A bus. New besties. And Granada.

Yesterday (at the CRACK OF DAWN) we left beautiful Barcelona for Andalucia, or the south of Spain. The bus ride wasn't so bad, except for the what-seemed-like millions of stops...apparently it's some national law that drivers can't drive over a certain amount of time. This led to many awkward Spanish rest stop discoveries...and to the forging of new friendships...we welcome to the group, Shannon! She's a year-long BCA Barca student and our new favorite person.
So as we're driving to Granada, amidst the hysterical laughter at the results of the "movie game" or me and Macie's rousing chorus of "I'll Make Love to You", we look out the window...and it's basically a blizzard. Good way to start off Granada.
Luckily, it wasn't that cold today, as we got up early to visit the neighborhood that is situated around the famous Alhambra. It's called the Albaicín, and it is one of the most beautiful places I've seen yet...

The entire area was made up of these lovely white-washed houses with wrought iron balconies and flowerpots full of geraniums. We wandered the twisty calles (streets) with our art history professor, Gustavo, mentioned in an earlier post...Shannon has brought to our attention that the man not only looks like a Castro, but could also potentially be Tevye from Fiddler.

This is Gustavo either explaining Arab-influenced art...or asking God why he's not a biddy-biddy rich...

So we finally got our first glimpses of the Alhambra...this beautiful palace that shows off the Arab-influence that existed in Granada. We were able to see it from the Albaicín, surrounded by the mountains that envelop the city of Granada.

Morning haze over the Alhambra.

So after a lovely lunch of manchego bocadillos and café con leche, we got a tour of the Alhambra. The architecture was gorgeous, and the grounds of the palace afforded the most INCREDIBLE views of Granada. Here's a few shots from the tour...

The reflection is amazing...

Granada is GORGEOUS

Me, Shannon and Amanda enjoying one of the gardens.

So after getting lost with Shannon after our tour (oops) and a little rest at the hotel...Macie, Amanda, Shannon, Alana, Sonia and I left for dinner at a restaurant called RAFA. I was in love. With a couple of pitchers of sangria, we laughed our way through dinner, and are now all thoroughly exhausted and ready to sleep on the bus tomorrow when we drive to Sevilla!
Hasta luego, and l'chaim!

The shrimp have eyes...

Saturday in Barcelona...

Woke up at 10:30. Glorious, after waking up at 7am every day this week.
Caught up with Top Chef (RICHARD <3) and The Office (H&M4EVR).
THEN. I got to experience a real Spanish "comida" or lunch. Lunch is the biggest meal of the day here, and when I sat down, after a light salad, my host mom Mercedes brought to the table a true Spanish specialty....PAELLA. I was so excited because I've never tried it before! It was SO beautiful, and the seafood was fresh and gorgeous. I would have taken a before shot, but I was so excited to eat, that we just dug right in...clearly we enjoyed it.

Fresh Mussels, Clams, and Shrimp (there was calimari too...yum)

After that, I met up with Alana, and we walked around for awhile before meeting up with Macie near the University for a cup of tea and a pastry at our favorite café (so Euro) :]
Leaving for Andalucia in the morning, Granada first...hopefully it stops snowing soon, we're leaving behind a lot of sun in Barca!

View from the balcony of my piso...that's the Mediterranean in the background :] 

el arte de españa

Today was our last day of classes! Next week we're in the south of Spain, learning about architecture and art.
But since we only had morning classes, Mace, Amanda, Katie, and I hung around the university to get a little lunch and do a little shopping. Now the title of this post refers of course to our upcoming trip to Granada, Sevilla, and Cordoba...but it also refers to the Spanish art that I purchased this afternoon...

amor en españa

So after purchasing the most lovely little shoes in the world, we got lunch...and then ran into a vintage car show going on outside the Catedral de Barcelona, a beautiful gothic-era work of art.

look at the cute minis

Out dancing tonight with the girls––in my new shoes :]

Cuba or bust...

