Carnaval!

Phew, so I'm finally getting some time to write about this past weekends festivities. Starting last Thursday and up through last night(Fat Tuesday) was Carnaval time in Spain. While Brazil (Rio) remains the all time Carnaval, Spain still holds a pretty spectacular celebration. While Barcelona doesn't go all out, the small coastal town of Sitges (about an hour south) really embraces the Carnaval season. From elaborate costumes and floats, to singing and dancing in the streets, people come from miles to enjoy the celebrations of Sitges(considered one of the top 3 Carnaval destinations in Spain, along with Cadiz and the Canary Islands). Carnaval serves as one last, crazy, ridiculous hurrah before lent. Every one goes all out, even the children participate. Last week, walking home from school on Friday it seemed that every child was dressed up. So cute, it reminded me of our Halloween.

So on Saturday, some friends and I took the train down to Sitges. We left early, as to avoid the massive crowds on the train (it gets pretty crazy i guess), and so we could see the town before the festivities began. As soon as we arrived, we knew a party was in store. There were streamers and confetti everywhere. We explored the small town, really enjoying the beautiful beaches. Unfortunately it was cold that day, but better weather than Barcelona (where it rained all day). The town was absolutely gorgeous, and we were all glad that we came early enough to enjoy it in the daylight. It was relatively small, and very quaint. It reminded me of Greece. (Small white cottages, blue doors, etc, etc.) Actually the town is very well know for it's beaches (in the summer) and it's extremely flamboyant population. I guess it's a pretty crazy place in the Summer, but also for Carnaval week.

We bought crepes. (my first time buying them here, SOO good). I got banana and nutella! It was amazing. After relaxing on the beach and enjoying our crepes, we continued to wonder around the city. It was pretty dead. (everyone must have still been sleeping, or else prepping for the night's activities). We decided to just chill in a bar until things started to liven up.

After leaving the bar around 6, we were surprised to see the streets completely filled. In just a few hours the town went from a sleepy village to a booming party. We followed the music that was loudly playing, and once we got there we realized it was like a parade. (not a formal parade, but just two bands with all kinds of instruments) People (dressed in all sorts of crazy costumes) were singing and dancing behind the bands. So, we put our masks on and joined in on the fun. It was such a great time, and we really felt "part" of the parade. We just danced and laughed with all the people around us. Everyone was decked out and having a great time.

After parading all around town, the bands kind of broke up. At this point, more and more and more crazy people with crazy costumes entered the city! I swear there was every type of costume imaginable(lots of drag!!!). So many people having so much fun. We left before it probably got to the maximum level of craziness. We were cold and had been there all day and wanted to make sure and get the last train home. It is an all night affair I guess. Pretty crazy! People sure know how to have a good time here in Spain. Maybe that's why (as I learned today in class) that the average life expectancy in Spain is over 80 years old (7th best in the world). I don't know where the US stands, but probably lower do to our stressful and intense lifestyle.

At any rate, I came home completely exhausted. The next morning though, I got up to experience some things around Barcelona. Coincidentally, the same weekend as Carnaval fell the festival of Santa Eulaila or Laia. (One of the patron saints of Catalunya). Laia is remembered as a children's saint because she died so young (at age 13, protesting in defense of Christian persecution). It is a very sad story, but she is warmly remembered by the Barcelona community. This festival is for children, and features many activities suitable for young kids (and foreigners who find everything fascinating, like me). Part of the festival features a parade of large costumed characters. The figures are called "gegants" and are a typical part of special Catalan festivals. The figures were huge, and represented different important people in Catalan's history. There were over 50 of these massive figures. It was quite impressive to witness, and very fun to see all the children enjoying the parade so much. Each time a new set of "gegants" would parade by, a new band would parade with them. (the bands were simple with recorders and drums, but still very cool).

After the gegants came the part of the festival I was most looking forward to, the castellers. Castellers are a famous Catalan tradition that involves forming human towers(or "castles"). The tradition started back in the 18th century, and has continued today. Like the gegants, castellers are popular at many festivals and town events.

I had heard about the castellers and seen pictures, but nothing compared to seeing these massive human castles being built live! These people are so talented and so strong! Equally impressive was that all types of people were included. Children (at the top obviously), women (petite and buff) and men (large and small). It was so fascinating to watch. They were like monkeys, wiggling their way up and down each other. We watched them build tower after tower. (There were about 5 different "groups" from different areas of town.) It is really an honor to represent your part of town as part of the casteller group. It made my back hurt just to watch though.

