I get through each day with a cafe con leche (or three)... I walk more miles than a pedometer could count... I constantly speak in a language different from my own, and I actually love it... I have tried more food than I have in my vocabulary... and, I have been renamed as 'Rubia' by every Spaniard I meet (or simply walk by) because I am literally (no joke) the only blonde for every 200 Spaniards. So pretty much, I think its official... I am truly LIVING here, and I couldn't be happier.
It has been quite a while since I've updated everyone on what is going on, but let me tell you, it sure has been exciting! After last time, I mentioned that we were going to watch the Super Bowl at Midnight. We all went to the Travel Bar Port right in the harbor and met up with a bunch of friends from our program. It was such a blast, with everyone drinking beers, eating chicken wings and watching football... just like at home (except it was the middle of the night... weird)! We stayed at that bar until halftime of the game and then walked to the other side of the harbor to a place called The Green Room. It was really fun because the crowd at both places were literally split half and half for the Patriots and the Giants. Not to mention, it ended up being SUCH an amazing game! We stayed there until about 5 a.m. with everyone and then headed home, not excited for school in the morning.
Monday was very typical, minus the fact that we were so tired. Noelle and I went to this cute restaurant for lunch where the owner made us our own salad that wasn't even on the menu and it was to die for. We still made it to the gym and cooked dinner that night. We had big plans for Tuesday so we made it an early night and got up bright and early the next day for school. After class (the one we love) we went over to the GSE office to see Julia and Jordan and just hang out for a while. I can't even express how lucky we are to have them. We always compare programs with friends at school, and so many of them don't even talk to their advisers or don't like them. I hate to brag, but the three of them are legitimately everything we could ask for and more. We would be lost, and probably miserable, without them.
So after the office, I needed to go to the laundromat... but let me just say that it ended up taking me waaay longer than I had planned due to pure stupidity on my part. I'm not kidding when I say that I get lost EVERYWHERE in this city... even in my own neighborhood. I eventually got it done, and it felt sooo good to have clean (dried in a dryer) clothes. See, we have a washing machine at our apt, but everyone hang dries their clothes... and I don't mean to complain, but it really sucks. Not to mention, everything gets really stretched out, so paying for the laundromat (and the 3 hours I spent trying to find it) was well worth it.
I got home around 8 p.m. and Ashley and I had planned to meet up with friends in our program to go to Sitges (yes again) for Fat Tuesday or the last night of Carnaval. We went over to our friend's (Ben, Alex, Maureen & Chloe) apartment and hung out there until we had to leave for the train station. We had planned to catch the last train at 10:40 p.m. to Sitges. However, little did we know, or expect, that every person in all of Barcelona had that same idea. So we were running late (what's new?) and I made everyone run from the metro to the train stop. We passed huge groups of people, in costumes, going the same place we were, but walking slower. When we finally arrived at the train stop, there were people packed in like sardines, waiting for the train to arrive. I am not exaggerating when I say that the train pulled up RIGHT when we came down the escalator. We pushed our way through, ended up sitting on the ground, as those were the only open seats, and looked out the window to see the solemn faces of those 'huge groups' we passed on the way, (who were initially ahead of us) standing helpless as the last train left them behind. We were in awe that we had made it just in time and knew the rest of the night would be great.
Sitges was packed to the max when we arrived and once again, it was a mix of Halloween in Santa Barbara and Mardi Gras, but compared to our previous trip on Saturday, there were triple the peolple. We watched about an hour long parade that was incredible. It was definitely the best part of the night and so lively and entertaining. Filled with drag queens and blaring music, each float was intricately decorated in a different theme, and everyone seemed so happy to be in such a fun-loving atmosphere. The rest of the night was very similar to the first night we were there; complete with lots of dancing, costumes and drag queens. It turned out to be a really fun night, besides the fact that we had to wait until 5 to take the train back to Barcelona. Carnaval was overall such a great experience.
