More stuff that doesn't fit in another blog
-There is no such thing as personal space in Spain. Theyarethisclosetoeachotherallthetime
-I must have terrible karma, because lately packages have had some trouble getting to me. My parents sent me another 90 day supply of contacts that I need to see. Without, I'm blind as a bat. Customs has decided that my contacts are a commercial product and want me to pay import taxes on them. Good thing I have contacts solution and can rewear them if I have to, because it's looking like Customs in Madrid will be sending these back to the US without ever having reached me.
-My parents also sent me another package with some medicine and gifts. To avoid my package being held in customs for weeks or months, they sent it FedEx. This cost is way more but it seemed likely to get to me within a reasonable amount of time. Like within a week, like my mom paid for. The package got to Madrid and didn't clear Customs, so it was sent back to the US. My medicine and Christmas gifts are still waiting for me, but this time there's an ocean in the way, not Customs.
-But I did receive the package my aunt & uncle sent and the painting Lee sent me, so muchisimas gracias!
-We're changing host families on the 8th of January. As part of my exchange I'll have three families. Originally Rotary selected the 26th of December as the day for us to change, but they did this without asking our families if that date was ok. It wasn't. So finally the 8th has been chosen.
-I don't know my next host family, as the girl that lives there now Mariel, doesn't spend any time with the rest of the Pamplonians. I don't ever see or communicate with her so I haven't had the chance to meet the people I'll be living with like the rest of the Pamplonians did.
-Mitchell and I signed up for Salsa and Tango classes at the youth center. I'm so excited to learn how to dance! Plus, it gives me something to do. But I'll have to quit theater, as dance class is on Thursday at the same time. I don't consider myself a quitter, but I this instance I am. I've never really cared for theater and I don't want to waste my exchange doing something I don't enjoy.
-My host family is taking me to Madrid on the 2nd! It'll be a great way to spend our last days together.
-I forgot to mention that I gave my host family gifts for Christmas, which I think they quite like. For Enrique & Alberto--basketball fans--Memphis Grizzlies t shirts (it doesn't hurt that the most famous Spanish basketball players play for Memphis) and for Aurora & Julia rings that have their initials that I had made this summer in New Orleans.
-I can tell my Spanish is improving, but I'm still dying to be fluent and have been practicing and studying more. It's nice not to have problems like I once did, mixing up the words borracha and borrato, drunk and cheap respectively. I no longer call things drunk. I can't wait for the day when I can make people laugh in Spanish. That I miss.
-I now have to fully participate in school, including tests. In my last week I had two tests, one in historia and one in economia. My history test was this: Write what you know about the Restoration period in Spain. Not too bad. I'm glad my teacher didn't give me the actual test, as that included essays. Economia was another story. My teacher Pablo gave me the real test instead of "write what you know" kind of thing like I expected. I wrote him a note explaining that I didn't know the definitions or how to do the problems (those totally confuse me, not the language but the math) and instead I wrote what I knew. I didn't know much, but everything I wrote was correct. Satisfied with that, Pablo then asked me to translate the test into english. Easy.
-I know it's not over, but the month of December has passed by me with lightning speed. I can't believe it's almost January and time to change families. It saddens me because I know soon my exchange will be over. And I never want this experience to end.
-2 months into No Shave Winter and I'm still going strong. What were once bald patches (I've learned the hair on my legs doesn't normally grow everywhere, except when I grow it out like this) are beginning to sprout short little hairs. It's a bit strange looking.
-I finally finished all my college applications and now have to concentrate on scholarships. I hate this process. In Spain, there is a test known as La Selectividad that greatly determines where you can go to college. Grades from school and scores on La Selectividad are pretty much the only thing colleges look at in Spain, so there's no worrying about participating in enough extracurricular activities or the right kinds of activities. The only concern is scoring high enough on the exam. Most people stay in their city or region in order to remain close to their families.
-Every Christmas, the Spanish government has a lottery. A school in Madrid is chosen, and students from that school draw the lottery numbers. They sing the numbers. I have no idea why, but it's an interesting tradition.
