Typical Last Post

I’ve been thinking for a while about what I wanted to say in this last post. There is so much to say and to sum up, that I can’t even think of how to write it all down. I’m already home from abroad now and my thoughts aren’t really focused on abroad anymore. I’ve quickly transitioned back to my normal lifestyle: wake up, watch tv, run errands, hang out, clean my room, read a book (maybe), work out (maybe), ya know, the normal Gaithersburg stuff. But as I think back over the past 4 months, I’ve remember just how much I’ve been through. Here are some things that I have learned while being abroad, mixed in with some thoughts and experiences along the way:

1. Overall, I loved studying in Barcelona. For the first time in my life I was living in the middle of a big city surrounded by constant activity and nightlife. But I realized that I don’t think I ever want to live in a big city again. The whole semester I wondered to myself how I could sometimes get bored living in such a big city where there is so much to do, and not at all bored in such a small city like Madison, Wisconsin. I guess I just prefer smaller cities with a closer community of people (who I can speak english to). I still loved learning about the city, the history, the activities, and the pride and mentality of Barcelona, lets just say its one lesson learned.

2. I’m both sad and disappointed that I still can’t speak Spanish very well. Yes I know the basics and can hold a very simple conversation if the other person is speaking very slowly. But after 4 months in Spain, I thought I would have improved a little more. And just as my frustration was starting to kick in with not being able to pick up the language, I got to come home, and relieve myself of any more embarrassment.

3. Another something I learned about traveling is that you meet so many people from all over the world, but will not necessarily keep in touch with them. I have learned so much from all the people I have met, and they no doubt make an impression on my abroad experience, but now these people are just snippets of my memories.

Last Leg of the Trip

So as you already know, at this point in time I’m actually writing these blogs from my family room couch in Gaithersburg, Maryland. I want to write about each place I went in Europe but didn’t have time before I left for home, and also I was just too lazy last week. But even though I’m home now, I still remember my trips perfectly (which I should cause it was literally a week ago).

Budapest was the last leg of my trip. After 3 other countries in just 9 short days I was officially exhausted, and at this point, even more ready to come home. But the bus ride to Budapest kinda perked me up a bit. It took 8 long hours, but I got to see beautiful views and small towns and neighborhoods in the countryside of the Czech Republic, and I’m lucky I actually love bus rides. I don’t know why but I think they are relaxing and, actually pretty comfortable. But the trouble comes when I get off the bus in Budapest: it’s 12:30 in the morning, the bus depot is closed so we’re dropped off in what feels like the middle of nowhere, everyone is either from Prague or Budapest so I don’t hear any English, I have no Hungarian money, and I can’t find a taxi nor do I know if there are certain taxis that are unsafe or a rip off. So here I am, stranded, alone, and not to mention scared, in Eastern Europe at 12:30 in the morning. Some random guy offers me a ride to my hostel on the side of the street, but nope, not brave enough for that, I told him to keep driving. I finally found some girls who spoke English, and after some time I followed them to where they were walking to find some taxi’s lined up. I went up to a crossing guard and he got a cab for me who thankfully took me to my hostel. Finally at 1:15 in the morning, I’m there, but the nights not over yet. The room I reserved for the next 3 nights, an 8 person mixed dorm, was all full when I went to move in! So I spent a long time waiting for the girl at the hostel to tell me where I was going to sleep, and she ended up bringing me upstairs to a private room with my own bathroom. It’s just for the night, but hey, not to bad. So after a stressful night, I get to have my own room and a, relatively, good nights sleep.

Prague!

So by this point I am halfway through with my “after program” travels. Amsterdam and Copenhagen down, Prague and Budapest to go. I can’t believe that I loved the cities I have been to as much as I have, and wish I had more time in each place. But everyone I talk to keeps telling me to wait for Prague, “just wait till you get to Prague”, “you’re gonna love Prague”, “Prague is the prettiest city in Europe”. Things like that. But I tried to go in with no expectations, cause knowing me, when my expectations are too high I am always let down. So I wake up early to leave Copenhagen and head to Prague, my first trip to “central” Europe. I get in and take public transportation to the center of the city where my bestie from home, yes once again, Cara Ladd picks me up from the metro! I am lucky enough to have seen her 4 times this semester, and 2 times were complete chance that we ended up in the same city at the same time. We go to get coffee and catch up, then I go to her hostel to store my bags for the day. I get to meet her friend from her Seville program and the 3 of us get lunch and walk across the Charles bridge in search of the Lennon Wall.

