At 16:55 I will board a plane for Paris, France. Yes, I know what is 16:55? Well, it means 4:55pm. Europe is confusing. I feel like I have more trouble with the conversions than most normal people...oh BC Calc. I will not be in Paris for long though, only one night. Hopefully tonigh I will be able to get together with a couple of Potomac Class of 2006-ers, Meredith and Liz. But then tomorrow morning-ish I am heading out to Versailles where I am am going to stay with my dad´s childhood au pair. Pretty random, I know. But that is what traveling is all about! (or so I am told) It should be good to get out of a hostel and into a home.
Sevilla has been beautiful and relaxing! Despite rain the first two days I was here, I have loved just roaming the streets and sitting in parks. Last night I went out with an Australian girl to see Vicky Christiana Barcelona, Woody Allen´s new movie. I had actually already seen it in the states, but it was great to see again having just been in Barcelona. I highly recommend it!
I have a few hours before my flight takes off, so I am off to do some more wandering!
Besos!!
Oh and thank you to Nico for being the ONLY one who has made a comment on this blog...I wonder if anyone is even reading it : (
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
First Day in Sevilla
I have made it to Sevilla.
Although I got to the train station in Barcelona freakishly early yesterday, I did end up having to run to make my train. I`m a smart one. See, I did not realize that my train went on to Cadiz so I was not looking for this "Cadiz" on the big board at the station. Sooo when 10:25pm came around I finally decide I should ask someone about my train--supposedly leaving at 10:30pm. The man basically laughed at me and told me I had probably missed it but should "corre, corre" (run, run). So that is what I did! I think I may have been the last person on board...not my finest moment!
The running was worth it though. Seville is beautiful! No wonder it is one of your favorite places, Ms. Katy Warren. My hostel is also faaar nicer than the one I stayed in in Barcelona. I am sharing a room with 3 girls and we have our own bathroom--I am happy! While waiting to check into my room I ventured up to a nice patio they have on the roof where I met some Canadians. They were actually on there way out of town, but did not hesitate to tell me that the Canadians, like the Europeans, love to make fun of the USA. Glad we are so loved. After checking into the room and taking a nice shower (despite the fact the shower has no door and I sort of made a mini-lake) I hit the streets. I am staying in the Santa Cruz area where most of the streets are only for pedestrians and bikers...very calming. Compared to Barcelona I am finding Seville more peaceful and laid back. I think tomorrow I will be super-cool and do a bus tour.
Happy Friday!
Although I got to the train station in Barcelona freakishly early yesterday, I did end up having to run to make my train. I`m a smart one. See, I did not realize that my train went on to Cadiz so I was not looking for this "Cadiz" on the big board at the station. Sooo when 10:25pm came around I finally decide I should ask someone about my train--supposedly leaving at 10:30pm. The man basically laughed at me and told me I had probably missed it but should "corre, corre" (run, run). So that is what I did! I think I may have been the last person on board...not my finest moment!
The running was worth it though. Seville is beautiful! No wonder it is one of your favorite places, Ms. Katy Warren. My hostel is also faaar nicer than the one I stayed in in Barcelona. I am sharing a room with 3 girls and we have our own bathroom--I am happy! While waiting to check into my room I ventured up to a nice patio they have on the roof where I met some Canadians. They were actually on there way out of town, but did not hesitate to tell me that the Canadians, like the Europeans, love to make fun of the USA. Glad we are so loved. After checking into the room and taking a nice shower (despite the fact the shower has no door and I sort of made a mini-lake) I hit the streets. I am staying in the Santa Cruz area where most of the streets are only for pedestrians and bikers...very calming. Compared to Barcelona I am finding Seville more peaceful and laid back. I think tomorrow I will be super-cool and do a bus tour.
