Barcelona is crazy.

As my time in Spain has continued, it has become more clear that Barcelona is an absolutely crazy city. This weekend my friend Jenny came to visit from Paris and it was by far the best weekend yet. Friday was still beautiful so she got to visit the beach and then we painted the town red at a grand opening of a nightclub! Saturday we walked around for close to 6 hours!! We saw La Sagrada Familia, Guadi's famous church in the middle of the city, La Pedrera, another Guadi building, a bachelor party from Scottland, friends visiting from Rome, Jenny's high school friend from Cali, a fire run, "Giants", the Olympic pool, the Olympic stadium...and so much more! 

Since I last posted I've also visited Parc Guell, which is Guadi's park with mosaic benches and the famous lizard. But now, for the fire run. This was what confirmed the sanity or lack there of, of this city. Let me preface this with the fact that no explanation I can give will truly describe what I experienced. The fire run was indeed a 2 hour parade of people running from fire. We had no idea what to expect so just followed the masses to the main street and waited along to side for the "correfoc" to begin. As we looked around we realized everyone was covered from head to toe, people had bandanas around their faces, and there was even an old woman next to me wearing safety goggles! We were in no way prepared but this didn't stop us. People dressed as devils in various groups from around the city, walked down the street carrying a staff with basically the worlds biggest sparklers on top. They would light the sparklers and spin them around, sending small flames everywhere! When they gave sign that they were about to light them, which don't be fooled, was not a warning sign, i just mean it was evident fire was about to be shot at you because they pulled out a torch gun, people would sit in front of them or gather in a circle around them and run! In the beginning we freaked out and I got a burn on my thigh, my arm, and the worst...my head. I pulled off a small chunk of scalp the next day only to discover a small bald spot amongst my hair...I kid you not, in this small circle it looks and feels like I got a buzz cut!! But god bless the thick hair I have always been unable to manage, because you can't see it unless I move stuff around. Eventually we realized we needed the full cultural experience, we tied extra layers of clothing that people had around our heads and ran with the fire! IT WAS INSANE! The best but scariest adrenaline rush ever. The fire people would come in packs so sometimes it felt as if you couldn't escape the sparks but then it would be over. There were also drummers that followed and then huge lizards, dragons, and even a fake horse that also gave off massive sparks. The streets were full of small children, teens, adults, and even much older generations. Everyone was ready for what was to come and the safety issues were not issues in the least way for it was a tradition and therefore nothing else mattered. Needless to say, the US would have had barricades lining the streets and police on every corner and really would probably never let it happen.

The next day we went to the castellers, which are human towers. Literally, towers of people. We some some walk around almost 4 people high and others who had a tower of 8 or 9 come falling down, which was very scary. 

Even without all these crazy and exciting events, I am having the time of my life. I have 9 hours of Spanish class every week and feel I am learning more than ever. (it helps that I'm actually able to apply what I'm learning to get by each day!) Its been very interesting to learn the many cultural differences and the opinions that people have of the states. I have met wonderful people who are all here to have a good time, be adventurous and live every experience to the fullest. Tomorrow is the actually holiday, La Merce, which is why all these events occurred this weekend. All of the museums are free to enter and everyone I've talked to is going! When people think of a typical group of college students, they would not imagine them to be excited for museums, so this is a really great atmosphere. 

Next weekend I board the plane for Munich to experience the world's greatest beer festival, Oktoberfest! This will surely be quite the adventure as we still have no place to stay but we are not worried and are all very excited! Don't panic mom and dad, we will be smart and safe!

Hope all is well in the states, it sounds like life is crazy over there. 

Con amor, Mary

*The pictures are: Parc Guell, my first FC Barcelona soccer game and we won, La Sagrada Familia, and me in front of the Olympic Stadium

First weekend of travel

The "Castle"
 Colleen, Molly, and myself...Roommies!
Hola!

Today was my first travel experience and we started off slow but had a great time. We took a bus to Lloret De Mar, which is along the Costa Brava one hour north of us. It was beautiful. The town had very narrow streets with many shops, and most clearly catered to tourists as it should because it is right along the water. The weather was crappy and first and I was not pleased that I had woken up at 7 to get to this place but we seized the opportunity and hiked over to a castle. False alarm. Once we got all the way over to the "castle" there was a metal plaque that said "Private property in the form of a castle. Built in 1966." Not so ancient nor exciting but the views along the way were great! The water here is crystal clear and mixes of turquoise and blue...this really is the place to be. We went to take a nap when we finally made it down and the sun ended up coming out! The night ended with some karaoke in an Irish pub (who knew the Irish were known for singing) and making friends with men from England who are a part of a "firm" for their soccer team. I will explain what a firm is later but without much more explanation these men were bad asses. 