Overall it was a really fun and cultured weekend. It was definitely a switch going from the crazy parties of Sitges to the kid friendly festival of Barcelona, but it was such a great weekend. I really enjoy that the Spanish people do fun things like this. Not only is it fun for the individual, but I think it is great for the entire community to come together in such a welcoming way. Everyone "belonged" at both of these festivities, something less common back home.

Sunday...

Ahhh, it is Sunday. I never really thought much of Sundays back home. In fact, they were usually filled with running errands and doing last minute stuff to prepare for the upcoming week. Things are a little different in Spain. As I found out one of my first weekends here, Barcelona nearly shuts down on Sunday! Well, not really everything, but it shuts down everything that could enable you to be consumeristic. At first, I didn't really like the whole idea, but now that i've been here a few weeks, I really like the sleepy Sunday kinda motto.

As a result of no real stores or shops being open, I have found myself looking outside of the box to find cool things to do on Sundays. Just because things are closed, doesn't mean people stay inside. Sunday is the day where many museums and parks are free. As a result, it is common to see people outside with their families enjoying one another's company. Whether heading to a museum or strolling through a park, it is refreshing to see this sort of activity going on. The focus is really brought in on friends and family, and it is nice to see a day devoted to one another.

Consequently, I have gone on many neat adventures on Sunday. Last weekend I went to Montjuic. Simplified, Montjuic is a hill overlooking the city and harbor. As a result of being home to the 1929 World Exhibition and the 1992 Olympic Games, the "hill" offers some awesome features. One is the Palau Nacional. This building is really cool, and takes a long time to hike up the steps of it. Once you get to the top, though, you can see an amazing view of the city. From there, you can enter the MNAC (National Museum of Art of Catalunya). It is a beautiful museum, and was free! (due to the fact that it was free the first Sunday of the month. Score!) The museum included many sections featuring various Catalan works from the Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Modern eras. It was very interesting, and combined with the stunning views and building, an overall great place.

After the museum we wondered around Montjuic, through some various gardens, and up to the Olympic Stadium. We were allowed to enter the stadium, and I was kinda surprised at how un-grand it was. After further investigation, I found it was built back in 1927 for the '29 Exhibition. Barcelona tried to win the 1936 Olympic bid as well. As a result of the age, the stadium seemed outdated. After the olympics it housed the RCD Espanyol football team (the 2nd team to FCB) but the team was moved in 2009. The 2010 European Athletics Competition is supposed to be held there, but it looks to me like some work is needed before that can happen.

After the stadium, we wondered down the main road of Montjuic, past the Olympic Museum and Miro Museum and past the Olympic diving pools. They were so gorgeous, and featured a beautiful view over the entire city! The pool is now open to the public. I hope I can swim there before the semester ends. It looks like it would be quite the experience.

Later, we climbed a hill up to a small and absolutely gorgeous park overlooking the city and harbor! It was so spectacular. There are gondolas that run up and down the park, but it seems like a waste of money, if you ask me. It is a fairly easy walk up the hill, and not worth the 9E. There is, however, a gondola that goes from Montjuic over the ocean to Barcelona. I definitely want to go on it, maybe once it warms up some more. There are also plenty of other things I still need to see in Montjuic. It is such a cool area though, and I'm so glad I got a taste of it.

This Sunday, I went again to Montjuic, this time with Ana and Jose. They showed us a "secret" place. Also in Montjuic, is the palace where the royal family stays when they come to Barcelona. Ana got invited there for work one time, so she knew where it was. Otherwise, they try and not overly publicize the location of the palace. It was very beautiful, and had very nice views. Too bad the weather was kinda stinky this morning. It was still a fun adventure to go on with my "family." Almost as fun as seeing the palace was driving in the car. I have missed riding in cars, and it was fun to be in a car jamming out to techno tunes with Ana and Jose.

I guess what i'm saying, is unlike at home where Sundays are go, go, go get ready for the upcoming week, here it's more of a relaxed, one last family moment of the week.

Tomorrow, I shall write more about this weekends festivities. They were crazy, to say the least! Happy Valentines Day everyone. (Here Valentines day is inexistent, and that is more than ok with me :)

5 weeks!

Wow, I have officially been in Barcelona for 5 weeks! How insane to think I'm 30% done with my trip. I don't like to think that way though. I want to cherish every minute of my time here in this incredibly awesome city!

I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to study abroad. It has already been such a life changing experience. That being said, it is really hard being away from all the people I know and love. I have never, ever been away from my parents for longer than 4 weeks. I have always been close to my parents, and cherish the time I get to spend with them. We definitely have our "moments", but overall we are a very tight unit. Hitting this 5 week mark has been really hard, because I miss them a whole, whole lot.If anything though, being away has helped me appreciate them even more.