-Tradidional Christmas dessert in Spain equals turron. My family has been eating it for weeks. I love it. Turron comes in a variety of flavors and there are many types. I sent my parents some turron, but I guess I can't send packages in addition to receiving them, as my parents still haven't received it.
-I really want my package with my Christmas gifts. Reeeeaally badly. I don't know if I'll be able to get it, as it cost a fortune to send and I understand if my parents don't want to pay that again. Plus, it didn't clear Customs the first time so I'm not sure if sending again would be any help.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Navidad
After getting home Thursday morning at the ungodly time of 8am, I only had a few hours to pack and sleep before leaving for Calatayud, Aurora's pubelo.
Tired is an understatement. So I slept then showered before throwing some clothes in a bag.
We left about 11.30. I slept for most of the ride there (understandably). Before arriving to Calatayud, we ate lunch in Zaragoza and stopped at HUGE mall along the way.
Sometime in the evening we arrived at Calatayud. We listened to a Christmas cd I borrowed from Alex and forgot to return, which was nice touch. Christmas isn't as important in Spain as it is in the US. There's another holiday in January called Tres Reyes that is more important. I love Christmas and pretty much every US Christmas tradition so not to hear any Christmas carols or have a Christmas tree was a tad sad.
It was in the car on the way to Calatauyd that it really set in that I was about to have my first Christmas away from home. I never wanted the drive to Aurora's pueblo to end. I figured once we got there, it would only get harder.
And the first night in Calatayud was. We didn't do much so I had plenty of time to think about home and be homesick. Ad I was. I cried a lot. Not a heavy cry, but just a few tears constantly. Thursday night kinda sucked.
But Friday I woke up feeling better, constantly reminding myself it was only one day and that I wouldn't feel like that the rest of my exchange.
Friday we went to the host grandparents' torre for lunch. The whole family came and there were a lot of em. I met everyone but I only remember about half of their names. People in Spain like to name their kids after family members so there'll be several people with the same name. For example, in my host family (I think) my host grandmother's name is Aurora, my host mom, and Aurora my host cousin. This repetition does not help. Instead, it left me wondering who were the Carloses and who were the Miguels. For the record, I have no idea how many people are named Carlos or Miguel. There's probably at least one.
Everyone was so nice and asked me lots of questions. One of my host aunts Concha (there was only one Concha so her name was easy to remember) even complimented my Spanish! I feel like I spoke a lot this weekend and I noticed I feel more confident when I speak. Hopefully this trend will continue.
It was a long lunch and the food was great. I guess people in my host family and extended host family have an aversion to cooking, because no one does it. Christmas Eve Lunch? Ordered and delivered. It's a bit different from my what my family does, but oh well.
After that some of the host cousins broke out the Trivial Pursuit and invited me to play. I'm not that bad at Trivial Pursuit (in english) but this was in spanish. And Disney. All I can say is, at least we had partners. Because it would have been embarrasing otherwise.
We left to go back to the apartment to siesta and chill for a bit. I checked my email to see when my parents wanted to talk. Truthfully, I wasn't that homesick and I was enjoying myself, but I had to talk to my parents on Christmas.
Julia and Aurora (the host cousin, not the grandma or my host mom) invited me to go to a bar with them. I found it a bit odd too, that they wanted to go out on Christmas Eve, but I didn't have anything else to do I joined them. It was boring for all of us so we didn't stay out that long.
Upon returning back to the apartment, we had to wait. For what? More like "for whom?"
Papa Noel was coming soon! Unlike the US, presents are opened late on Christmas Eve.
Not much later, someone dressed up as Papa Noel brought gifts to the apartment. Seriously. I am 18 years old and experience this for the first time in my life. Papa Noel is really only for little kids, although I enjoyed his arrival almost as much
as my young host cousins.
At this moment, I was so glad to spending Christmas in Spain. Not because Santa came, but because I got to experience a Spanish Christmas. And even if it had be awful it was only one day.
