Anyway we got to Spain safely, but all the ATMs were broken so we couldn't get euros, so we had to get all our money together for bus tickets into Barcelona. The bus ride took about an hour to an hour and a half or so and by the time we got to the bus station it was almost midnight. We ran to the subway (the metro) and luckily there was an American girl who could see we desperately needed a little help who told us where to go. We got to our hostel at about 1 or so and pretty much crashed.
Thursday we woke up and ate breakfast and immediately went outside. We were stayin right on the beach, so we walked on the beach for a bit enjoying the warmth and sunlight before we headed elsewhere. We went to see La Sagrada Familia.
Absolutely amazing! We went inside and took the lift up to the top which afforded us with spectacular views of the city.
After La Sagrada Familia, we went to see on of my favorite buildings Casa Mila!
We didn't go inside, but I think it is gorgeous and I think Gaudi is a genious. I almost bought a book about his works, but decided not to, because let's face it, I had already spent quite a bit of money just getting there.
We then headed to Casa Batllo, which was superb as well, especially because we got there right as the sun began to set, so they turned on the lights and it looked like it was made of gold or something.
After that we headed back to our hostel to wash up and get some dinner. We ate at a pretty nice restaurant near our hostel, and it wasn't too expensive. I had pasta, as usual, but also had my first bite of seafood. Ive always hated seafood, mostly because of the smell and the whole texture thing, but I decided I'd give it a try. We had garlic shrimp, and honestly it wasn't horrible, but it wasn't great either. I much prefer my chicken. We hung out on the beach for a while that night and met some kids from Germany who everyone wanted me to talk to in German, but we all know I'm not very good.
Friday:
On Friday we decided to walk around Barcelona a bit. We walked down La Rambla looking for some Gaudi building, which I wasn't ever aware thata we were looking for. But in the morning we saw the market, which now I cant remember the name of, and that was pretty cool. There was so much for sale, lots of meats, fish, sweets, and such. I got a chocolate croissant that was to die for. Later in the day we hit the end of La Rambla and the Christopher Colombus statue, where I took a few minutes to be by myself looking at the water. My friend Tony, who had just arrived showed up at that point and we all went to grab lunch. Whats funny is that a lot of the kids from orientation were in Barcelona at the same time, which my group had not planned intentionally. But we really didn't see many of them except for Tony.
After lunch we decided to go to Montjuic. We took a tram form the metro to the base of the hill and then got in a lift type things which took us all the way up to the fortress. Once again, amazing views.
The fortress was pretty cool with lots of greenery where a moat must have been.
(p.s. sorry for the poor organization of photos)
We spent the rest of the afternoon there, and by there I mean at the fortress and in places around it like a pretty garden we found. We decided to walk back to our hostel even though it was kind of far. Once we go back we were pretty exhausted. We once again went to get some dinner, pasta again, what can I say I like my different kinds of pasta! And then went out in search of something to do. We found one bar/pub, which was an Irish bar and just relaxed and talked for a bit. Mostly about what to do the next day. . . which brings us to:
Saturday:
We went to the Picasso Museum, which was really cool and actually not that expensive. Thank the lord for student prices, but on the way we got side-tracked by a chocolate shop, so we all bought a few things to enjoy later. . .I avoided buying chocolate, so I just bought some chocolate related goodies. However the owner let us sample some stuff because this one man was buying a ton and so the owner would cut off a piece for him to try and would give us the rest.
Once we got to the Picasso Museum we had a little trouble. The woman at the door kept telling me I had food in my bag and that I needed to check it. I kept saying " I dont have food. I can't eat what I have in my bag". Alas we just piled our stuff into one bag that had food in it and checked the bag.
The museum was really cool. Picasso went through so many stages in his work and it was definitely an experience to see all those stages and his progression.
After we went to eat at La Rosa Negra, recommended by my friend Helen. It was delicious Mexican food.
Yummy burrito.
We then decided to go to Parc Guell. It was a long journey up that hill. . . the escalators were a life saver at times, but Parc Guell was intensely amazing. I love mosaics. We wandered about in the hills for awhile since there were a few other things there before we headed back down.
We decided to have a nice dinner that night since it was our last night. We went to a really kind of exclusive place. We got a table and I had an amazing salad. It had chicken and pine nuts and pineapple, which I usually don't like, but it was really satisfying. We then got some Gelato which I had never had before surprisingly enough.
Okay I'll post this much now and continue later as I have to go to swim practice. So be on the look out for a continuation which will most likely just occur at the bottom of the present entry.
Okay back from swimming and now its time to finish up my Barcelona trip and move onto other things.
