Taking the time to “tomar el sol” February 7, 2010

When I woke up this morning I couldn’t help but smile – even though I’ve been here for over five months, I still can’t believe I did it – I’m really here. Luckily, it was beautiful sunny day out so I called a couple of friends and we roamed the streets of Barcelona without a plan nor purpose, we just walked. I’ve seen most of the tourist attractions and know how to get around the city now, but what I love most is that I can get lost in the small streets and discover all the hidden treasures throughout the city.

On Sunday’s not much is open, all the main stores and supermarkets are closed, yet that doesn’t force people to stay inside. Instead, you see everyone just walking or sitting on the grass “tomando el sol” and enjoying the nice weather. I feel like I can truly breathe here… even though at times it’s hard for me to balance, work, school and other extra curricular activities, the one thing I’ve learned from the Spanish is to take time to just sit and enjoy the present moment…

We walked through Park Cituadella, you can't tell in this picture, but there are hundreds of people with their tapas and blankets all over the park. You see everything from people walking on a tightrope to people playing musical instruments with friends singing along next to them... I love how people just take the time to sit and enjoy the company of friends and family.

Behind the Catedral, there's this small corner that has amazing acoustics, there is always someone there singing or playing their musical instruments... I love the free concerts in the streets.

There is always a new plaza to discover and streets to roam, I could live here forever and still discover something new every time... I love how Barcelona never fails to intrigue me.

Holiday Travels: Back to Barcelona! January 21, 2010

After London, Anette traveled back to our favorite city… Barcelona. One of my best friends Vanessa came to visit to spend new years with me and to check out my new home town.

Loving the Christmas decorations!

This year the Barcelona government bought new Christmas lights saying “Merry Christmas” in 15 different languages and they were hung up all over the city. The funny thing is that they forgot to include “Feliz Navidad” or did they? The Spanish government was really mad and accused Barcelona of purposely forgetting to include Spanish since Catalunya is constantly trying to separate themselves from Spain… interesting stuff!

Feliz Navidad?

Yes, this is Obama and yes, he’s pooping. BUT, before you think this is weird, it’s actually a normal Christmas decoration in the Catalan nativity scene. From what I understand, in Catalunya, they believe that the day Jesus was born was like any other normal day, meaning that there was probably a guy pooping in the bushes on Dec. 25th. For that reason, they always hide El Caganer in their nativity scenes and when you go to a Catalan’s home, the first thing you do is look for el caganer. You can find el caganer in the shape of almost any known celebrity or cartoon, Anette asked me to get her an Obama for her birthday .

Anette's Birthday present

We brought in the new year in Plaza Catalunya, everyone gathered in the center of the city with their bottles of Cava and grapes. In Spain, it’s tradition to eat grapes for good luck on new years eve. They start the countdown 12 seconds before midnight and you eat a grape with each sound of the bell.

Bringing in 2010!

The view from the top of La Catedral de Barcelona

Finally made it inside Casa Batilo, loved it - definitely worth a visit

This is where I’m supposed to be. December 12, 2009

Anette recently sent me this picture we took four years ago on my first trip to Barcelona. We were only in Barcelona for 24-hours, but it was love at first sight when I walked through the streets of Barrio Gotico and saw Gaudi’s architecture for the first time. I remember telling Anette that I could see myself living here and I felt at home…

If you would have told me then that I’d be where I am now, I wouldn’t believe you. It’s crazy where life takes you, but I can finally say that I’m grateful for the changes in my life that brought me to where I am now. I couldn’t be happier.

Eating pizza with Anette in front of La Sagrada Familia

Parque Güell November 30, 2009

Girls trip to Park Guell

Thanks for making the long trip from CA to visit me Kat and Fran!

Unflattering angle, but cool pic! I love all the Gaudi mosaic ceilings...

My first month in Barcelona! October 20, 2009

I arrived in Barcelona one month ago, time is flying by! I can finally call Barcelona home, I’ve settled into my flat, started school, found a job teaching English and I’ve meet some amazing people. Just to quickly summarize my first month here, below lists the top 10 highlights of my time here so far:

1. Going to my first Barca game!

2. Riding bikes though the streets of Amsterdam and admiring the gorgeous canals throughout the city.

3. Experiencing my first Merce and the all culture Barcelona has to offer.

4. Dipping my foot into the Mediterranean Sea for the first time.

5. Starting school at EADA and attending the opening ceremony at the Palacio de la Música Catalan.

6. Walking though the gorgeous streets of Barcelona and admiring all the breathtaking architecture.

7. Relaxing at el parque de la Ciutadella and people watching.

8. Meeting my EADA classmates from all over the world and getting to know them while learning about their cultures.

9. Trying new foods and being creative with my cooking (BTW - I found peanut butter last week, such a relief)!

10. Making new friends and enjoying the Barcelona nightlife.

Being exposed to so many different cultures and exploring Barcelona has definitely been a learning experience. I honestly learn something new everyday, here are a few of my favorite fun facts:

• Nudity is legal in Barcelona, people can walk around naked if they want to, but luckily, it’s very uncommon and not that many people do it.
• In Spain, when people say “tio/tia” it doesn’t mean aunt/uncle, it’s their word for dude, homie, etc.
• Pan con tomate was invented during the war because the soldiers  only had stale bread so they rubbed the tomato on the bread to make it moist. It’s still made the same way and is a popular tapa.
• Some of my favorite new words/phrases are: “guay” – so awesome/cool, “pijo” – posh, vale – okay or yes, “no pasa nada” – don’t worry about it, “me mola” – I really like this, “majo” – good person.
• When you order coffee or lunch at a cafe, you don’t have to pay right away – you enjoy your drink/meal first then pay (people are really trusting).
• When you ask for a tortilla, you get a tortilla Espanola.

Miss and love you all!

AHHH I’m FINALLY in BCN! September 20, 2009

La Sagrada Familia (L2/L5 Sagrada Familia)

Casa Batllo (Metro L2, L3 or L4 Passeig de Gracia)

It hit me today that I’m really here, I got off the Metro at Sagrada Familia to look at flats and this was the first thing I saw. I had to contain myself, I wanted to scream and jump up and down when I saw La Sagrada Familia. I had another moment and got all teary eyed when I walked past Casa Bastllo. I love Gaudi’s architecture, it’s breathtaking, I could stare at it for hours. I made a promise to myself today, I’m always going to take the time to look at and appreciate all the amazing sites in BCN, I don’t want to take my time here for granted.