Barcelona: The First Days

So I made it to Barcelona! I feel like this is the first minute I´ve had to breathe since I got here -- this city is beautiful and there is sooo much to do/see that we´ve been reluctant to stop and relax in fear of missing out! However, since the internet at my apartment isn´t very reliable I decided to take a break at the ISA office and update mis amigos! (Por favor, excuse any typos, it´s going to take me a long time to get used to these Catalan keyboards!)

I´m settled into my room at Rafaela´s apartment now - Lauren and I share a decently sized room and a bathroom. She is very helpful with trying to learn the culture, language and our way around the city and she is great about allowing us to be independent. Her dinners are delicious, and she packs us breakfast and lunch for before and after class.


Classes started yesterday; I´m taking Spanish language and culture, so far my teacher seems really cool and I´m actually very excited to learn more! (I´m a dork, I know.)

Monday we took a bus tour of the city which was great because our guide pointed out all the best spots to visit - now I just have to figure out how to get there on my own...

After class yesterday we went to the beach. There are a lot of different beaches in Barcelona but we went to the most touristy one due to proximity and lack of time. The beach is definitely A LOT different here than in Nueva Jersey- imagine the older locals sitting on 10th ave in Belmar without bathing suits(or anything else), man made ¨sand,¨Spaniards constantly asking you to buy ¨cold cerveza, coca cola y aguaaaa¨ and multiple Chinese women begging to give you a massage in exchange for 5 euros. Needless to say, I´ll be going back there for the restaurant and bars along the water but I think I´ll explore the other, less tourist-y and more beautiful beaches from now on! ;)


Don´t get me wrong, I am definitely NOT wishing my trip away but I can not wait until I get more familiar with the city so I can appreciate the beauty and culture with more ease. There is so much to do and so much to see, ergo, I am going to say Adios now! I miss you all in the US and I hope you´re all cheering for Spain in the world cup!! (watching the games here is awwwessommmee!!!)

Ciao! XOXO

Dear Pop

We left Toledo and are on our way to Barcelona today ... I can't wait to meet my señora, Rafaela. My mom is excited that I am staying with her because she is just around the age that my Mommom would be today ... I hope she's half as sweet.

If I could, today would be the day I would buy a postcard and send it to Pop. On past vacations we would buy a postcard from wherever we were visiting, usually Disney but rarely somewhere like the Bahamas or California, and write about our favorite parts of the trip to share with him. I think today, leaving Toledo, I want to share my adventures with him:

Dear Pop,
Toledo is such a beautiful city! There is so much history and culture here, I really learned a lot. The streets are really cool looking, although they are pretty hard to walk/drive on because of the old cobblestone. We went to a church, a synagogue and a monastery and then we had time to walk around the city to shop and eat lunch! There is SO much coca-cola paraphernalia here - I think of you every time I see that red sign! I guess Spaniards like Coke just as much as you. I’ve taken lots of pictures I know you would love!
I love you and I miss you,
Marg

If Heaven had a mailing address, this post card would be sent out already. Maybe I’ll buy one anyway...

"Santos, Cantos, Cuestas, Sabios y Encantos"

These five words (Saints, Pebbles, Hills, Wisdom and Beauty) are the words associated with the description of the city of Toledo. Immediately, I fell in love.


Simply driving up to the city was amazing: the landscape is breathtaking and the old buildings are awe-inspiring. When we arrived (it was about an hour drive from Madrid) we took a walking tour through the city. Our guide was very helpful, and muy comico, his name was Fernando. He took us first to a monastery - the detailing throughout the granite and limestone architecture was absolutely amazing. Next we visited a synagogue converted to a museum where I learned a lot about the history of Spain in regards to the Muslims, Jews, and Christians that inhabited the country for so long. Lastly we visted La Casa Del Greco - an iglesia (church) decorated in El Greco's works which was captivating.

After our tour we had free time to shop and eat. We chose an outdoor cafe (the weather was beautiful, as usual) where we could order a 3 course meal for 10 euros. I was very impressed with how well I communicated with the waitress - no one else could understand her and she did not speak a word of English but I managed to be the lunch time liaison quite sufficiently :) I decided to be risky and order Gazpacho, which to my surprise I really liked!, and Paella. The infamous paella I decided I needed to try at least once while in Spain .. it was okay, I wish I could have ordered it without fish because although I was hoping my taste would mature and adapt to the pescado (fish) de Espana, it hasn't yet.