Wednesday was rough making it to class, but I went and tried my best to stay awake until 5:30. Noelle and I were craving guacamole after describing the recipe in Spanish class, so we went to the store, bought the necessary ingredients and made some delicious guacamole that hit the spot. Thursday we had class, and then the girls went with Julia to get their hair done. I took a pilates class at the gym and started packing for the weekend. I met up with them at the hair salon, along with a bunch of our other friends, and we all went to 'Champagneria' (yes, this again too) to enjoy some cheap champagne and tapas. It was amazing, as always, but so very crowded. It was so much fun and a nice weekly tradition that we have started. The bar is always jam packed and you literally hold your bottle, glass and tapa all while standing shoulder to shoulder with everyone. Definitely not the most comfortable or luxurious place, but the atmosphere and experience is unlike any other.
We got back that night and Alex and his German friends came over and played beer pong in our apartment (using Alex's closet door that he took off the hinges) and we all just hung out and got ready for our trip to San Sebastian the following day. We wanted to be a little sleep deprived for our 7 hour bus ride (with a stop in Pamplona), so we stayed up for as long as our bodies would allow, which was not long considering our champagne buzz was quickly wearing off.
Let me just preface my description of this weekend by say that I thought I had seen the most beautiful sights there was to see and that nothing could possibly outdo what I have already come across. With that said, our 5 hour bus ride to Pamplona was nothing special. There is literally nothing but counryside (which I guess is somewhat pretty) the whole way to Pamplona. Luckily, our bus was incredibly nice and new and we were able to watch movies and I had my own seat to sleep in. On our arrival in Pamplona, we were only spending a couple hours there, we were getting a guided tour of the famous city. What you may not know, because I sure didn't, is that Pamplona is the city famously known worldwide for the San Fermín festival, from July 6 to 14, in which the running of the bulls is one of the main attractions. This city was made famous by Ernest Heminway who traveled to Pamplona to write many of his greatest writings. We went into the cafe that he used to sit at, which is gorgeous and filled with pictures and statues of him when he was there. It was breathtaking and I didn't want to leave.
It was such a beautiful and culturally rich city. We went into a Cathedral that was unlike anything i have ever seen or dreamed of. I can't wait to show pictures of this unreal place. We saw the plaza where the Festival begins as well as the path that the bulls take in their trek from one end of the city to the other, finally ending in a bull fighting ring. We heard a bunch of great stories of people running with the bulls and what actually goes on during the festival. Turns out that the only requirements necessary to 'run with the bulls' are, that you need to be 18 or older, be in physically good shape and not be under the influence of anything. It sounds like one of those things that you would 'want to do before you die,' but as our tour guide proceeded to tell us story after story of people getting speared and dying in the act of running, the whole idea became less and less appealing.
We left for San Sebastian around 6 p.m. and arrived in San Sebastian around 7. It is the most stunningly beautiful place I have ever been to and I was in awe the second I stepped foot off the bus. It is one of the Northern-most parts of Spain and just miles away from France (you can even see French mountains from the beach). It is the most expensive place to live in Spain and it shows in the unmasked beauty of this strikingly unique beach town. San Sebastian is one of the most popular summer vacation destinations and known for its surreal ambiance and spa resorts (which luckily we were able to enjoy).
Once we got settled in, we all just hung out until our group dinner that night. Our whole group was on two floors of the hotel, so it was really fun just going from room to room and hanging out before we went out that night. Our group dinner was at a cider house that was just a ten minute walk from our hotel. Jordan told us that it was going to be quite a fun experience with delicious food. We arrived at the restaurant and immediately noticed the gigantic barrels in the wall that were filled with apple cider (alcoholic of course). We soon found out that you were allowed as much cider as you wanted, the challenging part was getting it in your cups. You had to go up to the large barrels (there were four, all different kinds) and one person turned the nozzle, and the cider came shooting out like a hose on full blast. You literally had to try and catch the cider in your cup and try not to get splashed (which was not likely) and then every time you needed a refill, you had to go through that whole process. It was so much fun and we were all having a blast. Unfortunately, the cider itself wasn't the most tasty thing I've ever had, but it was the experience right?
The food was absolutely delectable and they just kept bringing out course after course for us to eat. I actually ate rare rare RARE steak that Noelle had to cut up for me because I couldn't look at it. It was actually quite delicious. Jordan told me i would be crazy not to eat the meat because that is what they were known for, so I did it, and I loved it. Jordan, Julia and Paola were sooo much fun as always and we loved spending so much time with them. After dinner, a bunch of us tried to go out and were going to walk down to the port, but me and like seven other girls ended up just sitting on the balcony and talking all night.