What did Santa bring? A new ring (of course), a scarf and a headband. Not matter what my host family got me, I would have been happy. It's the thought that counts. But they really are nice gifts.
The presents opened and the floor covered in wrapping paper, it was then time to eat. We sat down at the table at 10 and didn't go to bed until 2.30.
Saturday we had a late breakfast and then came back to the apartment to chill for a little. Then we left for Christmas lunch. Again the whole family came. We ate a restaurant they always go to. Again, no one in the family cooked. And again that evening Julia and Aurora invited me to go out with them. I couldn't do it. I mean, Christmas is about Jesus and Santa. I can't imagine going to some bars on Christmas Day. I figured I wouldn't enjoy myself plus I had a skype date with my parents so I didn't go.
My parents and I talked for an hour and half, but I could have talked longer. It was the first time we spoke to each other in two weeks (excluding emails) so it was great to hear from them.
After talking with the folks I joined my family in watching some movie with The Rock in it. This is the second movie I've seen in Spain that stars Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Why his movies have made it all the way to Spain and are shown on tv, I do not know or understand.
Sunday my host parents and I had churros con chocolate for breakfast before meeting some other members of the extended family at a near by cafe.
We came back to the apartment, packed and left for lunch in Zaragoza. Lunch at a restaurant. Again, the aversion to cooking. It's just different for me to eat out so much because my American mom is always cooking.
We ate with some of my host dad Enrique's friends. It was another long lunch of course. Once the marathon lunch concluded, we departed for Pamplona.
Tired is an understatement. So I slept then showered before throwing some clothes in a bag.
We left about 11.30. I slept for most of the ride there (understandably). Before arriving to Calatayud, we ate lunch in Zaragoza and stopped at HUGE mall along the way.
Sometime in the evening we arrived at Calatayud. We listened to a Christmas cd I borrowed from Alex and forgot to return, which was nice touch. Christmas isn't as important in Spain as it is in the US. There's another holiday in January called Tres Reyes that is more important. I love Christmas and pretty much every US Christmas tradition so not to hear any Christmas carols or have a Christmas tree was a tad sad.
It was in the car on the way to Calatauyd that it really set in that I was about to have my first Christmas away from home. I never wanted the drive to Aurora's pueblo to end. I figured once we got there, it would only get harder.
And the first night in Calatayud was. We didn't do much so I had plenty of time to think about home and be homesick. Ad I was. I cried a lot. Not a heavy cry, but just a few tears constantly. Thursday night kinda sucked.
But Friday I woke up feeling better, constantly reminding myself it was only one day and that I wouldn't feel like that the rest of my exchange.
Friday we went to the host grandparents' torre for lunch. The whole family came and there were a lot of em. I met everyone but I only remember about half of their names. People in Spain like to name their kids after family members so there'll be several people with the same name. For example, in my host family (I think) my host grandmother's name is Aurora, my host mom, and Aurora my host cousin. This repetition does not help. Instead, it left me wondering who were the Carloses and who were the Miguels. For the record, I have no idea how many people are named Carlos or Miguel. There's probably at least one.
Everyone was so nice and asked me lots of questions. One of my host aunts Concha (there was only one Concha so her name was easy to remember) even complimented my Spanish! I feel like I spoke a lot this weekend and I noticed I feel more confident when I speak. Hopefully this trend will continue.
It was a long lunch and the food was great. I guess people in my host family and extended host family have an aversion to cooking, because no one does it. Christmas Eve Lunch? Ordered and delivered. It's a bit different from my what my family does, but oh well.
After that some of the host cousins broke out the Trivial Pursuit and invited me to play. I'm not that bad at Trivial Pursuit (in english) but this was in spanish. And Disney. All I can say is, at least we had partners. Because it would have been embarrasing otherwise.
We left to go back to the apartment to siesta and chill for a bit. I checked my email to see when my parents wanted to talk. Truthfully, I wasn't that homesick and I was enjoying myself, but I had to talk to my parents on Christmas.
