AHH!!
So we've only just gotten back to Bilbao and settled in our hostel, but the proces was quite the ordeal.
We followed the direction to get to the hostel exactly as Celia had copied them down from the hostel world website, and we didn't exactly expect to have problems.
We literally ended up on an auto mile. Like the area was very very far from the center of town and industrial, and every single shop either sold cars, sold auto parts, or repaired cars. After walking up and down the street several times and not finding any hint of hostel or even street number, we tried the phone number. The phone didn't work. We began to panic; we were in a strange neighborhood in a strange city, contemplating the idea that we might have booked a room in a non-existent, possibly scam hostel, and might have to somehow find another place to sleep for the night. Basically, we were in a tight spot.
Desperate, we walked into the only building that wasn't an auto store; a labratory. We walked in and sheepishly asked the lab-coat wearing man at the front desk if there was a hostel nearby. 'This is a labratory,' he said.
However, he ended up being a lifesaver. He looked up the hostel on his computer, and after about 15 minutes of us holding our breath and him not really appearing to know how to do an internet search, we had a map and we were on our way!
Celia had apparently left out the key step; we were supposed to walk much farther down the street than we had expected, and given that the neighborhood was not where one would typically expect to find a hostel, its no wonder we freaked out. BUT all is well, we are here now! The receptionist was incredibly friendly, complimented us on our spanish (!) and gave us tea! We will soon have beds (they are cleaning our room for us), and we are feeling much better about Bilbao and life in general now that we are settled in our hostel that, as it turns out, is NOT located in an auto repair shop. Thank God!
More later,
Elena
Monday, December 7, 2009
Sunday, December 6, 2009
San Sebastian
Okay, so when I went to Paris, I knew what to expect because I'd seen so many pictures and heard so many stories. Similarly, when I went to Amsterdam and Rome, I knew what to expect. When I went to Lisbon, I wasn't as sure what to expect but I wasn´t surprised by what I found; it made sense for Lisbon to be the way it was I guess. I am in San Sebastian now, and its much harder to pin down. At various points on the trip, Celia and I have commented that it looks like Barcelona, California, Martha´s Vineyard, the Caribbean, and China.
The effect is absolutely incredible! It is a quiet, decidedly European city with a rugged mountain backgroud, sharp cliffs to the ocean, soft sand beaches, and beautiful lush green landscape. Welcome to San Sebastian, the unexpectedly charming and heartbreakingly beautiful city!
We arrived last night, after spending the day in Bilbao at the Guggenheim (more about this later). We took an hour long bus ride to the sea-side city, located on Spain's north coast on the Atlantic Ocean. We checked into our hostel then left to explore the town.
Its so lovely, and the people here are so friendly! For dinner, we went to two different bars to get pinxos, which are like tapas and verry delicious! I got risotto and tortilla the first night, and Celia also got tortilla but her second dish was bacalau (cod).
Okay so this morning! We woke up and went immediately to get some coffee and pastries just outside a beautiful church by our hostel. We checked the schedule of services, and luckily enough there was one at 11 that was bilingual, so we went! It was one of the best church services I´ve ever seen, the music was lovely and everyone was friendly and the priest was hilarious (he sounded like a sports announcer!) and the church itself was more like a cathedral, it was incredibly gorgeous!
After church, we walked down to the coast with the intension of walking down San Sebastian's three beautiful beaches. We both realized that we missed the ocean sooo much! It is so much more raw than the Mediterranean, and even though it wasn't the Pacific ocean, something about the jagged cliffs reminded me of highway 1. I liked it, it made me a bit homesick but at the same time I felt so comfortable.
We walked along the beach, around a large hill (San Sebatian is very hilly) and down the whole beach till we reached a sculpture at the very end called Peine de los Vientos (comb of the winds), which I honestly wasn´t expected much from but fell in love with. The sculptures, three in total, were very abstract metal and joined to natural rocks and with the background of the crashing waves, the effect was very impresive!
We stopped for some more pinxos, visited the beautiful Basilica de Santa Maria, then began a climb up one of San Sebastian's three mountains to reach a very large sculpture of Jesus. The walk was very peaceful, and we had plenty of time to just chat and take in the beautiful Pacific ocean and the panoramic view of San Sebastian. We walked down to find the waves huge and crashing on the cliffs, white and frothy like milk. We stopped for some Indian food and headed back to the hostel.
Its been a perfect day, our walk really was epic and we got to see almost all of San Sebastian. Its not a very big city but it made a huge impression on me. I really love the unexpected beauty of this city and will be sad to leave it in the morning.
