Weekend in Barcelona!

Back to Spain! Surprisingly, I never made it up to Barcelona when I lived in Sevilla. In fact, I didn't do much traveling at all because I was too in love with my own neighborhood (and too scared of my bank balance).

This time around, I've got places to be - things to see!

I've already ticked off Marseilles (twice), St. Remy, Les Baux de Provence, and now... Barcelona. 

The weekend started with a 5:37 wake up call (literally) from my friend down the hall, because we were supposed to be on the bus at 5:45 and my alarm was set for 5...pm. Oops.

No harm, no foul, I wasn't the only one struggling to get out of bed in the morning and the bus pulled out around 6:15.

Our first stop was actually a destination in France called Carcassonne. Carcassonne is fortified city which was popular due to its ideal location, situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean, and also between two mountain ranges. Since 1997 the medieval fortress has been on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. 

The view, as usual, was gorgeous. 

First, we walked along the ramparts of the fortress and enjoyed the view of multiple gardens, restaurant patios, and sleeping cats.

Then, we came out by the old church and just happened to enter in time to be serenaded by an a capella group. I didn’t take photos of them; I always feel like I owe a performer money if I take their photo (or honestly pay them any attention at all) and I didn’t have much on me, so I just enjoyed the music and the stained glass windows.

An hour after leaving Carcassonne, we were suddenly in Spain, and boy did my Spanish not come right back. The comprehension was there, but the words did not come. It’s super frustrating to understand what someone is saying and not be able to form a coherent response. Derp.

I did, however, find my old favorite snack in the gas station. So, it equals out.

By 4:30, we were in Barcelona. Our guide for the weekend took us on a quick tour of the city and then promptly left us in a nearby square (“You can find your way home, right? Great, bye!”) to explore. 

While we were taking photos of this giant piece of 3D art, someone nearby was explaining what it symbolized, but alas, they were explaining it in Spanish. So your best guess is my best guess.

It took us several hours (days?) to stop saying “Merci!” instead of “Gracias!” to everyone we encountered.

Saturday we went to a market in the port of Barcelona, then hopped on a bus and took a tour around the city. We saw the Olympic stadiums, some great views of the port, the Sagrada Familia (from the outside only), and Plaza España.

Saturday night my Spanish started to come back...after a few beers.

Unfortunately that's also when another tourist decided he needed to convince us to vote for Donald Trump. (Key piece of information: he was not American.)

Highlights of Saturday night: Dancing all out to Spanish music, bar hopping on the beach, our taxi driver who could have been an extra in Fast & Furious, and closing the Burger King in town at 3am to eat whoppers and wear our crowns in the park.

Sunday we checked out of the hostel and when to Parc Güell, Gaudi's beautiful mosaic garden and home of the benches where every basic college girl (me!) is required to take a photo before she can leave the city.

And that was the end!

Not going to lie, there is a serious place in my heart for Spain. I find myself unfairly comparing Aix to Sevilla, Marseilles to Malaga, and my life in France to my life in Spain all the time when I know I shouldn't. They're similar and different, both with advantages and disadvantages (Pro: Spanish music; Con: everyone speaks Spanish - but me).

But here I am in Aix - next stop, Brussels! And then Arles! And then London! And more!

I'll find my place somewhere ;)

(Big shout out to the Barcelona crew - my squad! - for an unforgettable weekend.)

I am Aix-actly where I want to be - so how did I get here?

Step 1:
Get on the plane

Upon arriving at Dulles airport in DC I was greeted with a 3 hour delay - but thanks to the fact that we didn't get on the plane until 1:30am EST, I somehow managed to sleep and ended up with no jet lag.

Step 2:
Take Selfies

               

               

Because what else do you do after 12 hours of travelling solo besides lose your mind and make Vin Diesel references?

Step 3:
Arrive!

On the Cours Mirabeau, the main street in Aix - also known as the Champs Elysees of the South.

Step 4:
Take a nap

Seriously - walking 15,000 steps a day (on average) can really tire a girl out.

Step 5:
Eat all the food

       

     
A beautiful bruschetta; wine, sangria, martinis and grilled octopus at Cafe Tapas (not all at the same time, I promise); and an amazing lunch in the countryside complete with endless baguette.

