A Busy Few Days

It´s been a few crazy days! We are always on the go! After class we try to head somewhere new and explore, planning what days we want to go to the bigger places and other cities. Our group of four has almost become inseperable and we even have many classes together. Right now I have Spanish everyday from 9:30 to 11:00. On January 26, we will have it on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:00 to 11:00. Not exactly looking forward to having it two hours. I placed into a harder class, which I wasn´t planning on, and it´s a little difficult. I also have a night class at ESCI, their local business school. So what have I been up to besides class?

On Saturday we took a trip up to Park Guell. It is beautiful, and so peaceful (besides the hundreds of visitors each day). Park Guell was created by Gaudi, and was orignally supposed to be a small garden city of houses for the wealthy. However in 1914 (started in 1900), the idea was abandoned. The city later bought it for use as a public park. The gardens and architecture are amazing, and very different from the city. From the top you can see most of the city and the ocean, it is just a tranquil and beautiful place to be. Pictures will be coming!
We got some lunch in Las Ramblas, just off of Placa Catalunya. Las Ramblas is a very popular boulevard in not only Barcelona, but in Spain as well. Flower stands, markets, historic building, many restaurants and shops. Later that night we went to the Dow Jones Bar. A little American and very touristy. It was neat though, every few minutes the prices would change. If a lot of people were buying a beer or drink the prices went up, however if the stock market crashed you had about a minute to buy drinks at a very low price. Then we walked along the port and put our feet in the Meditteranean, it was freezing!

On Sunday I took a walk around my area by myself. I live in an alley just off of one of the main streets, Av Diagonal. I saw so many runners and cute old couples walking. There is such a great path. Many shops and people busling around. I used a little Spanish and stuck up a conversation with a lady and her mother, trying to figure out where I was going. It was interesting...
That night for dinner, Eli´s brother, Tony, and his daughter, Nora, came over. Nora is ADORABLE! She is two and loves cheetos! She is taking small classes to learn English, French, and Tai Kwan Doe...pretty amazing!

After class on Monday, we had a guided tour of the Barri Gotic, which is considered the old Barcelona. We learned a lot of history and some very interesting facts. I won´t bore you with a history lesson, but I will tell you my favorite bit, Dia de Sant Jordi. On April 23, Catalonia celebrates the feast of its patron sain, St George. It is also the Dia del Llibre (Day of the Book), men give women a rose, or a few roses, and women give men a book. Over 2 million books are sold each year on this day. Catalonia does not believe or celebrate Valentine´s Day, this is basically what they do instead.
Later, Rachel and I went to the beach. We actually walked out into the water, got soaking wet and frozen, but it was fun. We spent the rest of the day just walking and exploring, until I had class at 8:00 PM. Thank goodness for the walking, or the frequent aceinte (oil) and pan (bread) would start to sneak up on me!

Yesterday, we went to the Mercat de la Boqueria, a market full of fruits, vegetables, candy, nuts, anything you can think off, off of Las Ramblas. It has a Modernista design and took over 70 years to build (From 1840 to 1914). We went back to the port and walked around. The sun has been out lately and it´s been wonderful! We still have to wear jackets, but we want to be outside. Unlike the case in Minnesota. I´m sorry for all of the snow and cold, but I´m so glad to be here at this time! Last night, us four girls went out to a small pub and spent the night talking. It was great! We ended up taking a cab together, even though we all live in opposite directions, but we had fun trying to explain to the driver where to go. Of course, most cab drivers do not speak English!

A few things I learned this week...

1. I discovered the bus, and LOVE it! It probably takes about 10 minutes longer than the metro, I have about a 30 minutes commute to class, but it´s great. You can watch people on the street or read your Lonely Planet travel book on Barcelona (which I tend to do) and look like a total tourist!
2. Many things do not translate the same from English to Spanish. For example in a restaurant, it is common for Americans to say ¨Can I have...¨ However, in Spanish you would never say ¨Puedo tener (Can I have)...¨ Instead you would say, ¨Puedo comer (Can I eat)...¨ Very useful!
3. I live in an alley with five strip clubs! I know my mom is going to freak out when she reads this, but calm down. It is really a great neighborhood and I live right off of the main road, but I just find this pretty hilarious. Eli says we are very safe and not to worry.
4. While on my bus ride, I was surprised to see a number of casinos. There are also a bunch of little booths on sidewalks all over town that sell scratch offs.

Pictures are coming! They´re all on my computer and I do not have wireless internet at this time! But they are coming, I promise!
Thanks for the emails, sorry if I do not respond as soon, I´m just so busy (which I love!) Survive the cold and snow! Miss you all (Specially you Mom ;) )!! Lots of love! Xoxo!