Sunday:
Sunday was a lazy day. We sat out on the beach for a while and then attempted to go shopping, forgetting that most of the shops would be closed. I kept seeing cool things that I wanted but told myself that I must resist the urge. We ended up by the Cathedral and saw the orchestra play and people dancing. I thought about joining in and then decided against it. I'm not much of a dancer and didnt want to disturb their flow. . .
Apparently God loves them and has therefore chosen to shine his rays of light upon them.
We then went to a plaza filled with pigeons. I have no idea what the Spaniards call it, if they call it anything. But we hung out there for a bit, watching a mime speak (yea she wasnt very good) and kids chasing pigeons, including one boy who was trying to kick them. . .there's always that one kid. . .
We then headed back to the beach. I was craving tapas but we didnt end up getting any before we left. But we did get gelato one last time.
And wait, I can't end my Spain adventures without at least one picture of the beach. . .
*sigh* How I miss you so. . .
As the sun set we headed to the bus station to catch our flight. I was exhausted and fell asleep on the bus, but sadly was unable to fall asleep on the plane. We got back to London shortly after 11 p.m. and the same driver picked us up and took us home, he was very nice to us. unfortunately the weather was not. Way colder than Spain and has been drastically colder than before we left since we got back. . .it's like Mr. Weather guy is punishing us. . . Anyway back on track, so I got back to my room, washed my face, unpacked some of my stuff and slept. Class on Monday, which happens to be my full day was not fun, but I made it through.
However, I did not attend the party I was supposed to for the radio station or go to swimming. Oh well!
So Wednesday, this past Wednesday, I went to London for the day, to see Wicked for my friend Cassandra's birthday. It was amazing and we had pretty much some of the best seats in the theatre and only paid 25 pounds instead of 60. I loved Wicked and I highly recommend it. I wish it played in SF. . .
After that we hopped on the tube and grabbed some dinner in Covent Garden and headed to see the Lion King, which we saw for free! Yes free! I enjoyed Lion King as well, just not as much as Wicked. I think I would have enjoyed Lion King much more had I been on the ground floor and not on the balcony since it is very interactive. So once again I got home late, ate some cheap noodles because dinner was very small and slept. . . Oh sleep how I love thee.
Friday I went into London again because my friend Scott from Berkeley who is studying in Paris was visiting. Sarah came along to meet up with some of her friends and we just did touristy things which was fun. I went to the National Gallery again, which is one of my favorite places in London and walked along Southbank with all of the street statue people. I got back to Egham with a little time to spare before Cassandra's birthday dinner which happened to be at the same restaurant as where we ate with our director. I ordered a burger because I was craving meat, but it came without a bun!! Umm. . .do I look like I'm on Atkins! I'd like some carbs with my burger. But it was actually quite good. We had a little chocolate cake to celebrate and then walked home. It was freezing. I looked it up once I was back and it was 1 degree celsius, but felt like -2, which is like 27 degrees. . brrr. . .
What's sad is that I really have no idea what the numbers mean in Celsius but I use them to compare the days. So therefore, I will probably have to try to not write in celsius on here. At least my phone has a convertor.
Okay I know this has been a very long blog, and thank you to those who have stuck with me, I promise your pain is almost over.
Last night aka Saturday:
We had a Thanksgiving dinner in London at the Bonnington Hotel. I brought Robyn and Cass along as my guests. I got to see my good friend Nicole which made me very happy. Our director bought each table a bottle of white and red wine and the eating commenced. We had turkey with gravy and cranberries, as well as roasted potatoes (we all missed our mashed potatoes) and funny looking stuffing. It was like a miniature ball that was served with the turkey and a sausage (okay. . .a sausage. . .seriously?!) so we all assumed it was meat, but no it was indeed stuffing. It wasnt bad but we had all been looking forward to stuffing.
Therefore. . .sidenote: mom please make stuffing with Christmas dinner. I crave the good stuff in my veins!
Back to the story at hand, we were also given carrots and brussel sprouts. It was a good meal overall. Beforehand we even went around our table and said what we were thankful for, but we all missed the family environment of Thanksgiving- the ability to ask for seconds, the ability to pass the food all around the table and take as little or as much as we wanted, etc, etc, etc.
For dessert we were served pumpkin pie, a little more runny than usual, with less crust as well, with a mango sauce. Okay I think I was the only one who avoided the mango sauce, but Im sorry I like my pumpkin pumpkin-y. Later we got coffee or tea.
It was a very satisfying meal, but was definitely British influenced.
After dinner, we danced for a bit and then headed home on the last train of the night, which was a very interesting ride in itself.
Sorry I dont have Thanksgiving photos. I have not put them on my computer yet.
The term is starting to wind down. I seriously feel like it just started. And I am avoiding writing more papers.
Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Eat lots of stuffing for me!!