Metro with my metro bud.
School.
Metro with my metro bud.
Nap.
Metro with my metro bud.
Café con leche with my metro bud.
School.
Profe Gustavo. (I'm coming back to this)
Metro with my metro bud. (Alana, we're going to be experts on each other after this semester)

Gustavo Vega is my art history professor here in Barca. Turns out, he's kind of a big deal...check out his website... www.gustavovega.com
Today, after holding us in class for ten extra minutes, he had us watch a video of himself exhibiting some of his art. It was the most entertaining thing to watch him sit there with this combo embarrassed/smirky look on his face. I have thus far failed to find his little video online, but I won't give up.
It has been confirmed though, by the majority of the BCA Barcelona Spring 2011 group...the man is probably in some way related to the Castros. And if he's not, he could be making a lot of money on Las Ramblas pretending to be.

Metro Buddies

Today was just another day at school. I find I have less to write about during the week, unless the girls and I take a little excursion...more next week for sure when I'm in the south of Spain.
For now, the best news I have is that I found decent tea in a land of coffee...thanks to Kristina, Amanda, and Alana for introducing us to that little cafe with the to-go cups and the English Breakfast tea. :]
No more updates for now, except that Robert Dvorscak's mustache has grown to epic proportions. Just in time for rush.

Essence of class and sophistication.

Catalan word: bigoti. Significa...mustache :]
See you tomorrow, Alana, my favorite metro buddy...bright and early.

Enrique induced fiesta de bailar...

Today was another school day. Early early early. Thanks, DePauw, for getting me used to 10:00AMs.
Today, after class, Mace and I skyped for a bit (Qué pasa, Roberto?) and then went shopping. All the stores here in Barca are having HUGE sales at the moment. So when you have from 11:00AM to 6:30PM free, how can you not shop? :]
Well, it wouldn't be an afternoon out with Pria and Macie if there weren't a spontaneous dance party...so how about wearing the same outfit in a fitting room to "I Like It" by Enrique Iglesias. Spain loves us.
Andalucia on Sunday.
Catalan word phrase of the day..."festa de ball"–––'dance party' :]

Cambiar en Espanya

Back to school again. EARLY. Muy muy temprano.
Dislike.
This week's schedule is really out of control. We have early class, and then a four hour lunch break, followed by meetings, and then another class. Essentially go go go from 7:30AM to 7:30PM. Needless to say, I'm exhausted.
However, by far, my favorite part of the day is lunchtime, when we all break out our homemade lunches consisting of a bocadillo (sandwich), manzana (apple), and galletas (cookies). YUM. Today, my bocadillo was on a baguette (like 9 inches...) with olive oil, tomato, lettuce, and big thick slicles of delicious machego cheese. I love Spain.
Started our new class today--an art history class taught by a man who may or may not be related to Fidel Castro. Seriously, twins. 
Catalan word of the day...la universitat..."the university". (also the metro stop where our school is)

Señor Gaudi, me encanta sus obras...

Today was fabulous. :] (Well, duh, let's be real, I'm in Barcelona)

Alana and I met Macie, Kristina, and Amanda at the metro, and we began a long trek up Montaña del Carmel. The hills were steep, but were worth every painful step when we were able to take in the amazing view we found on top...

Yeah, I live here...

As we kept walking, we kept taking more and more pictures...there's just so much to see, and the beauty is hardly able to be caught through the lens of a camera. The walk from Parc del Carmel to Parc Güell was one of the most beautiful that I've had since arriving in this lovely city-- (Amins and Langfords...can't wait to bring you here!)
Once we found Parc Güell, we were all completely taken aback by all the work that must have gone into setting all of those incredibly detailed mosaics.
My new friends (and old) and I had so much fun exploring the park. The architecture is simply astounding, and we had so much fun exploring all the nooks and crannies of the park...

amigas <3

All the mosaic work is what you think of when you think 'Barcelona, Spain'. We saw a little of Gaudi's work last night as Mace, Amanda, Alana and I wandered through Gracía. I really can't get enough of how detailed his work is.

