It’s been a long time my old friend…

Okay, so it’s been forever since I posted. Apologies all around. But what can I say? Blogging sucks. But thank you Ruvani, for your monthly tumblr post to inspire me. But first, a nice picture to show you how entertaining metro stations can be: (Also from here on out, pictures may be a bit random. But have fun with that!

First thing, before I forget..if you ever come the Barcelona, please PLEASE go to La Champagneria. It’s is the most amazing, disgusting, no-health-code, delicious bar/restaurant ever. Okay so that’s a little hyped up. Buuuttt, they have bocadillos/burgers for pretty cheap with MEAT in them. Which is quite an accomplishment in itself as Spaniards don’t seem to be too fond of huge hunks of meat as I am. But my burger was tre delicious. However, the real winner here is the Champagne. I could go on and on about it, but here are some fun facts: 1. It is cheap. As in you can purchase a bottle for 2.30euros/a glass (don’t get the glass though..go big or go home) for 0.80euros. 2. Weirdly enough, it goes perfectly with the greasy piece of meat that you will have in your hand. and 3. IT’S DELICIOUS.

I already told my parents about it. They now think I am a lush. Their exact words. But honestly, if you had 2.30euro cava, I think you’d buy two bottles too. Just saying.

Anyways, back to other things. February came and went. I spent it in Barcelona, and I’m so glad I did. From this coming weekend on, until the last weekend before my actual program ends, I’ll be going to different cities around Europe. Which sounds so ridiculously crazy but I am psyched. But this past month, I ended up finally getting around to most of the neighborhoods here. Barcelona has some of the most distinct neighborhoods I’ve ever seen a city have - each of them has their own character. I think my favorite so far has been either El Born or El Barrio Gótico. I don’t know why, but I love how they both exude small, cute spanish town. And I love Plaça de Catalunya (their large shopping area)! It makes me wonder how I’m ever going to go back to shopping at Newpark Mall…or UTC. Picture below is in El Raval.

Actually, I’ve been doing a lot of that…wondering what it’s going to be like when I get back that is. I know here my homestay is not ideal, obviously because my host mom is such a b**** (scuse my language), but I still LOVE barcelona. The feeling of living in a big city, a big EUROPEAN city, is amazing. The lifestyle here - the fact that bars get going around 12, or that there’s always some cute cafe open to hang out with your friends at (except not on Sundays cuz for some reason spain just SHUTS DOWN on sundays. Stupid.) And the fact that I eat/shop at places that are just steps away from Roman ruins? Where would you get that besides here? Jealous yet? You should be.

I also was able to watch Flamenco which was pretty cool. Although it originated in Andalucia, the performers that I saw were well-known in the flamenco world as I am told. It was really cool - definitely an experience I recommend!

I’ll post more later though…I have to get to the studying portion of my time here. I’ll post soon my friends!

Last thing!

I’m a day ahead, CA time, but Happy Valentines Day!

Peace

Today, I had one of those days. I didn’t do anything particularly special, but it was wonderful. Not saying the whole weekend wasn’t - I was able to explore the Gracia neighborhood and see the Picasso museum on Saturday. But, this past morning, I was able to finally make it to brunch!! SUCH a highlight. Oh how I’ve missed pancakes..blueberry pancakes..mmm. And SMOOTHIES. Well worth the cost of waking up earlier than usual on a sunday morning. 

 (can you please not judge my fob bangs?)

I also finally went to the Parc de la Ciutadella, late in the afternoon, and it was so beautiful. It was green. It was weird because I’m not one to really miss parks, but it was such a change from what I’ve been living in for the past month. Don’t get me wrong, Barcelona is beautiful, but it’s nothing short of a concrete jungle. And the park was just such a sigh of relief - there was grass! And a lake with ducks, and tree-lined pathways! For some reason, it felt like a little slice of home.

But that’s it for now. Last thing..for Annie Chen :) Here’s a picture of churros and chocolate. Just to make you a little bit more jealous.