I have been really blessed as a kid. I have never properly expressed my appreciation for my parents and all they have done for me (in this regard). Ever since I was a baby (literally, 2 months old), my parents have enjoyed traveling around the country. As a result, I have been lucky enough to visit almost all 50 states, and see so many spectacular sights. This is so special to me because not only have I got to see such amazing things, but I have been able to to do it with my family, the people who mean the most to me.

I didn't always feel this way though. Ask my family. I used to be a big brat (i'm sure they still think i am at times) I always enjoyed vacations but constantly complained about "sharing the backseat" with Wes for a 24 hour nonstop journey across the country. We would bicker and fight over who was hogging the seat. (I was always pretty good at that :) At any rate, throughout these bratty years, I sometimes found myself wondering why we couldn't be like other families and go on normal vacations. I wanted to fly somewhere tropical and stay at a resort and be pampered. My parents thought otherwise. They liked long drives, camping in the mountains, and living rustically. It took me many years to appreciate how dang fortunate I was (and am). Looking back, I would never change any of my vacation experiences. I got to see things I never would have seen if we would have "gone to the beach" and experience quality family moments that I never would have had if we would have embarked on the more typical "family vacations."

I wish I could do over all my early years of vacations. I wish I could have realized how fortunate and lucky I was to able to be exploring the world. My parents (my mom in particular) wanted to provide us with educational and adventurous opportunities, and unfortunately, many times I did not fully appreciate what I was seeing and doing.

I have so many wonderful memories that I will never forget. From Jackson Hole, Wyoming (the Hall family all time favorite spot), to Sugarloaf Mountain, to the Rio Grande, many of my best memories so far in life have come from times I've spent with my family.

I don't know if they realize how appreciative I am, but I hope they do. Without instilling that sense of adventure in me (since infancy), I probably never would have embarked on my current adventure. They are my inspiration, and I hope one day I can be as neat of parents and take my kids on as cool and unique trips as they have taken me on.

Everyday when I see something cool, I wish they could be right by me experiencing it too. Thankfully, sooner than later, they will get to embark on their own little European adventure. I can't wait to share this experience with them. Until then, I will continue to miss and love them!

Another Week

Geesh, another week has flown by. Nothing too major occurred this week. School is picking up pace. It seems like every class involves multiple speeches, group work, and a midterm and final. In addition, a lot of my classes include field studies. Field studies (or mini field trips) are a nice way to break up the monotony of typical class, and also to give us real life examples and experiences of what we're learning in class. That is one really awesome thing about living in a city. You have access to so much stuff to enhance your learning experience.

This Monday was my first field study. It was to El Raval, a district right off Las Ramblas. I had never explored there so it was neat to get to go. The field study was designed to see various important areas and places in El Raval. In order to find them we had to ask people (it was for Spanish class). We were all so worried about finishing in time that speaking to people seemed so easy. It always seems like when your least concerned about speaking and you "just do it" that it is the easiest. After the field study we had to write a composition (in Spanish) about our experience. I had Ana look over mine before I turned it in. I was a little embarrassed because it was pretty juvenile sounding, but it was easier than I expected. Maybe I am getting better at Espanol (or Spanglish at least)

On Wednesday morning I had another field study for my class, Barcelona The City as a Place to Live. We explored the Gothic Quarters. It was very interesting, and although I've already explored it a lot, our teacher explained us some small nuances that I may not have caught on to had I not had a guide. One thing that stuck out from the trip was that although I thought last weekend's trip to Tarragona was unique because we got to explore such old ruins, it turns out the Barcelona has equally as old of ruins. Tarraga and Barcino (as they were once called) were both towns of Roman importance. (although Tarraga had much more importance than Barcino). We saw the columns (which were very well preserved) of Augustus' palace (in Barcelona). I guess it is cool to know that we have equally as old and historic things here too(just not nearly as many as in Tarragona).

I'm really enjoying all the walking I can do here in Barcelona. Unlike back at home where even a simple destination involves driving, here I can get to and from most places without having to set foot on public transportation. I find walking to be very refreshing, and a good time to clear my mind. Also, walking is a good way to improve my Spanish (by hearing bits and pieces of conversations) and also improve my knowledge of the city. I try and take new routes to school when I have time. It is interesting because each new route involves learning so many new stores. There are just so many stores and restaurants, it is unbelievable. Even on the main street that I frequently walk on, I find myself seeing a "new" store each time I walk it.