Happy Friday!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Last Day in Barcelona
So not that any one was really keeping track...but I am actually meant to be in Sevilla right now! I was convinced (with not too much force necessary) by my friends to stay another day. And by friends, I mean people I met at the Spanish school who did not leave but are actually staying in Barcelona for a semester to study. So why stay another day? Last night was the closing ceremony of the Merce festival I mentioned in my last posting. People from all over Barcelona packed, and i mean packed, themselves into the metro to head down to Plaça España to see a crazy show. First we watched Font Magica (Magic Fountain) which according to my guide book is "the colorful, dancing fountain set to pop tunes." It usually "performs" every weekend but had a special viewing for the festival. After that was an amazing fireworks show...similar to soemthing you would see on the National Mall for July 4th.
Today I got to see a few last sights that I had not gotten around to seeing. I went to a grand music hall this morning called the Palau de Musica Catalan. The tour guide, although endearing, did not really speak English all too well so that was interesting. But, regardless, it was beautiful. Being in the hall is like sitting in a work of art...it is cool though because they don`t only have classical performances there but all kinds of music. Even one of my dad´s and my favorite singer´s Jorge Drexler performs there on occasion. Pretty sweet. After that I went over to the Jon Miro Foundation which is a really fantastic museum and recommend it to anyone going to Barcelona. Definitely one of my favorite stops I made here.
Tonight I am off on a 10:30pm sleeper train to Sevilla. I am going to be there for 4 nights! Would write more (not that this isn`t long enough) but I must go meet my friend Bernadet who has my backpack, aka my life, which I might just need in Sevilla!
Missing everyone!
P.S.- if you havent noticed my spelling is horrible and there is no spell check...so bare with me. : )
Today I got to see a few last sights that I had not gotten around to seeing. I went to a grand music hall this morning called the Palau de Musica Catalan. The tour guide, although endearing, did not really speak English all too well so that was interesting. But, regardless, it was beautiful. Being in the hall is like sitting in a work of art...it is cool though because they don`t only have classical performances there but all kinds of music. Even one of my dad´s and my favorite singer´s Jorge Drexler performs there on occasion. Pretty sweet. After that I went over to the Jon Miro Foundation which is a really fantastic museum and recommend it to anyone going to Barcelona. Definitely one of my favorite stops I made here.
Tonight I am off on a 10:30pm sleeper train to Sevilla. I am going to be there for 4 nights! Would write more (not that this isn`t long enough) but I must go meet my friend Bernadet who has my backpack, aka my life, which I might just need in Sevilla!
Missing everyone!
P.S.- if you havent noticed my spelling is horrible and there is no spell check...so bare with me. : )
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Day 14: Spanish Washing Machines, No Gracias
I can´t believe I have already been here for two weeks! It seems like I was just driving up to Dulles Airport and saying goodbye to the fam. So today was the last day in my student housing and I have just moved into my new hostel San Jordi. Although the hostel could use some major work and a little cleaning, it is in a safe neighborhood and that is all I really care about.
I did have some moving-out problems though...Last night, in efforts to prepare for the next part of my journey I decided that I would wash my clothes at the student residence so I would have some clean clothes. Easy right? Not so much. The machine first off took like 6 hours to wash and then when I went to get my clothes they were sopping sopping wet and dryers arent too common here...sooo my clothes are currently on a drying rack in a residence that I no longer occupy. I am really hopeing that the next occupants take mercy on me and keep them there. We shall see!
This is a very good weekend to be in Barcelona. For the next five days the city is having its Merce Festival, this is what the internet says about it:
Barcelona La Merce lasts for around 6 days and is a festival held in honour of Mare de Deu de la Merce, the Patron Saint of Barcelona. The festival, which officially first took place in 1902, bids goodbye to the summer with a bang and welcomes in the cooler months of autumn.
Last night we went to a crazy lights festival in front of the city center and then fire works at the beach. We also went to a concert in front of the Catedral of this really great french singer (according to my Belgium friend she is quite famous in France). So that was great!
Today I am going to hopefully get some logistical stuff for the next leg of my trip worked out. Not so fun!
Keep me posted on your lives!!!