Julia and Aurora (the host cousin, not the grandma or my host mom) invited me to go to a bar with them. I found it a bit odd too, that they wanted to go out on Christmas Eve, but I didn't have anything else to do I joined them. It was boring for all of us so we didn't stay out that long.
Upon returning back to the apartment, we had to wait. For what? More like "for whom?"
Papa Noel was coming soon! Unlike the US, presents are opened late on Christmas Eve.
Not much later, someone dressed up as Papa Noel brought gifts to the apartment. Seriously. I am 18 years old and experience this for the first time in my life. Papa Noel is really only for little kids, although I enjoyed his arrival almost as much
as my young host cousins.
At this moment, I was so glad to spending Christmas in Spain. Not because Santa came, but because I got to experience a Spanish Christmas. And even if it had be awful it was only one day.
What did Santa bring? A new ring (of course), a scarf and a headband. Not matter what my host family got me, I would have been happy. It's the thought that counts. But they really are nice gifts.
The presents opened and the floor covered in wrapping paper, it was then time to eat. We sat down at the table at 10 and didn't go to bed until 2.30.
Saturday we had a late breakfast and then came back to the apartment to chill for a little. Then we left for Christmas lunch. Again the whole family came. We ate a restaurant they always go to. Again, no one in the family cooked. And again that evening Julia and Aurora invited me to go out with them. I couldn't do it. I mean, Christmas is about Jesus and Santa. I can't imagine going to some bars on Christmas Day. I figured I wouldn't enjoy myself plus I had a skype date with my parents so I didn't go.
My parents and I talked for an hour and half, but I could have talked longer. It was the first time we spoke to each other in two weeks (excluding emails) so it was great to hear from them.
After talking with the folks I joined my family in watching some movie with The Rock in it. This is the second movie I've seen in Spain that stars Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Why his movies have made it all the way to Spain and are shown on tv, I do not know or understand.
Sunday my host parents and I had churros con chocolate for breakfast before meeting some other members of the extended family at a near by cafe.
We came back to the apartment, packed and left for lunch in Zaragoza. Lunch at a restaurant. Again, the aversion to cooking. It's just different for me to eat out so much because my American mom is always cooking.
We ate with some of my host dad Enrique's friends. It was another long lunch of course. Once the marathon lunch concluded, we departed for Pamplona.
Last Week of High School 2010
Sometimes it boggles my mind to think I graduated high school in May, yet I am still in school. But, as part of my exchange, I signed up for a fifth year of school.
This week we had charla (chat). University students and professionals came to talk about their careers and whatnot. It was kinda boring, but a nice break from class. And we got out of school early every day for it. Tuesday I went out to lunch with some friends. It was so much better than eating that mystery stuff at school.
Wednesday was fellow exchanger Athena's birthday so we celebrated by having merindades in a cafe. Later we went to La Trave like usual.
The other Pamplonians had curfews to meet, but I planned on going to Marengo (the discoteca) with friends from school. I got to Marengo about 3.30 and stayed all night. Since I live so far it made sense to stay until the morning, as there aren't buses very frequently to where I live. The next one was at 7.15
So after dancing all night I got on the bus home. I fell asleep but thankfully someone woke me up when we got there. Once I got home I only had time to sleep for a few hours before leaving for my host mom's pubelo for Christmas.
This week we had charla (chat). University students and professionals came to talk about their careers and whatnot. It was kinda boring, but a nice break from class. And we got out of school early every day for it. Tuesday I went out to lunch with some friends. It was so much better than eating that mystery stuff at school.
Wednesday was fellow exchanger Athena's birthday so we celebrated by having merindades in a cafe. Later we went to La Trave like usual.
The other Pamplonians had curfews to meet, but I planned on going to Marengo (the discoteca) with friends from school. I got to Marengo about 3.30 and stayed all night. Since I live so far it made sense to stay until the morning, as there aren't buses very frequently to where I live. The next one was at 7.15
So after dancing all night I got on the bus home. I fell asleep but thankfully someone woke me up when we got there. Once I got home I only had time to sleep for a few hours before leaving for my host mom's pubelo for Christmas.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
An Apple And Chocolate: Barcelona Day 3
Day 3 is more of a continuation of day 2.