On one of my excursions home, I was cutting through some back streets and I saw all these huge stores filled with really cool things. I walked in a few of them and was really confused because everyone would greet with "mayor." I thought it was just something nice, so i'd say hola, and peruse through the store. One store I actually purchased a really cool shawl for 3E! The stuff was so insanely cheap, I couldn't resist. After coming home and asking Ana about the area of town, she informed me that it is a wholesale area, where only special buyers (with a card that says they own a store) are allowed to purchase things. I guess that's what the word mayor means. At any rate, I guess that explains why the stores were fairly empty, and people were giving me strange looks. Oh well, live and learn. The woman probably felt bad about my confusion and just sold it to me. That's one thing about being here....I've learned to embrace awkward situations. At home I try and shy away from looking stupid, but here I know I am going to look stupid because there are so many unfamiliar barriers (language, culture, and basic way of life differences) that I'm bound to look like I don't know what's going on. I just go for it.

One night this week we went to a free museum that featured a cool exhibit about Eixample, the area of town I live in. The Eixample is an extension of the city that was planned and designed by Ildefons Cerda. Cerda's design was to make the city very grid-esque. The expansion occurred in the late 1800s after the walls of the medieval city were torn down in 1860. Still today it is considered to be one of the most unusual urban space in Europe. The idea of the community centered around blocks of housing that were octagonal, rather than a typical square. (as to avoid sharp edges, and make transportation move more efficiently). The exhibit was huge, and it was neat to see, especially since we live in Eixample and so we could easily pick out which one our house was in all the models and pictures.

Many of the buildings in the Eixample, were designed by famous Modernisma architects including Gaudi, Cadafach, and Montaner. Yesterday, I went on a walking tour called "Modernisme." It explored many of the modern building and facades that Barcelona has become famous for. Unlike my other tours which featured the central areas of town, it was great to learn more about the outskirts (including Eixample). On the tour one of my favorite buildings was the Palau de la Musica Catalana, designed by Montaner. I only saw the outside (I've heard the inside is even more phenomenal) but even the outside was gorgeous. From unique brickwork to cool sculptures and intricate mosaic tile work, the Catalan Music Palace was beautiful. I definitely want to go see a show there and experience the inside. I also really enjoyed Casa Batllo, one of Gaudi's stunning creations. We also saw Gaudi's Casa Mila. I was less impressed with this, but I heard it is very cool to go inside. Overall the tour was really informational, and helped me learn more about the importance of modern architects and their great and lasting effects on Barcelona.

Last night I went out to two really cools bars. I'll just briefly describe them since this blog is getting long. One was a fairy tale bar complete with a forrest, waterfalls, a wishing well, castles, and chirping crickets. It was pretty cool. Next we went to a bar that was called Hook. It was decked out in a pirate theme (like the movie Hook) and I guess it had some historical significance. I can't recall or figure out what though.

Today we ventured on a day trip to Montserrat, a mountain top monastery about 30 miles Northwest. We took the train from Barcelona.It was a beautiful ride across the countryside and then all of a sudden this seemingly random mountain range just appeared. Later, I read that the range in "just 6 miles long and a result of ten million years of geological upheaval and erosion on a conglomerate that once lay beneath the sea." According to my guidebook, archaeological finds in several of the caves revealed human presence since Neolithic times (4000 BC), but the real story begins (according to legend) in 880 AD when apparently the Virgin Mary appeared in a cave. This claim caused excitement and later 4 chapels were built in the area. Thus began the enthrall with Montserrat. In 1025 the Monastery was founded, and a black wooden image of the Virgin Mary was carved. This image is still on display today and many Catalans make the pilgrimage to see the figure. (In 1881 the Virgin of Montserrat was declared Catalunya's patron saint). Disaster struck this small mountain top monastery twice, once when Napoleon's troops destroyed much of the monastery, and once during the civil war. Fortunately the Monastery has survived and today it is home to about 30 monks.

After arriving at our train stop, we observed the beautiful and dramatic mountains for a few minutes before taking the gondola up to the monastery. The gondola offered fantastic views of the mountains above, and river below. At the top we could see clear to the Sea one way and clear to the snow capped Pyrenees the other way! At the top we explored around for sometime, taking in the spectacular views and unique rock formations. We did a small hike (there were a lot more rigorous and spectacular hikes, but it was pretty windy and chilly today, and I'll wait for my parents to hike to the very top:-)

At any rate it was a really cool and beautiful experience. Very peaceful and nice to get some fresh air! After spending about 3 hours looking around, we headed back down. Before doing so, however, we hit up a local market (where people from the local villages bring their goods to sell. Lots of yummy cheeses, honey, and fig things. I bought one cause it was just so pretty, and I felt good supporting these people.)

Overall it was a great and beautiful day. I'm pretty tired from all our walking, but getting out of the city was a nice change of pace. Tomorrow I hope to go to a museum here(Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya...it's free the first Sunday of the month!) and explore Montjuic. (where the Olympics were).