in the form of juice boxes (not kidding) that ran me about 30 cents a piece, plus candy because I'm a child, and headed to a park nearby to enjoy our loot.

Not only was the park beautiful, but somehow we stumbled upon a DOG PARK! Best day ever! There were about 20 dogs running around without leashes, playing with each other and letting us pet them. It was some much needed dog therapy for sure. Ended the day with dinner con Felicidad, where she told us about some great places in town to visit (touristy ishh), and I am currently drinking a leftover juice-box of wine and lazing in my bed. I finished my homework like a good little student, no worries.

Days like this make me realize that this is my life. Sure class is important, but being abroad is all about finding things you love about a city thousands of miles away from home. Barcelona, you are beautiful.

Peace, America. Matt do you still hate me?

Better days.

Feeling much better than yesterday. Katherine told me about a book she read by a famous (?) monk, in which he wrote about accepting sadness, and she explained to me that I had to acknowledge it, accept it, and tell myself that I was there for well, myself. Kindof a lonely idea, but it seemed to help.

Today, as you all know was 9/11... but it also was the Catalan Pride holiday as well. We were advised to be cautious because crowds of Catalans who already hate Americans may do something drastic. Katherine and I took this as a reason to stay in today. Lame, yes. But today also brought some good news, which must have helped me feel better as well. I learned that I do in fact come home on December 17th, and I don't have to find housing for an extra week in order to take exams. All of my classes finish before the 17th. Thank God. That was one stress I did not need. Katherine and I also booked our trip to visit her friend in Mallorca. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, Google image search Mallorca, Spain. It looks incredible, and the best part is, we don't have to stay in a hostel. We can stay with Katherine's friend Carlos. So excited!

And here is just a fun fact I learned from host mama Felicidad... apparently Salvador Dali (who's house/museum I get to see next weekend!!) actually died in a hospital clinic just two minutes down the road from our house. Not necessarily a good thing... but definitely interesting.

It still seems so unreal that I live in Spain. If I get homesick there's really not all that much I can do. I know I will miss it when I go home, but for now everything is just so new and stressful. We did find an American food store close to our house today though, hahaha. They have Betty Crocker and Lucky Charms. So weird. I wish they had you Matt on their shelves. I would bring you back to the homestay immediately. Feli would love you, haha.

I'll post pictures and more interesting things once I actually do something with my life. Love you, America.

Weekendz

Weekends are for homesick breakdowns. Everything slows down... there's still a million and one things to do, and yet getting out of bed and doing them is a whole different story. Hit snooze for an hours worth of interrupted sleeping, and eventually got the energy to put on a bathing suit and go to the beach. It was worth it though. We swam in the Mediterranean and lazed in the sun with a group of IES ladies for a few hours, and eventually packed it in and headed home. Katherine and I scoured the streets for a while looking for something to keep us busy, but Spaniards love to close all the shops for "siesta" between the hours of 1pm and 6pm (I'm convinced its this long). We ended up sitting on a bench outside of a busy bar watching them cheer for FC Barca on a TV that took four guys fiddling with it to turn on.

Eventually though, nothing is going to hold it back. I had my first embarrassing breakdown, tears, snot, and all. I am very far outside of my comfort zone... and a recent discovery threw me over the edge. Better out than in I guess.

I promise to never blog about crying again.

Sorry Matt, didn't mean to forget about you. I love  you and I miss you though!

Rough.

For the record, I'm sure people from other European countries are plenty nice... but this was not my experience today in class. I will leave it at that. Bad day at Universidad Autonoma. 

As for the rest of my day. Fantastic. I went to the mall with Jane and Katherine. Sounds boring, but I promise you it was not. The building used to be an old bull fighting arena. Now it is a mall. But if you go to the top floor, you can stand outside and look over the city. Jane timed it perfectly so we managed to catch it as the sun was setting. Beautiful. We also saw a beautiful museum close to the mall. I'm embarrassed for not knowing the name of it... but it was a big castle on top of a hill. At night apparently they have a light show with the fountains in front of the castle, but of course we were not there for that. We just explored the grounds and gardens surrounding the castle (too cheap for the museum haha).

(Self timed photo, museum/castle, bull fighting arena/mall)

We stopped to buy magnets (for 1 euro) from a man on the street near the museum, but a cop came by and flashed his badge. The man hid all of his goods in a tree close by (hahaha), but we still proceeded to buy the magnets. In our defense, they were really cool magnets. And worth it.The only thing I bought all day was a 1 euro magnet, candy (duh), and a bottle of wine for 2 euros. Living the life, I must say. Also, the first touristy thing I've done since I've been here! Visiting the museum that is. Besides being an American and not speaking Spanish... those are givens.