After leaving the club at 5, we stopped in the street to talk about what to do next. No one wanted to go back to the hostel to sleep, so we decided to go to the beach to watch the sunrise. While we were talking, a man came and stole Alex's purse from her. He was so fast. He had to have cut it off of her since she didn't feel him rip it from her. She was wearing her purse across her chest like everyone tells you to. None of us were paying as much attention as we should have been at that moment. It could have happened to anyone, but it was Alex, a small town girl not used to big cities.
The guy got her debit cards, camera, cell phone, bus ticket home and student ID. He of course didn't hesitate to get some money out of the bank.
Instead of going to the beach, we went to the police station. I don't know if was just them, the hour they were working (it was close to 6 am at this point) or what, but the cops there were not the least bit helpful. And they didn't speak english. Everyone in Barcelona speaks english. All Alex could do was fill out a police report. All 6 of us were witnesses, but not one of the cops asked us for any statement or anything. They were real jerks at a time like that.
We had to go back to the hostel so Alex could skype her parents (thank goodness Tabea brought her laptop) and ask them to cancel her American debit card. A guy at the hostel offered to translate for Alex on the phone with her bank in Spain. And the guy working at the hostel gave us more time on the internet for free and directions to the Barcelona branch of Alex's bank. It was nice to see strangers offer help and be reminded that not everyone is a total douche. The people at the hostel were very helpful and sorry for what happened.
Check out time was 11 am, but our bus was until 10.20 pm so we packed and took our stuff to the other Pamplonians room (they stayed in a separate room and for another day). Then we had to find Alex's bank and go to the bus station.
Finding this bank was no easy task. Apparently there is only one Caja Laboral in all of Barcelona, and no one knows where it is. But looking for the bank offered a different part of the city that we otherwise wouldn't have seen. The lady at the bank was very nice, but the news she delivered was not.
After the bank, we went to the bus station. The lady behind the counter at the bus station asked no questions when we showed her Alex's copy of the police report and told her what happened. Alex got a new bus ticket for free. After doing as much as we could to fix what happened, it was time for sightseeing.
We brought some food with us that day, but it was the fruit we brought from Pamplona and the remainder of a chocolate bar I bought the day before. Alex and I made our way to Park Guell, a park designed by Gaudi. While on the subway, we met two young ladies who live and work in Madrid teaching english. One of them had their purse stolen in Madrid just three weeks before.
After Park Guell, Alex and I went to see some of the houses designed by Gaudi. Again, we didn't know exactly where we were going, but we got on the metro and went. We got off and saw some of Gaudi's work, overwhelmed by the beauty and intricacy of it all, but also because we hadn't eaten or slept quite some time. And an apple and chocolate aren't very nutritious.
We saw the outside of one of Gaudi's houses, but the not the inside. It was like 20 euros to enter. As poor exchange students, you can't do all the tourist things, you eat apples and chocolate for meals, and stay in hostels. This is the life. But we did go inside La Perdera, a famous apartment building designed by Gaudi.
Tired from a long two days, we went back to the hostel to sleep in our friends' room. When our friends returned from some sightseeing, we decided to go to the beach for dinner (bread for less than a euro and some ham to go with it). But first we had to go to the police station to give them the information we got from the bank. The lady at the bank gave Alex a list of the atms the thief went to and used Alex's card. Alex figured this would only take a moment at the police, thinking she could just drop it off.
The police said she had to file another police report. We said we didn't have time since the bus was at 10.20 and it was 7.30. They let her skip in line, but we still have time to go to the beach for dinner. Mitchell and I left to go get some bread and ham for dinner. But the police station was in the Pakistani neighborhood so ham wasn't easy to find. But then again, nothing about this day was easy. We did eventually find it and then went back to the police. Alex was still giving her statement so we started eating. In the waiting room of a police station in Barcelona. This memory might be my favorite from the trip because it is so strange.