With a view of the city...

I can't wait to see more of his work around the city. :]
My friends and I have seen a lot of the major landmarks around Barca...Las Ramblas, Parc Güell, La Sagrada Familia, La Boqueria, Port of Barcelona...we want to see some of the famous Spanish art now! Equipped with my copy of Rick Steves, I'll keep you posted on all that we see!

Love from Barca

Sagrada Familia y Extraño a mi familia...

Today I went to see La Sagrada familia. It is perhaps of the most amazing feats of architecture I've ever seen. It's right up there with the Trevi Fountain, and the Parthenon. The amount of detail that is in the building is incredible. Unfortunately, every tourist in Barcelona got the news that on Saturdays during the month of January, the Sagrada Familia is free (waiving the 12 euro entry fee). So when Belky, Alana, and I got off the metro, we were met with about 700 people wrapping around blocks and blocks in one of the longest lines I've ever seen. That being said, we didn't actually go into the building, but I'm sure I will before I leave Barcelona.
After that, we met up with Macie, Kristina, and beautiful Amanda who's here for the weekend visiting from Segovia. We toured La Bouqueria, Las Ramblas, and the Port of Barcelona. And after a cappuccino, I returned back to my homestay for a little rest.
Around this time when I study abroad or travel without my family, I get homesick. It's hitting me pretty hard at the moment, and it's difficult knowing how long it will be 'till I see my family... (52 days Amins and Langfords). Hopefully this feeling goes away...it's really only affecting me when I'm alone at my homestay.
Until then, I will continue to enjoy this beautiful city, and keep sending all my love home to my family and friends in Dallas, Minneapolis, Indiana, DC, Hawaii, and India. Los amo a todos. <3

Pretty cool, huh?

My hermana y yo estamos disfrutando un cappuccino.

Mariscos y Verduras

Today was fabulous!

Macie and I, after school, went on a little shopping spree...oh Europe, you never cease to coerce women into spending money.
Then, after a yummy lunch of pasta, Macie and I went to La Boqueria. This was one of the places in Barca that I wanted to see the most. The market was everything that I hoped it would be, and more than I saw on any culinary show profiling it. The seafood was incredible, more than half of it was still moving. The meat cases were filled with pollo, jamon, y conejos with organs intact. The vegetables and fruits were fresh and beautiful. I'm going to have to go back...definitely didn't get enough of it today!

In my home stay now, loving it. Will elaborate later!
Sagrada mañana! 

You know you're in Spain when there are HUGE slabs of pork everywhere.

Amor y Barcelona

Today was a relatively quiet day here in Barcelona...
Got up, and left for school. We had early class today at the historic filólogia building at the downtown University of Barcelona campus. This building is one of the most beautiful that I've seen yet...as I continue to go for classes, I'll make sure to take some pictures. We walked in the building through these huge wooden doors and through this perfect little courtyard with trees filled with oranges, and a little goldfish pond in the center. The architecture of the buildings here is outstanding, and everywhere you look, there's another gorgeous building to look at. After a meeting following class, we came back to the hotel, and I've been here since, trying to recover from the hectic week and all the walking that I do now.
One exciting piece of news is that I found out where I will be living (starting tomorrow) until the end of the semester! I'll post more details after I meet la señora that I will be living with...I can't wait to get to know her!

Estoy rambleando por la calle durante una día perfecta en España.

Metro-día

So today was a busy, fun, tiring, hectic day.
I woke up early, and eventually left for the commute to school. From the hotel, it takes about 30 minutes on the metro to get to the downtown campus of the University of Barcelona. Our stop is called Maria Christina, and is about a ten minute talk from the hotel. From there we take the green line to Espanya, where we switch to the red line, and take that to Placa Universitat. It's a pretty easy commute, and now that we all understand how the metro system works, commuting is a breeze. We'll just have to figure out which stations are closest to our host families homes--we'll find this information out tomorrow evening! I can't wait!