Step 6:
Explore

        

 

   
                                     

  

                    

 

 
 
            

          

 

I've been here in Aix now for about a week and a half and time is absolutely flying by. Yesterday my roommate and I looked at each other and said, How do we only have 13 weeks left?

The first week was a whirlwind. 

A few things we did this past week: toured Aix, attended orientation sessions, took a day trip to the beach, went to an old feudal era fortress, ate a good meal in a home with a deed "signed" by Louis XIV, saw a giant art exhibit inside a quarry, toured the sanitarium where Van Gogh stayed for 2 years before he died, and just enjoyed the city.

Of course, I took a few classes too, was pleasantly surprised by my comprehension (all of my classes are 100% in French), and already have some homework to do this weekend...c'est la vie!

Here's to 13 more weeks!

T-Minus 20 Days and Counting

Wait, what do you mean I'm leaving in 20 days? That can't be right.

I JUST GOT HERE. Cue ugly crying.

The next 3 weeks are going to be a whirlwind. Not only do I have to undo all my accomplishments (close out my bank account, shut off my internet service, move out of my first grown-up apartment) but I also have to say goodbye to my friends and the city itself. It's gonna be rough.

So, what am I going to miss about Sevilla? Besides everything, of course.

1. The Atmosphere

Life here is so relaxed. No one's in a hurry, no one feels pressured to do anything. Shops close down for 3 whole hours in the middle of the afternoon, for goodness sake. And no one (besides me) complains!

It really is just a slower way of life. A lot of people say that coming to Sevilla is like stepping back in time. There are so many pieces of life here untouched by time. People go out every night and have a beer with their friends and their family, spending hours at the bar with no worries or cares. Children run around with minimal supervision, playing with their neighborhood friends. It's a nice step back from the busy life of a city back in the States.

2. The Food (aka why this is really a food blog)

Whoever invented the concept of tapas was basically a genius. First of all, if you ever meet anyone who won't share their food with you, you need to run away from them as quickly as possible. Second of all, how else can you have 4-5 dishes in one meal and never pay more than 10-12 euro?

It's not only restaurant food I'm going to miss, either. The produce here is so. stinkin. cheap. 2 pounds of zucchini for 1 euro. 2 pounds of carrots for 59 cents. A pound of strawberries for 79 cents. A pound of peaches for a euro. What is life?!? I've been in fruit and veg heaven for months.

3. The Weather.

Who says a pasty girl can't enjoy the sunshine? I'm pretty sure it has rained a grand total of maybe 6 times since I've been here. That could be slightly under-exaggerated, but not much. Add that to the fact that it doesn't snow, never freezes, and the sun shines till about 9 pm every day? Heaven.

I came just in time to avoid a record-breaking snowy winter in Boston, and couldn't be more grateful. Now, I just have to keep that in mind when I'm melting in the Sevilla heat over the next few weeks.

4. My neighborhood

There are 3 grocery stores within a 5 minute walk from my apartment. There's a book store and a fruit stand right around the corner, a pharmacy, three churches, 2 clothing stores, probably a dozen bars and, of course, who can forget the Thursday morning flea market?

I live in possibly one of the coolest neighborhoods in Sevilla. The area is young, there's a lot going on, it's a great mix of bars and shops and markets. It has really come to be my home. After a lot of exploring, getting lost, and finding my way, this is where I live. It's my area.

There may not be a Starbucks on every street corner, but I can deal with that.

5. The People.

Okay, yes, I cheated. All of my friends speak English. Sorry!

That doesn't make them any less amazing. To the friends who will eat an entire pizza with me, go on adventures with me, call the delivery guy for me when I forgot to give them my apartment number...it's been great.

I've learned so much from them, from my job, from just being here that I can't believe it's only been 5 months.

It's going to be a busy last 20 days, so get ready!

Because she always knows just what to say, in the words of Sarah Kay, "This isn't my last time here. These aren't the last words I'll share. But just in case, I'm trying my hardest to get it right this time around."

Feria Photo Blog

 The flower bigger than my face.

 Headed for Feria!

 But first, let us take a selfie.

We made it!

 The decorations were amazing.

Look at all these girls in traditional dresses!

And us?...not so much!