We went out tonight. Thursday night. Went to a bar that was promoted to be free entry. If by free they meant sneak in for free, then yes, they were telling the truth. Otherwise they lied. Probably a bad idea to go out, seeing as I have orientation for UPF tomorrow at 9am... but its all I have to do tomorrow, and I'm only in Spain once. I plan on napping and enjoying my weekend to the fullest. We have plans to go to the beach AND visit the museum of Salvador Dali. I can't wait.

I miss home a lot. This is a hint to you all to send me pictures and such of home (yoggies most importantly) and possibly contact me. I know I'm hard to reach. I'm making an effort to stay in contact. Use that Google Voice! And Skype! Mama and Papa bear, lets see that webcam! Lord knows I need to see some US of A!

Also, HELLO Mathew and Minerva! I miss you both so much, I can't wait to see you in four months!! :)

Barca Heat

It is HOT here. Mucho calor. I am dying. I need to be back in Vermont where it's probably already snowing. This heat is a killer if you ever want to go anywhere, by foot or by metro. The metro stations are saunas and if you plan on walking, plan on sweating. I can't wait for cooler weather when I can wear pants and scarves and jackets! I am complaining because I spent 3 hours today hiking around the city looking for a really cheap bazaar/market type thing... but our poor sense of direction ended up getting us lost, and mid hike we stopped for "claras". Its a combo of juice and beer. Its delicious. By the time we found the market it was closed. All that walking for nothing. I am so tired... and also super pathetic for being so tired. One good thing did come out of our excursion though. I found an English book store really close to our home stay! I've been reading a lot during down time, and now I can get more books when I'm done with my current one (suggestions are welcome!)

To try and cool down yesterday we went to the beach after class. Of course though, because we came from class, I didn't have my bathing suit. So I splashed around in the water a bit and was over it pretty quickly, despite the fact that it was my first encounter with the Mediterranean Sea (Yikes!). People like to be naked on the beach, by the way. Something I have no problem with, but don't plan on doing much of.

Afterwards, we had dinner with Feli (our host mom). Cutest woman ever. Our communication is still pretty limited, but we gossiped about the previous students she had stay with her from IES. One girl was apparently CRAZZYYY. She told us we were lovely to have though. Gold stars for Katherine and I! Matt I must have learned how to be charming from hanging out with you so much!

I started classes yesterday. I have two at Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona. "Global Environmental Governance" and "Poverty, Inequality, and Globalization". Woof. My classes as UPF don't start until September 26th though, which is cool, but it will also keep be from getting home until December 23rd because of exams. Looks like I need to change my plane tickets :( They don't accept plane tickets as a reason to miss the exam or take it early.

Alright, I desperately need a siesta (nap)... I think we're going to stay in tonight and watch a movie or something equally as relaxing. We need it. Its been a long week to say the least. Take care, America.

Taking to it.

 (Two of my favorite ladies)


Dull day here is boring old Barcelona. Just kidding. Hauled ass all over town, per usual.

Turns out I'm in the wrong Spanish class. Cheating on the placement exam probably wasn't the best idea, but a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do. I needed to be in an advanced level to get credit at UVM, but I apparently underestimated my cheating abilities. I managed to place in two levels higher than I needed. After being completely useless in class, not being able to read nor fill out 90% of the first exam, and then mildly crying, the professora finally agreed to let me drop down a level. To make myself feel better afterwards, I treated myself to a caramel frappaccino. #whitegirlproblems.

We had orientation for Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona today too. Useless. It was an hour of boring powerpoints and we got an unwanted binder full of papers that don't apply to us. They did however tell us that we would probably fail the classes we are signed up for (not kidding), and also that if you fell asleep in class you would be shot (also not kidding. They were though, I think.). What I got most out of the whole ordeal is meeting more new friends. After we left one girl and I got sangria and tapas in town, just because. We talked about our home schools, and how we were finally starting to take to the city life. Yay!

I still can't get over how weird it is to be the minority. Sure there are tourists swarming the streets but every time I see a nerdy white guy with a camera around his neck, he's speaking fluent Spanish. Us pathetic Americans that don't speak the language and don't know the customs are constantly being mean-mugged. That or people think they can take advantage of us (enter the waiter today who brought us two plates of potatoes when we only ordered one... this has happened twice to me. Must be some sort of conspiracy). I realize I stick out like a sore thumb but there is no need to be rude. I can't wait to be able to speak Spanish to everyone and look like I live here. There's no hope for Katherine, that broad is too blonde. Although, the Spanish men go crazy over her. And all of our blonde friends. It's funny but a little desperate.

Looks like we're going out on the town tonight. Peace out America, miss you mucho (especially you Maffew).

Wine for 1 Euro.