I did have some moving-out problems though...Last night, in efforts to prepare for the next part of my journey I decided that I would wash my clothes at the student residence so I would have some clean clothes. Easy right? Not so much. The machine first off took like 6 hours to wash and then when I went to get my clothes they were sopping sopping wet and dryers arent too common here...sooo my clothes are currently on a drying rack in a residence that I no longer occupy. I am really hopeing that the next occupants take mercy on me and keep them there. We shall see!
This is a very good weekend to be in Barcelona. For the next five days the city is having its Merce Festival, this is what the internet says about it:
Barcelona La Merce lasts for around 6 days and is a festival held in honour of Mare de Deu de la Merce, the Patron Saint of Barcelona. The festival, which officially first took place in 1902, bids goodbye to the summer with a bang and welcomes in the cooler months of autumn.
Last night we went to a crazy lights festival in front of the city center and then fire works at the beach. We also went to a concert in front of the Catedral of this really great french singer (according to my Belgium friend she is quite famous in France). So that was great!
Today I am going to hopefully get some logistical stuff for the next leg of my trip worked out. Not so fun!
Keep me posted on your lives!!!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Hola from Spain
I made this blog almost 3 weeks ago, but since then have been so busy packing and then settling in here in Spain that I have not yet posted one thing! So here we go....As I am sure most of you know, I am not starting at Middlebury College until this February. Middlebury call us special students- Febs. That said, for the past week and a half I have been here in Barcelona, Spain.
The first few days were filled with uncertaity and some homesickness, but life has greatly improved. I have met some great people at CaminoBarcelona, a spanish language school where I am currently taking classes. I have made friends from Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Holland, Belgium, and even Israel! Life is very weird without any American friends. I sometimes wish there was one or two others just to help me defend myself when I am told that Americans are all fat, lazy, two-faced, unintelligent, and naive! But I think I have done the country proud and made a good impression! Or at least I hope I have.
Anywhooo my classes are in the afternoon so in the mornings I have been walking around the city just taking everything in. I would say I have been eating fabulous tapas but that would be a lie. You think europeans, you think great tasta, no? Well, at least I did. All my friends want to do is go to McDonalds, or Subway, or KFC even. GROSS! That is mostly the boys actually, but still not quite what I expected.
I am going to have to cut this short because once again I am kicked off a computer! But no worries, more to come! I am also going to try to put up pictures on facebook as soon as I can! I miss everyone tons and for those of you I have not spoken to since arriving here- tell me about your lives!
DISCLAIMER- Sometimes I am using computers from other countries (for example now I am on a German computer) and they sometimes have different key boards that are really messed up so dont hate if I cannot find an apostrophe sign as in right now....or as yasmin knows, I use a Z in the place of a Y.
Oh AND HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY YAZZZY Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The first few days were filled with uncertaity and some homesickness, but life has greatly improved. I have met some great people at CaminoBarcelona, a spanish language school where I am currently taking classes. I have made friends from Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Holland, Belgium, and even Israel! Life is very weird without any American friends. I sometimes wish there was one or two others just to help me defend myself when I am told that Americans are all fat, lazy, two-faced, unintelligent, and naive! But I think I have done the country proud and made a good impression! Or at least I hope I have.
Anywhooo my classes are in the afternoon so in the mornings I have been walking around the city just taking everything in. I would say I have been eating fabulous tapas but that would be a lie. You think europeans, you think great tasta, no? Well, at least I did. All my friends want to do is go to McDonalds, or Subway, or KFC even. GROSS! That is mostly the boys actually, but still not quite what I expected.
I am going to have to cut this short because once again I am kicked off a computer! But no worries, more to come! I am also going to try to put up pictures on facebook as soon as I can! I miss everyone tons and for those of you I have not spoken to since arriving here- tell me about your lives!
DISCLAIMER- Sometimes I am using computers from other countries (for example now I am on a German computer) and they sometimes have different key boards that are really messed up so dont hate if I cannot find an apostrophe sign as in right now....or as yasmin knows, I use a Z in the place of a Y.
Oh AND HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY YAZZZY Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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