I am truly in astonishment walking around the city. I can’t pinpoint what it is about it. I’ve seen beautiful architecture, I’ve walked across tons of intricate bridges, I’ve seen colored buildings and cobblestone streets all before. But for some reason, Prague was different. Maybe it was because it was my first time out of Western Europe? Maybe because their recent history was centered around WWII, which I am most interested in learning about? Maybe because I went in with no expectations? Whatever it is, I agree with what everyone had told me, this is THE city I would not have wanted to miss out on.

The Epitome of Chill

GOOD MORNING COPENHAGEN. I get into Copenhagen at 11:30 am on April 21^st, and find my best friend waiting for me at my baggage claim! At last we are reunited, and off to our hostel we go. We take the metro to our hostel and it was super easy to get there. It took us about 2 hours to check in cause the hostel was so slow and we wanted to check our emails and stuff before exploring. But eventually we leave the hostel, and are on our way. We walk around our neighborhood which is filled with cute restaurants and shops. And then we walked across the river to the center of the city. Copenhagen had a much different feel than any other city I had visited. Maybe it was because I had no plans, no expectations, no one to meet up with, no huge tourist sites to see, and no time schedule or agenda, but it was such a relaxing trip. The city is so calm and quiet, and we spent the day just walking around and enjoying the scenery. We were both starving and so we ended up in this market place where we ate the best sandwiches of my life. Then we walked into this hugeeee park where people were lying out and having picnics and playing soccer. I think the reason I liked it so much was because it kinda felt like a huge college campus, and it reminds me of home. It was beautiful and I took lots of artsy pictures that I must say I’m pretty proud of: take a look!

Me eating that great sandwich i was telling you about

Artsy picture #1

Artsy picture #2

Street performer blowing mass amounts of bubbles!

And yes, we played with bubbles in the streets with our our 8 year old friends

Beginning of the End

So once my parents left it became official, my program is actually about to end. With just 1.5 weeks left in Barcelona, I would officially be a senior in college (wow that sounds weird) and would be free to travel on my own. Unfortunately, my last weeks were quite uneventful. I would have liked to have spent the last few days doing the things in Barcelona that I never got to do in during the semester. But to be honest, I was pretty good about keeping busy during my months here, and there was no other big event that was still left to do that I hadn’t already done. So I spent my last week studying (not too much though) for my final exams, hanging out with friends, packing and preparing for my trip, going out a bit, going to this new flea market that I recently discovered, and just hanging out.

On the Monday night before my last day of class I met up with my intercambio, Andrea, one last time. She invited me over for dinner at her apartment with her, her sister, and her mom. It was such a nice dinner that her mom prepared especially for my visit, and we sat and talked for a few hours, (little did I know this would be the last time I spoke Spanish in 3 weeks). I gave Andrea and her sister, Lorena, the snowglobes from DC that mom brought for me to give to them. And gave her mom the book about Washington DC: I think they liked it? Andrea was nice enough to get me a CD from a Spanish band called the Van Goughs that she had told me about, and wrote a long letter in Spanish that I will soon plug into my translator online to help read what it says. I had a great night and it was sad to say bye to Andrea and Lorena, they have really taught me a lot about Spanish culture and it was nice to have Spanish friends that I know I’ll keep in touch with.

The next day I spent packing up my room, and taking my last 2 final exams. At night there was a CIEE event/party thing that Kayla, Yasmin, and I accidently went to un-fashionably late. Oops. We didn’t stay too long, but it was nice to say bye to everyone before we parted. Actually, who am I kidding, I said a quick "hey, see ya" to a few people, and that was about it. We went to a club afterwards which was fun, and then came back to the residencia and I was sound asleep by 4am.

Wednesday morning I woke up and brought my luggage over to Molly’s apartment across the street. She is nice enough to let me keep my stuff at her place while I’m gone, and then stay at her apartment in the spare bedroom for the 2 days before I leave for home. So I bring my stuff over, and then meet Katherine to leave for Amsterdam! Yeaaahhh and the adventure begins!