 (Gaudi's house, and some neighborhood pictures. All within a few block of our homestay. all also taken by Katherine's nice camera.)

Slept in til 2 today. Didn't get in until 4, so I suppose that's normal. Spaniards are so wild at night. Its the usual to leave to go out around 11:30... play in a local bar until 2 and then go to a club to dance. I am not able to keep up with these crazies. We stepped outside around 3:30 to get some air from dancing and I just about fell asleep on the sidewalk. I'm a baby. I need to grow up.

Last night was so fun though, regardless of how tiring it was. It started out as just Katherine, our friends Erin, Jane, Kristine, and I... and by the end of the night we had crowd of about 20 girls from IES. God love them. Such a great group of girls. Everyone is so friendly and hilarious. I am so thankful for being able to meet new people here. It also makes me feel much safer to travel in packs. Matt you would have loved it. So many pretty girls to hit on. We gave our girl Anna some great business at her bar, and then walked to a circus themed club down the street. I've learned to always take the promotion flyer they give out on the streets for clubs. It usually gets you a free drink at the bar (I'm cheap!).

As for today, I think we disappointed Felicidad by not going to the beach. It was our original plan, but then we slept so late. Oops. We ended up spending the whole day lazing around. I read a lot here seeing as I don't understand Spanish TV and there's only so much Facebook stalking one can do during down time. I also spent half the day panicking about classes. I managed to sign up for a class in just about every university in Barcelona. Looks like my school week will include a WHOLE LOT of walking around the city. Gonna get my exercise on for sure. Maybe I'll come back as skinny as all these Barcelona broads. They look like they're going to blow away in the wind or snap an arm waving for a taxi. Maybe it's something in the water.

Because we missed breakfast, Katherine and I went to grab some food at a cafe near our apartment. They were only serving tapas at the time, but of course the menu was in catalan. We managed to explain to the waiter that Katherine did not eat meat... so he just about gave us everything on the menu that didn't have meat in it. Delicious, yes. Expensive, also yes. We kindof think we were getting messed with, but we didn't speak enough Catalan (or Spanish for that matter) to tell them to stop bringing us food. Saying "no mas!" only got us laughs in return. Fantastic. After, we did a photo tour of our neighborhood and found a little store to buy snacks for our room. This is where we encountered bottles of wine for 1 euro. Obviously we indulged and snagged a bottle. Who wouldn't? It's been a bit of a homesick day, so we figured we would meet up with some friends later and enjoy said bottle of wine with them.

I definitely could use a hug right about now. I am days away from a big pile of stressful things being dumped on my shoulders... I don't even want to think about it. Someone at home give Tory and Ginger big kisses for me <3

Real sleep. Finally.

Today was the first day I actually felt rested. I was (in the words of some Gabrees) "running on fumes" since about Tuesday night in the states, but I think the jetlag has finally ceased. Last night was a little rough, in the sense of being confusing, not a bad night. Having no phones made it very difficult to find our friends we were supposed to meet up with... soooo Katherine and I made good friends with a bartender at a local bar and spent the night talking to her. She was so adorable. Polish girl, living in Barca with her boyfriend, speaks 4 different languages, loves Dave Matthews Band and the band Phoenix.... goodness, she's fantastic. She gave us free drinks and invited us to a party being held at the same bar next week (we get in for free because we're just so friendly)!

But unfortunately, I woke up this morning feeling a little under the weather. Nothing to do with out excursions last night, I promise. I tend to feel sick right when I wake up lately, I think its all the stress of moving to a new country. Anyways, I skipped my orientation and slept in to go to Katherine's meeting (which was the same information). Then we went to lunch with some friends and FINALLY got phones! Now I can communicate! Thank the lord! I also got a bag for school that I can put books in. Problem: They don't take American Express anywhere here. I used cash a lot. Something I was pre-warned about but no one listens to Grace.

I took a nice long nap when we got back, ate dinner with Senora Felicidad (homegirl knows how to cook, thats for sure) and I am killing some time before we head out to a REAL night on the town WITH friends, haha. Last night was a mild fluke.Matt I miss having your charming self at parties and cuddling with me when you start to get sleepy :) Although I don't know how acceptable sleeping is as bars and clubs... hahaha

Starting to feel mighty homesick though. Barcelona is beautiful, the people are friendly, and I constantly am falling more and more in love with the city and its wild culture, but I still miss my old life. Katherine skypes with her friends/family/boyfriend a lot, which makes me miss my friends and family a lot. I constantly think about you all! Utilize that Google Voice thing, I love hearing from you! And email! And SKYPE!

Ciao!

Twoadays

I realize I already posted a blog entry today... but each minute is a new experience and I feel the need to share. Blog entries may slow down later, but for now I want to get it all out in words.