After Alex finished filing the report, we went back to the hostel and relaxed for a moment. Then we had to leave for the bus station and head home to Pamplona. Honestly, I didn't want to come home. Barcelona is so much more beautiful and there is so much more to see & do. But Pamplona is where I live.
The city is one of the most beautiful I've ever seen and I would love to live there one day. Maybe there's an American university there?
Oh and college, my mom doesn't have much of a problem with me going to SLU Madrid. So if I can go to college in Spain, I definitely will. After going to Barcelona, I would absolutely go to college there over anywhere in the US.
To wrap us this very long post, I had an amazing time in Barcelona and will look back on this trip fondly. We had so much fun and saw some beautiful things. Also, I got some gifts for people while I was there. So some of my friends and family can look forward to gifts from Barcelona!
After leaving the club at 5, we stopped in the street to talk about what to do next. No one wanted to go back to the hostel to sleep, so we decided to go to the beach to watch the sunrise. While we were talking, a man came and stole Alex's purse from her. He was so fast. He had to have cut it off of her since she didn't feel him rip it from her. She was wearing her purse across her chest like everyone tells you to. None of us were paying as much attention as we should have been at that moment. It could have happened to anyone, but it was Alex, a small town girl not used to big cities.
The guy got her debit cards, camera, cell phone, bus ticket home and student ID. He of course didn't hesitate to get some money out of the bank.
Instead of going to the beach, we went to the police station. I don't know if was just them, the hour they were working (it was close to 6 am at this point) or what, but the cops there were not the least bit helpful. And they didn't speak english. Everyone in Barcelona speaks english. All Alex could do was fill out a police report. All 6 of us were witnesses, but not one of the cops asked us for any statement or anything. They were real jerks at a time like that.
We had to go back to the hostel so Alex could skype her parents (thank goodness Tabea brought her laptop) and ask them to cancel her American debit card. A guy at the hostel offered to translate for Alex on the phone with her bank in Spain. And the guy working at the hostel gave us more time on the internet for free and directions to the Barcelona branch of Alex's bank. It was nice to see strangers offer help and be reminded that not everyone is a total douche. The people at the hostel were very helpful and sorry for what happened.
Check out time was 11 am, but our bus was until 10.20 pm so we packed and took our stuff to the other Pamplonians room (they stayed in a separate room and for another day). Then we had to find Alex's bank and go to the bus station.
Finding this bank was no easy task. Apparently there is only one Caja Laboral in all of Barcelona, and no one knows where it is. But looking for the bank offered a different part of the city that we otherwise wouldn't have seen. The lady at the bank was very nice, but the news she delivered was not.
After the bank, we went to the bus station. The lady behind the counter at the bus station asked no questions when we showed her Alex's copy of the police report and told her what happened. Alex got a new bus ticket for free. After doing as much as we could to fix what happened, it was time for sightseeing.
We brought some food with us that day, but it was the fruit we brought from Pamplona and the remainder of a chocolate bar I bought the day before. Alex and I made our way to Park Guell, a park designed by Gaudi. While on the subway, we met two young ladies who live and work in Madrid teaching english. One of them had their purse stolen in Madrid just three weeks before.
After Park Guell, Alex and I went to see some of the houses designed by Gaudi. Again, we didn't know exactly where we were going, but we got on the metro and went. We got off and saw some of Gaudi's work, overwhelmed by the beauty and intricacy of it all, but also because we hadn't eaten or slept quite some time. And an apple and chocolate aren't very nutritious.
We saw the outside of one of Gaudi's houses, but the not the inside. It was like 20 euros to enter. As poor exchange students, you can't do all the tourist things, you eat apples and chocolate for meals, and stay in hostels. This is the life. But we did go inside La Perdera, a famous apartment building designed by Gaudi.