MAMMA MIA

I’m sitting in my room right now watching “The Voice” and am trying to multi-task and write this blog at the same time. So as you can imagine, it’s taking me a long time to think back to the beginning of last week before Semana Santa (Spanish Spring Break) even started. DISCLAIMER: get ready for the longest blog post of your life, it might take a few sittings, but you can do it.

So let’s see … last Wednesday I left Spanish class at 10:15am heading in the direction of the Alma Hotel. Whyyyy you ask? Because aunt Lynne and uncle Clark finally arrived in Barcelona! After walking in circles for about an hour trying to find this hotel because it lacked a properly sized hotel sign, I finally found the upscale monastery … oops, I mean hotel.  I had one class that day but the rest of the time I got to spend with them walking around the city and showing them my Residencia!

But the next day was not an ordinary day in Barcelona. On Thursday, March 29^th there was a National Strike all over Spain, and of course, Barcelona was hit the worst. 90% of flights were cancelled from the airports (I actually just made up that number, but I know it was a lot), and most stores and restaurants were closed for the day. What was supposed to be a peaceful, empowering protest turned sour when a group of dangerous anti-system people decided to run through the streets setting things on fire, slashing windows, destroying ATM machines, and blowing up trashcans. The Alma hotel was even blocked off and you needed to have a security man open the door for you as you squeezed through the bars to get in.

I’ve always been one to love how so many people can come together and protest with hopes of making changes in their society. But people are dumb to take their frustrations out on the city and other protesters who are there. After walking around Barcelona that night and smelling the burnt plastic from the blown up trashcans looming in the air, I was extremely surprised that the strike had turned out this way, and wonder what blowing up trashcans actually does to solve any problems.

But, moving along … Friday morning once again making my way from Spanish class to yet another hotel to pick up my parents, I watched city workers clean up the left over trash on the streets and have never seen the city so sad looking. But things quickly changed when I got my parents from their hotel! We went for breakfast, and the sun seemed to shine a little brighter in the afternoon. We did all the Gaudi sights (Casa Mila and Sagrada Familia), sat outside and had a cup of cava at my dad’s request, and met Aunt Lynne and Uncle Clark at Park Guell. That night we walked around the Gracia neighborhood and eventually made our way back to our respective hotels/residencias.

Forgot to mention that we met the former President of Catalonia and Mayor or Barcelona, Pasqual Maroguell! Who I actually realized was listed in my class notes for my Spanish Politics course, makes sense I guess.

Mom and me in front of the Hospital Sant Pau

Aunt Lynne and mom in Park Guell

Dad, myself, and mom in Park Guell

Dad, mom, aunt Lynne, and uncle Clark in Park Guell (I guess I don't really need to write each person's name seeing as half the people who read this blog are in the picture, but, thats okay, I will continue on)

The next day I woke up early, packed myself an overnight bag, and metro'd to the Gallery Hotel. This day was our busiest of the entire week! Non-stop walking and rushing to fit everything in! Here’s what we did that day:

-walked down las ramblas and to la boqueria to try Spain’s famous Spanish Omelette

-walked down and along the beach

-walked back to las ramblas for paella lunch

-metro'd to montjuic and spent the afternoon walking up and around the mountain and inside the castle

-quickly went back to las ramblas for churros con chocolate and northern tapas (since I couldn’t find the tapas bar at first, we had dessert first and tapas after, we were so hungry that we scarfed our food down without realizing how fast we were eating)

-metro'd to placa espanya to watch the beautiful magic fountain show

-and finally we metro'd to Dow Jones bar to watch FCBarcelona crush Bilboa in futbol

Ordering the spanish omelette at la bouqueria

On the beach!