Today was a huge big hectic mess. We were awoken at 7am by Senora Felicidad who was convinced we had class at 9 and needed her to bring us to the IES Abroad center. Both were incorrect. But we ate breakfast with her and then lazed around until we had to get to orientation. From there on out it has been the most stressful day. First of all, the hike to the IES center, and basically where all my classes are, is about a 45 minute walk. I kid you not. Looks like I'm spending all my money on the metro this semester (Yes, I'm lazy). But of course, because it was just Katherine and I, we managed to get lost trying to find the place. OF COURSE. I was over an hour late for my orientation meeting... no big deal.

Afterwards, I had a few hours to kill before Katherine and our friend Erin got out of their orientation, so I decided to explore on my own for a while. I bought a frosty coffee beverage and found a park to read my book in... pleasant yes? Wrong. I was bombarded by a man who believed we were soul mates because the bible said so. Luckily I was only a few minutes from the IES center, so I hurried my butt back there and spent the rest of the two hours reading in the computer lab. Pathetic. Looks like I'm not allowed out by myself anymore.

When I met my lady friends, we ended up finding a few more creepily familiar Facebook friends, and we wandered the shops to find a place for lunch. Shout out to Minerva, shops here are stocked with Pink Elephants. You know what you're getting as a present! We got lunch at a small sandwich place and told funny stories about our Barca experiences thus far. Nice group of girls... I hope to see more of them.

THEN we had a second orientation in which police officers and IES faculty made us all cry with horror stories of robbers, stabbings, ruffie-ings, and identity theft. Awesome. If it makes anyone feel any better, I'm pretty sure I could be a great thief after hearing the intricacies of these people's plans. So many ways to get robbed here. They claim Barcelona is a safe and peaceful city though... seems like they are lying about one or the other.

Oh, and THEN... Katherine and I went on an expedition for cell phones. The place we thought would be a great deal ended up being the most expensive plan we've heard of all day. So we are going to have to spend yet another day using our unreliable wifi as means of communication with anyone. We need phones bad. Its sad how reliant one can be on a little piece of plastic.


Ok. We are going to shower and try to get out to the first bar of the semester. Drinking age is 18 here, no one can complain. I'll be safe I promise (to those of you who are worried). Love you love you love you love you so anyone who has the endurance to read all of this.


Oh, and of course I didn't forget... Mathew, How was your day? I'm so proud of you for wanted to do the Peace Corps... study hard and make it a reality! Its your perfect fit :)

"Don't Get Arrested"

"Don't get areested." Words of wisdom from Papa Bear prior to departure... hahaha. Thanks. I'll try.

Well after about 11 hours of travel time, we are finally safe and sound in Barcelona, our new home for the next three and a half months. The 7 hour plane ride was just such a pleasant ride with the couple in front of us reclining their seats into a full horizontal position. Their heads were in our laps. Words were said, but apparently they went unheard.Our home stay is a very cute apartment, and very small according to American standards.

We are slowly discovering that the older generations of people do not speak a lick of English. This includes our host mom Felicidad and her 23 year old son as well. Just our luck. Communication is slim, especially at 7am while trying to explain (half asleep) that we don't have school until 10:45 and we are incredible too jet-lagged to be up for a morning spin around the city. Keep in mind we are 6 hours ahead of Eastern/Standard time. Last night Felicidad gave us a tour of the neighborhood though. We live about 2 minutes from everything important. The metro, the bus, some coffee shops, a pharmacy, a grocery store... and the best part, the famous architect Gaudi's old home. This house is built like a fun house, it is the craziest architecture I've seen yet in Spain. I understood Felicidad enough to catch that it is just a regular home to a random family now. I want to be in that family. Matt maybe some day we can live there together!

We just ate breakfast with Felicidad, and now as she goes to a Dr.s appointment we have time to sleep a bit more, and eventually navigate our way to the IES Study Abroad center for orientation. We have a whole list of things to buy beforehand (travel phones, coat hangers, power converters) but they might just have to wait. I think finding our way will be the biggest feat of our day. Baby steps.

I miss home like crazy. I have yet to cry, but as convinced as Katherine is that I have it all together, I am horrified for what experiences will come. The city is beautiful, and though I've only seen a cab ride's worth, I am already in love... but I miss home. I miss Tory and Ginger, I miss speaking English instead of broken Spanish, I miss my family and my friends, I miss Burlington, I miss you Matt. The waterworks will probably come when I start to see pictures on facebook, or if I skype any of you in the States...

Before I head out. I can text via my iPhone on Wifi only with this cool program called Google Voice. It's free to text any cell phone... but I can only use it when I have WiFi. So I won't be reliable with it... but words from home will be comforting (hint hint).

My number is 1-860-385-1817. Texts only!


Adios for now, America. I love you.