I loved just walking around the city after lunch - the streets are all cobblestone and the buildings are all very, very old. The main cathedral is GIANT and really a beautiful sight...I think there was a wedding there today and I tried to hang around to see the bride, but no luck :( For the first time since I arrived in Europe I actually feel like I am in a foreign country in Toledo.

We checked into our hotel around 4 and it's really nice! Right away Lauren and I took advantage of the gorgeous outdoor pool. I wish we had more time here because I am absolutely in love with Toledo...I can only hope Barcelona is as beautiful!

Gonna go watch the USA match now - I hope we don't get too many dirty looks as boisterous Americans ...


Ciao!

PS- 7 hour bus ride to Barcelona tomorrow....email/bbm me to keep me busy!

El Prado y Reina Sofia

Today we visited two museums muy famosa: El Prado y Reina Sofia. The first being filled with classical art (El Grecco, Valezquez, Goya, etc) and the second being a museum of contemporary art (Picasso, Dali, etc.) I liked El Prado best.

Before the museums the hotel provided us a gorgeous, fresh breakfast. Fresh squeezed kiwi, mango, and orange juices were available as well as hot churros, thing sliced chorizo, pudding and assorted breads/pastries. It was amazing. (Although the first thing I thought was "Chris would be very disappointed with this breakfast I could practically hear him saying "What the hell where's the rest of the food? How bout some eggs and pancakes?" ...)


We walked around for awhile during our free time between museums, it was really hot but the streets are so beautiful I don't mind. We found a restuarant for lunch that sold a lot of American food (nachos, mozzarella sticks, hamburgers, hotdogs, ...) but I feel like while I'm here I might as well try as many new things as I can! My sandwich was called the "Vitamina" and it had cheese, pineapple, spanish bacon, lettuce and the ripest red tomato I ever had on rye bread. Deliciosa. We also ordered the freshest smoothies I've ever tasted .. mine was called "bora bora" with coconut, mango and peaches.



After a much needed siesta, the Spain v Chile game is on and you can hear the city's reactions everywhere you go! I can't wait to go out tonight to celebrate!

Tomorrow we leave for Toledo at 9am followed by a walking tour of the city and another orientation. Saturday we leave for Barcelona!! I am so excited to meet my Senora and quit living out of my suitcase!
I probably won't have much time to update until Sunday or Monday (or even Tuesday) but feel free to e-mail me! (Myelen@umd.edu)

El Primer Dia

I made it! After spending a night at Lauren’s in PA, patiently waiting on multiple lengthy lines in the Philadelphia airport, an eight hour plane ride to London, an hour and a half delay whilst boarded on a small plane intended for Madrid (thank you French air traffic control strike), a missed retrieval by our ISA director and a taxi ride from the airport to our hotel, I am safe and sound in el Hotel NH Nacional in Madrid! - Madrid reminds me a little of DC, it's beautiful parks, museums and monuments are surrounded by shops, tourists and traffic (Madrid is more beautiful though...)

The flight was actually very bearable, I would definitely fly British Air again. The only stress came after having our flight to Madrid delayed nearly two hours so we missed the window (1-2pm) for our program director to pick us up and bring us to the hotel. ( Thank gosh for my memory from high school spanish )

We took a panoramic bus tour of the city; very interesting, but I wish I wasn’t so tired, the lull of the bus’ motor nearly put me to sleep. After a meeting with the program directors a small group of six of us girls found a small tapas restaurant for diner (we were starving.) The restaurant specialized in “broken eggs” so we got two platters: 1. eggs, potatoes, green peppers, onions and chirizo and 2. eggs, potatoes, red peppers, chicken. Broken eggs is simply that - a cracked egg in a pan - in case you were wondering. We shared two bottles of wine and some fried goat cheese, which I surprisingly liked.

Now, back at the hotel, tired beyond explanation, I finally have time to reflect on my first day in Europe ... the day went by so fast that I barely had time to appreciate the fact that I am experiencing the greatest culture shock of my life. I can’t wait until tomorrow to continue practicing my spanish (which, fyi, is better than I expected), explore the museums and introduce myself to a lot more new experiences.


Tomorrow’s Itinerary:
wake up call: 8
breakfast until: 9:30
El Prado Museum: 9:30 - ?
Free time for lunch
El Reina Sofia Museum: 3:30 - ?
Mandatory academic meeting: 6 - 7
7pm on ... ?? :) wish me luck!