Tired from a long two days, we went back to the hostel to sleep in our friends' room. When our friends returned from some sightseeing, we decided to go to the beach for dinner (bread for less than a euro and some ham to go with it). But first we had to go to the police station to give them the information we got from the bank. The lady at the bank gave Alex a list of the atms the thief went to and used Alex's card. Alex figured this would only take a moment at the police, thinking she could just drop it off.
The police said she had to file another police report. We said we didn't have time since the bus was at 10.20 and it was 7.30. They let her skip in line, but we still have time to go to the beach for dinner. Mitchell and I left to go get some bread and ham for dinner. But the police station was in the Pakistani neighborhood so ham wasn't easy to find. But then again, nothing about this day was easy. We did eventually find it and then went back to the police. Alex was still giving her statement so we started eating. In the waiting room of a police station in Barcelona. This memory might be my favorite from the trip because it is so strange.
After Alex finished filing the report, we went back to the hostel and relaxed for a moment. Then we had to leave for the bus station and head home to Pamplona. Honestly, I didn't want to come home. Barcelona is so much more beautiful and there is so much more to see & do. But Pamplona is where I live.
The city is one of the most beautiful I've ever seen and I would love to live there one day. Maybe there's an American university there?
Oh and college, my mom doesn't have much of a problem with me going to SLU Madrid. So if I can go to college in Spain, I definitely will. After going to Barcelona, I would absolutely go to college there over anywhere in the US.
To wrap us this very long post, I had an amazing time in Barcelona and will look back on this trip fondly. We had so much fun and saw some beautiful things. Also, I got some gifts for people while I was there. So some of my friends and family can look forward to gifts from Barcelona!
BGP in Sagrada Familia: Barcelona Day 2
Monday: day 2. We arose and left for La Sagrada Familia. To say it is a beautiful church is like saying I like Justin Timberlake. That's somewhat of an understatement.
La Sagrada Familia is enormous and gorgeous, and it's not even complete yet. We waited almost two hours in line to see it, but the wait was worth it. After that we ate lunch at a little Turkish place. No one ordered kebabs since we have to remain faithful and loyal to Rob & Doner Kebab in Pamplona.
Mitchell, Alex and I then went to see FC Barcelona's stadium Camp Nou. We wanted to go to the aquarium but it was 17.50 euros, a price we all agreed was ridiculous. So then we walked to the History of Cataluyna museum, but it was closed. Afterall, it was 8 oclock on a festivo in Spain. Alex and I walked around the city some more and saw La Plaza de Cataluyna. On our way there, was stopped at the market in the street and bought gifts for friends and family.So we went back to the hostel to sleep for a few hours before going out that night.
We got to the club at 3.30 but it closed at 5, which none of us were expecting. So we left the club and then stopped in the street to talk about where we would go next.
La Sagrada Familia is enormous and gorgeous, and it's not even complete yet. We waited almost two hours in line to see it, but the wait was worth it. After that we ate lunch at a little Turkish place. No one ordered kebabs since we have to remain faithful and loyal to Rob & Doner Kebab in Pamplona.
Mitchell, Alex and I then went to see FC Barcelona's stadium Camp Nou. We wanted to go to the aquarium but it was 17.50 euros, a price we all agreed was ridiculous. So then we walked to the History of Cataluyna museum, but it was closed. Afterall, it was 8 oclock on a festivo in Spain. Alex and I walked around the city some more and saw La Plaza de Cataluyna. On our way there, was stopped at the market in the street and bought gifts for friends and family.So we went back to the hostel to sleep for a few hours before going out that night.
We got to the club at 3.30 but it closed at 5, which none of us were expecting. So we left the club and then stopped in the street to talk about where we would go next.
"Can You Guys Wait A Second? I Have To Go Get Some Tofu": Barcelona Day 1
I didn't sleep much or very well. But it didn't matter. I was so excited and relieved to be going to Barcelona. I panicked Saturday and thought maybe I wouldn't get to go. But Sunday morning at 9.20 am, Alex and I boarded the bus to Barcelona.
We got there about 2.30ish with no real idea where our hostel was. Four of the other exchangers in Pamplona arrived early Friday morning so they knew where the hostel was, but all of them are terrible with directions. So they weren't very helpful when we called.