Today we spent all day at the beach and wandered towards an actual castle on the other side and found an even more beautiful beach...jealous, I know. 

I'm back in Barcelona and am sitting here in my towel about to get ready to take over the night life. Tomorrow we are going to Gaudi's park, which is supposed to be really interesting. I actually start classes on Monday as my 3 week vacation comes to a close but I'm really looking forward to them. I'm taking an intensive spanish course that is 3 hours long, 3 days a week; a course on Sports and Society in Spain; Mediterranean Oceanography, which includes going fishing; and a management course that knocks out 2 courses at school, helping me continue to graduate on time and with ease! 

Hope all is well, I miss everyone!

con amor, mary

Molls and I at the hotel! Day one of many!
The beach in Barcelona
Mom, they have rules for dogs here too!
The Olympic diving area

...September 7th

Hola!

We just spent the weekend in Valencia and a day in Pensicola, Spain. Both were on the Med. and gorgeous! I will post pictures after this mom, don't worry!

We walked along the beach with the world's softest sand and the most beautiful water in the world. Today we sat at a restaurant by along the boardwalk, ate paella, calamari, and this bread with a garlic and tomato sauce...amazing. This was all while we looked out onto the Med. Sea...I felt as if I was on some luxurious caribbean vacation. Paella is a classic spanish dish of rice and seafood and it's amazing!

We stayed at a really nice hotel, which was a great change. Our apartment is nice but the air conditioning of the hotel was unbeatable. Today it has finally cooled down so it's good sleeping weather. This past week I have been sleeping with minimal clothing and just sweating...hence, the hotel, again, amazing. It was also nice to have food prepared for me. In my apartment it's all on me, which can be fun, but annoying when I just want to eat something. 

Anywho...Spain is quite the country. We only drove about 3 hours away and were in a completely different town. Although it was obviously there was Spanish influence, it felt like another country. In Pensicola we toured a castle that was used by the Knights of Templar and that's about it. I learned after someone translated the tour that the castle was basically pointless but oh well, it made me think of The DaVinci Code. Our tour guide was from Germany and was hard to understand in any language, which made it interesting, so I decided to try and befriend and am that helped get more information. He told me he would never go to Oktoberfest, which I am 200% attending, so that should be a good sign?!

This week we still have orientation but only through Wednesday so we are trying to figure out where to go...IES decided to have classes on Friday for the first time this year, which would happen to me, so we need to take advantage of any long weekends that we can. 

Hope all is well, miss you much!

Besos!

Con amor, Mary

August 26th-September 3rd

Hello all!

Now you can check up on what I'm doing across the world!

Molly and I made it safely to Spain after a long day of traveling. We didn't have any problems except that my movie player didn't work on the way to Zurich from Chicago...needless to say, it was a very long and boring flight next to a man who wouldn't speak.

Our hotel was really nice and only about a 20+ minute walk to the beach. The beach was unbelievable. Clear blue skies that faded into the rich blue water that was so clear and just the right temperature...honestly felt like we were in paradise. 

We have explored the night scene, obviously, and let me tell you it is something! The first time we went out we didn't get back until 6 am...Dad, I know that pains you to hear that! But luckily Spain is smarter than the US and they make a time for naps during the day...this is the place for me. 

Now we are in our apartment, which is in a fairly central location with lots of spots of interest and places to eat nearby. Walking to class will only take about 20 min. This is a guess because on my way there today for orientation I got very turned around. Was close to tears after receiving many directions, none of them really the same, but I finally made it, Starbucks in hand. (Mom, it was needed.)

Tonight we have a crazy party so I'm about to take a nap! Oh and earlier today I ran to the Plaza de Espanya and hiked up to the Olympic stadium, Jessie you would die! I even got to see the pool from a distance but am going back to check it out later. 

I hope all is well! Spain is amazing but I do miss MN! 

Con amor (with love), Mary