Buenos Noches xoxo

The Day Before

Tonight marks the beginning of my adventures abroad. Sort of -- around 8:00 tonight I am driving to Philadelphia to stay at Lauren's for the night, and tomorrow we head to Philadelphia airport to depart for Madrid!

I think I would be more excited if the fatigue I feel wasn't so overbearing. I haven't gotten a good night's sleep in the past four days, however, I know the excitement is trying very hard to surface.

I spent the night at Monmouth with Chris (doing his homework) and woke up at 7:30 when he had to leave for Class. I came home figured since I was up I mine as well be productive, ergo, I drove myself to the nail salon. I figured I should take advantage of the $25 mani/pedi weekday package while I'm still here... I suppose the adventurous side of me is starting to come out already since I opted to stray from my typical shade of pink choice and chose LAVENDER for my nails. Woah.

I met my mom and Aunt Georgia for brunch and then came home to finish some more errands. It's 2:30 now and I'm ready for a nap ... ( I think I'll be able to get used to the whole siesta thing once I'm in Spain! )

I really can't wait to be in Spain. I've always been intrigued by Spanish culture and I think it will be the experience of a lifetime to immerse myself in it. Not being one who usually strays far from my usual routines, I am proud of myself for biting the bullet and leaving home for almost two months -- I know it's going to be a shock at first but I'm hoping to come home refreshed and enlightened -- I plan on posting as much as I can so follow me on my European summer vacation :)


Anyway, I better get back to productivity, 8PM will get here before I know it!

Less than 5 days

until I'm en route to Barcelona.

Ever since my first Spanish class in the sixth grade with Sra. Ovalles-Santos, I claimed my favorite name of all time to be "Rafael." Friends would laugh when I announced I would be naming my first son Rafael (I have since come to my senses and will only name my son Rafael if his father is hispanic - sensible.)

This week I found out the name and location of my homestay family for the duration of my visit in Barcelona. I will be living with one Senora (retired, with plenty of experience in hosting international students - let's hope she speaks some English!) in her three bedroom, two bath, apartment in the city. Her name is Rafaella. Fate? I think so.


I'm excited, nervous, and anxious (although mostly excited) for the six weeks I am about to spend over seas ... I can't help but stress out a little over all the things I need to accomplish in the next 120 hours. The following list is more for my sake than yours, so bear with me.

- Go to Verizon to activate my phone for over-seas use
- Similarly, buy some sort of international calling card
- Do at least two more loads of laundry
- Pack.
- Do my nails
- Survive my sister's graduation party (tomorrow...and my mom pulled her back... should be fun...)
- Help Chris with his final paper for his summer class (it's due the day after I intend to arrive in Madrid, obviously he's trying to have it finished whilst I'm still in the country.)
- Practice my Spanish (ay dios mio ... no le recuerdo nada )
- Find a ride to Philadelphia airport on June 23rd?!

Yes, these things all need to be accomplished before Wednesday - amongst others.

I'm also debating starting a separate blog dedicated solely to postings of all things Spain. This blog was kind of a trial run to see how this whole blogging phenomenon works and how I like it (I love it.) Maybe if I have time within the next five days I'll create a new Spain-only blog (I tend to have more ambitions than time to accomplish them so we'll see.)

Hasta luego xx

beautiful day for a bike ride

I think I'll go for a bike ride today.

The sun is shining without interruption from even a single cloud and the Weather Channel tells me the temperature isn't going to exceed 75 degrees. Therefore, I should get out of my room and enjoy the beautiful day :) What better way to do so than to get on my bike? I haven't done so since last summer, but for some reason this past week I've had an intense urge to get my bike out of the shed and onto the road.

Maybe it's because I am inspired by my Aunt who just completed a 51 mile ride in Lancaster, PA, or maybe it's because I'm bored of my humdrum workout schedule, or maybe it's because since I turned TWENTY exactly one week ago I am subconsciously trying to revert back to my childhood. Hmmmm

Most of you were aware of my illogical aversion to turning twenty ... for some reason I just feel OLD no longer in my teenaged years. I think it's a combination of having (way) more responsibilities, a fear of becoming independent, and nostalgia of my simplistic childhood (ie, acceptably playing outside as opposed to going "out," not worrying about how I'm going to look in a bathing suit after that bowl of ice cream, etc. ) that has me longing to run the opposite direction of the upcoming years in my twenties.

I don't know if it's good or bad that I harp on my primary years as opposed to looking forward to my early adulthood ... but for now I'm going to ride my bike like I'm ten and forget for awhile that I can't go back.