We woke up bright and early on Saturday for our tour of the oh-so-amazing San Sebastian. The most incredible part was that Jordan said all EIGHT times he has been to San Sebastian, it has been raining. And guess what... the weather was ideal with clear skies, a slight breeze and about 65 degrees. We walked around and with our mouths wide open, in utter disbelief that we were in such a beautiful city. I suggest you look up pictures of San Sebastian so you can see somewhat of what i am talking about, because there are literally NO WORDS that would do it justice. We went to the top of this mountain (by bus, thank God) and looked out over the whole city, beach and Atlantic Ocean. To finish off the tour, we went to this cathedral that was absolutely out of this world and walked around the port. The port is where most of the shopping and restaurants are and everyone was out and about enjoying the perfect weather and beautiful city.
In San Sebastian, their tapas are known as "Pinxtos" and the way it works is all the bars literally lay out all of their tapas in a magnificent display on the counter and you grab a plate, grab what looks good and pay about 1 or 2 euro for each as well as a glass of wine or sangria (for me thanks). You only get a couple things and eat them there before moving on the another bar. Ok, I don't rave about food too much because, honestly, I'm not a huge fan of the food here, but the pinxtos were unbelievably scrumptios... haha. It was like tempura breaded peppers filled with crab meat and grilled mushrooms on a pice of baguette with garlic sauce... (I know your mouth is watering)... and all washed down with authentic Spanish sangria... ah. After eating, we all walked around the shops and walked along the beach before our day at the spa.
The four of us walked along the beach and could not get smiles off our faces. We all said that if we were to be anywhere in the world, that is where we would want to be. Doing exactly what we were doing at that very moment. We were given free access to this spa on the beach (thanks to our AMAZING advisers) called 'La Perla'. It was literally ON THE BEACH and consisted of 3 HUGE pools that were actually spas and all had different used. The spas massage your whole body and had different circuits for different areas. All the windows looked right out onto the beach and you could lie on heated lounge chairs that looked out onto the beach. We were in heaven. There was a steam room, sauna and ice bath too that we all had fun in and our group literally overtook the whole spa. It was amazing!!!!
After that, a lot of people went back to the hotel to nap, but the four of us (roomies) decided to go to the little cafe on the beach and get coffee and sandwiches as the sun set over the mountain. I can't express how content we all were at that moment. We finally walked back to the hotel and rested up before the night. We had planned on going to dinner and then out to bars and clubs with everyone and ended up all taking taxis to the port. We went from bar to bar and were so obsessed with how cute this city was. All our friends (about 25 or so of us) started walking to this club we had heard about called 'La Rotunda' that was situated under the boardwalk RIGHT on the beach. We got in and were practically the first ones there at 2:15 a.m.... crazy huh?
We had a lot of fun dancing at the club and it finally got really crowded. I wanted to stay the whole night and watch the sun rise on the beach, but other people wanted to go back to the hotel, so at about 5:30 we went home. We had to leave early the next morning to go back to Barcelona, so we woke up and left the most beautiful city we had ever been too. It was a sad day. The bus ride home was uncomfortable so we couldn't sleep, but we just talked to Jordan and Julia most of the time which is always entertaining.
We were soooo burnt out last night and are tired now after a long day of school. We had the most incredible weekend away and are so excited for all the things we have to come. I am so thankful that I have this unforgettable opportunity and that I am seeing things that have truly changed my outlook on life. I hope that everyone has the opportunity to feel as fulfilled and lucky as I do now. So until next time... Todo mi amor!
- Don't cry cause it's over, smile cause it happened
- Switzerland & more... BEST TIME EVER!!!
- :.:Schnitzel and Streudel:.:
- Valencia, kind of like a home away from home...
- Eat ~ Pray ~ Love
If I don't get into shape soon I may have to give that up too.
Anyway Punkin, I am happy and grateful that you are, not only having the "BEST TIME EVAH",but also it seems that you are really appreciating loving all the beauty, diversity and experiences that this world has to offer you. I hope that this stays with you always....it is the greatest gift I could ever give you.
Remember that we all love you here, and that you will always be one of the two lights of my life.
Dad.