A cool thing they apparently really liked at the Miro museum

Me and mom in the middle of the statue of the Sardana dancers! (Typical Catalan dance which we saw the live version of the next morning)

Magic fountain in action

Sunday was a bit more relaxed, we walked to the old city to see the Sardana Dance and got to visit the inside of the gaudi cathedral which I had been waiting to see all semester. We walked and saw the old synagogue, and then spent the afternoon walking the streets of the old roman city. Mom and dad saw the Picasso museum while I waited outside for them, and then we finally met up with Aunt Lynne and Uncle Clark for cocktails at their hotel, and to top off the day, we ate at this amazing mussels restaurant for dinner.

cool street performer that we saw

mom and dad in front of the oldest synagogue in Europe (so they say)

All of us near the Cathedral in the Old city. This "B" and "A" is just the beginning of the display of the word BARCINO, which is the name of the roman city in Barcelona. We are at the entrance to the old city.

People doing the Sardana!

OLOT

The past few weeks have been quite out of the ordinary for me. In fact, it’s even too much for me to write in one blog. Therefore, I’m going to be weird and write 2 separate blog posts about two very different experiences. This first one dates back to March 23^rd.

As you know, I have been meeting with my intercambio partner, Andrea, for about 3-4 weeks now for me to practice my Spanish, and for her to practice her English. Two weekends ago I got the opportunity to take a weekend trip with her, her sister, and her mom, to her hometown, Olot. Olot is an extremely small town about 1.5 hours north of Barcelona, actually very close to the French border.

See Barcelona? It's along the coast towards the bottom of the screen, well Olot is where the red "A" is. Since I lost all my pictures from this trip, I'm improvising with the images, and have no other pictures to show :(

It is ordinary for Andrea and her family to travel back to Olot on the weekends, as they only stay in Barcelona during the week when they are in school. So Friday morning, her mom drove us all to their apartment in Olot where we ate lunch and got settled in. We spent the day walking around the city, (which actually only took like an hour or so). We walked from their apartment, to the post office, to the movie theatre, to the regular theatre, to the library, past a few schools, up a volcano, and back to the apartment. That’s right, I said up a volcano.  Olot sits on numerous dormant volcanos that make the city really unique. Since they were active such a long time ago, they just seem like normal hills now, all covered in grass and trees, but it was cool to see nonetheless.

Friday night we went to see a show in Spanish. It was a kind of a cool experience, but all I knew about the show, even after sitting through it, is that it was about old people. As you can tell, I loved the breathtaking performance (sarcasm).

After the play we went back to the apartment and had dinner, and I fell quickly asleep. But one thing that's different about the Spanish home is that they keep it freezing cold!! I had 3 blankets and was still shivering throughout the night! The next night asked for 3 more blankets, and was perfectly comfortable with my 800 blankets.

Saturday during the day we drove to some neighboring towns and got to see a lot of beautiful views of the countryside. We waked around a small town that used to be home to a significant Jewish population. I saw an old outdoor synagogue, signs leading to the mikvah, and the torn down synagogue walls. I wish I had pictures to show, but my camera is nowhere to be found, and unfortunately my pictures from Olot are gone too.

Saturday afternoon I spent in the apartment showing Andrea and her twin sister pictures from home. It was so much fun to show them pictures of Wisconsin tailgates and football games, Alpha Phi events, and from my high school homecoming dances! They were infatuated with stories about American culture, and were upset to find out that high school in the U.S. isn’t quite the same as High School Musical and Glee.

Saturday night we saw a movie in Spanish, Todos Las Dias De Mi Vida. Actually though, its an American movie (“The Vow”) with Rachel McAdams. Boring movie, but I actually understood it even though it was dubbed in Spanish!

Sunday afternoon we traveled to their friends house for a calcotada feast! Remember that I’ve talked about these before? It’s a native Spanish onion that are cooked on a huge grill and when you eat them you have to peel the burnt layer off first. The afternoon was basically a Spanish version of a maryland summer crab feast. Except with dessert and wine, instead of shrimp and beer. It was a lot of fun, but since everyone was talking in Catalan I just sat there silently and smiled and laughed when people looked me way. I guess I’ve perfected the art of pretending that I know what people are saying. OH, another thing that was funny, is that this family who's house we ate lunch at, had a pet donkey. Yep, a pet donkey. I don't know what they do with a donkey, but that's Catalonia for you.

After the feast, we traveled back to Barcelona and I got back to my dorm at about 10:00pm. And that marks the end of my weekend, where I took advantage of my opportunity to really understand Catalan culture and experience something different than any other student on my program.

Coming next: Family in barcelona yeeeaaaahhhhhh!