Alex and I picked a direction to go and off we went. We stopped for second to look at map again. Then a guy, in an American accent, asked if we needed any help. Who doesn't love free help? He looked at the map we had, and then said this "Can you guys hold on a second? I have to go get some tofu?"
I have never been asked to wait while someone gets tofu. I thought it was a strange request, but since he offered to help us find our hostel, we of course waited.He showed us a neighbor most tourists don't see and found our hostel for us.
We checked in, dropped our stuff off, and then left to see some of the city. The weather in Barcelona was so much nicer than in Pamplona. we left behind our winter coats and gloves for light jackets. It was so nice to leave behind winter, even if only for a few days.
That evening we tried to find the Picasso museum, which wasn't easy. We eventually found it and the extremely long line waiting to get in it. Turns out the museum is free on Sundays. Alex and I easily decided to skip it. I mean, who thinks of Picasso when they think of Barcelona? It wasn't a great loss. Instead, we continued on our walk through the city. We stumbled upon a little market, where I bought a new wallet. Then we saw some church, the name of which I do not remember.
After that, we returned to the hostel and rested for a moment. Then Elle joined Alex and I for tapas. Afterwards we went to the port and the beach. Before going to bed, we got gelato. Some guys in the street sang to us, thought they weren't professionals. People stared a lot at me and Elle's pale skin; I guess our whiteness is surprising to some people. But some of them definitely like it.
We got there about 2.30ish with no real idea where our hostel was. Four of the other exchangers in Pamplona arrived early Friday morning so they knew where the hostel was, but all of them are terrible with directions. So they weren't very helpful when we called.
Alex and I picked a direction to go and off we went. We stopped for second to look at map again. Then a guy, in an American accent, asked if we needed any help. Who doesn't love free help? He looked at the map we had, and then said this "Can you guys hold on a second? I have to go get some tofu?"
I have never been asked to wait while someone gets tofu. I thought it was a strange request, but since he offered to help us find our hostel, we of course waited.He showed us a neighbor most tourists don't see and found our hostel for us.
We checked in, dropped our stuff off, and then left to see some of the city. The weather in Barcelona was so much nicer than in Pamplona. we left behind our winter coats and gloves for light jackets. It was so nice to leave behind winter, even if only for a few days.
That evening we tried to find the Picasso museum, which wasn't easy. We eventually found it and the extremely long line waiting to get in it. Turns out the museum is free on Sundays. Alex and I easily decided to skip it. I mean, who thinks of Picasso when they think of Barcelona? It wasn't a great loss. Instead, we continued on our walk through the city. We stumbled upon a little market, where I bought a new wallet. Then we saw some church, the name of which I do not remember.
After that, we returned to the hostel and rested for a moment. Then Elle joined Alex and I for tapas. Afterwards we went to the port and the beach. Before going to bed, we got gelato. Some guys in the street sang to us, thought they weren't professionals. People stared a lot at me and Elle's pale skin; I guess our whiteness is surprising to some people. But some of them definitely like it.
Before Barcelona
I planned a trip with the other exchangers this puente for Barcelona. My bus ticket was for Sunday morning, but Saturday I still wasn't sure if I was going. Rotary didn't get the letter from my parents giving Rotary their permission for me to go. Even though my mom sent it express mail. Yadda yadda yadda by that afternoon it was certain that I was going to Barcelona. So Saturday I packed for Barcelona.
That afternoon Enrique asked me if I wanted to go to the Osasuna Barcelona game that night with his friends. Of course I wanted to go.
It was loss for Osasuna, but that's no surprise. I got to see Lionel Messi play, along with some World Cup winners. I can't believe it either.
That afternoon Enrique asked me if I wanted to go to the Osasuna Barcelona game that night with his friends. Of course I wanted to go.
It was loss for Osasuna, but that's no surprise. I got to see Lionel Messi play, along with some World Cup winners. I can't believe it either.
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