So after spending a little time at school for a couple meetings with the BCA directors, Macie and I decided that we were going to stay downtown till out evening classes started. We took the train back to Las Ramblas, the street we visited last night, and got a delicious lunch at a pita-restaurant, making us feel like we were back on the streets of Athens all over again. We pulled out our cameras after that, and began walking around the area near Las Ramblas, and we found ourselves at the Port of Barcelona, surrounded by all the beautiful boats that make up the Barcelona Yacht Club. The mix of the sea breeze and the beautiful views of some of the city's architecture made for a perfect afternoon of picture taking and sight seeing.

One of the things that I have come to realize about this city is, like Athens, it is an incredible blend of the old and new. Contemporary buildings house art painted decades ago. I snapped a picture as we were walking back to the metro--I'll attach it. I love how the sculpture stands right next to the old tower in a perfect blend of past and present. The whole city is like this, and it's really neat to see.

After afternoon tea at a cafe in Placa Universitat, we had class, and came back to the hotel for a quiet night of homework and relaxation. We are slowly getting used to the bustle of rush-hour metro traffic, but it's pretty exhausting!
More tomorrow...

Vamos! Rambleamos!

Okay, so I've been here...less than 48 hours, but I am falling head over heels in love with this city.
This morning I wandered around the streets around the hotel with some of the new girls that I've met. The teeny little streets are so beautiful, and all the residential buildings have perfect little wrought iron balconies decorated with plants.
After that, we let for a tour of the two campuses of the University of Barcelona. I learned something important today, too: how to use the metro system. Turns out it's a pretty easy system...similar to the system in Paris and the one in Athens. I think that I'll be using it a lot while I'm here!
We also had our first day of class--one conversation class, and one grammar class. My conversation professor is adorable. More info on her as classes continue. The grammar professor was a little difficult to understand--he had a very heavy accent. The pronunciation of words is so different there that it's taking me a while to adjust to listening to new sounds.
Then after dinner, Macie, Kristina, Amanda, and Ashley and I set out to Las Ramblas, arguably the most famous street in Barca. It was very touristy, but I can imagine it being a fun place to people watch during the day. :] This street also refers to the title of this post...the verb 'ramblear' (coined by the people of Barcelona) means to walk around without a purpose...just for fun, as many local people do up and down Las Ramblas after a day at the office.
So my grammar professor taught us a new word today...which will be my Catalan word of the day...  "tiquismiquis" means 'picky'. Like, as in, are you a picky eater? I think it's hilarious, and it rolls right off the tongue. :]
I still can't believe I get to experience this amazing city for the next 4 months...so surreal!

Aquí!

Hola!

After months and months of anticipation, paperwork, and a trip to Chicago to apply for a visa, I am FINALLY here! It seems surreal that I won't actually be leaving here for the next four months...especially as I sit here typing this in my cramped European hotel room. We will be in a hotel for the rest of the week, so maybe the reality will start to sink in after I meet my host family on Friday (which I can't wait for)!
I haven't seen much of the city yet--we were picked up from the airport and brought directly to the hotel. Macie and I wandered for a couple of blocks this afternoon looking for un banco, but the jet lag is hitting us hard. Hopefully with a bit of rest, we'll be able to quickly adjust to this jump forward in time.
One of the neat things about Barcelona is the language that is spoken in this region of Spain. In Catalonia, people speak Catalan. I heard it spoken for the first time during the safety video  on the plane last night, and it really is a beautiful language. I want to try to understand the jist of it while I'm here too, so here is my Catalan word of the day...
"emocionat"  It means 'excited'  :]
Tomorrow we'll get to see the one of the campuses of the University of Barcelona where our classes will be taking place. I can't wait to explore more of this city--it's so sprawling, I'm glad I have the whole semester to learn all about it (though it feels like you would need a lot longer than that).