Oh well, Bilbao should be awesome as well! I'll keep you updated!
Elena
Santa Clara island, just off the main beach. Source: Sergio Ausejo
The effect is absolutely incredible! It is a quiet, decidedly European city with a rugged mountain backgroud, sharp cliffs to the ocean, soft sand beaches, and beautiful lush green landscape. Welcome to San Sebastian, the unexpectedly charming and heartbreakingly beautiful city!
We arrived last night, after spending the day in Bilbao at the Guggenheim (more about this later). We took an hour long bus ride to the sea-side city, located on Spain's north coast on the Atlantic Ocean. We checked into our hostel then left to explore the town.
Its so lovely, and the people here are so friendly! For dinner, we went to two different bars to get pinxos, which are like tapas and verry delicious! I got risotto and tortilla the first night, and Celia also got tortilla but her second dish was bacalau (cod).
Okay so this morning! We woke up and went immediately to get some coffee and pastries just outside a beautiful church by our hostel. We checked the schedule of services, and luckily enough there was one at 11 that was bilingual, so we went! It was one of the best church services I´ve ever seen, the music was lovely and everyone was friendly and the priest was hilarious (he sounded like a sports announcer!) and the church itself was more like a cathedral, it was incredibly gorgeous!
After church, we walked down to the coast with the intension of walking down San Sebastian's three beautiful beaches. We both realized that we missed the ocean sooo much! It is so much more raw than the Mediterranean, and even though it wasn't the Pacific ocean, something about the jagged cliffs reminded me of highway 1. I liked it, it made me a bit homesick but at the same time I felt so comfortable.
We walked along the beach, around a large hill (San Sebatian is very hilly) and down the whole beach till we reached a sculpture at the very end called Peine de los Vientos (comb of the winds), which I honestly wasn´t expected much from but fell in love with. The sculptures, three in total, were very abstract metal and joined to natural rocks and with the background of the crashing waves, the effect was very impresive!
Basilica de Santa Maria. Source: muguin.com
We stopped for some more pinxos, visited the beautiful Basilica de Santa Maria, then began a climb up one of San Sebastian's three mountains to reach a very large sculpture of Jesus. The walk was very peaceful, and we had plenty of time to just chat and take in the beautiful Pacific ocean and the panoramic view of San Sebastian. We walked down to find the waves huge and crashing on the cliffs, white and frothy like milk. We stopped for some Indian food and headed back to the hostel.
Its been a perfect day, our walk really was epic and we got to see almost all of San Sebastian. Its not a very big city but it made a huge impression on me. I really love the unexpected beauty of this city and will be sad to leave it in the morning.
Oh well, Bilbao should be awesome as well! I'll keep you updated!
Elena
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
desastre!
A word to the wise... don't EVER let an ATM eat your debit card while studying abroad in a foreign country, it could be six weeks and counting before you get another one. AND, if on top of that you were dumb and didn't follow your father's advice and get a credit card to have in case of emergencies, you will be poor and frustrated!!!!!!!!!!!
Grrr!!! Still waiting on my card.
Grrr!!! Still waiting on my card.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Victoria Barça!!!!
Last night, I went with Dan and Vicky to a local bar to watch the Clásico match, the big game of the season; FC Barcelona versus Real Madrid. BARCELONA WON!!!!! 1 - 0!!!!!
We had to sit outside because the bar was so packed, but in the end we were lucky to even have seats! So many others were standing outside with us! The bar had the game projected onto the wall, and while we couldn't hear the official commentary, all the catalans outside provided their own colorful commentary!
Even with my limited knowledge of fútbol, it was so evident from the moment the game started that the level of talent and focus was off the charts. It was such an intense game!!! Everyone was yelling at the players ("venga venga VENGA!" "molt bé Xavi, molt bé!") and cursing the referees. Barça had control of the ball for the majority of the game though, and their passing was just perfect. The only thing that was frustrating was that they all seemed to hesitate a bit to long at the critical moment when a goal could be scored.
The only goal of the game was scored by Ibhrahimovic, and it happened so fast I almost missed it. The ball had scarcely been passed to him when he launched it, como un fúsil, into the goal! Everyone erupted in cheers!! We could hear fireworks being set off in the distance!!
I enjoyed watching this game so much! It was so fun to be cheering for Barça alongside all these locals, and I also felt great because it turns out, I have a pretty good knowledge of all the players!
SO PROUD OF FCB!!!!
Ibrahimovic, after scoring the winning goal! Source: FCBarcelona.cat
We had to sit outside because the bar was so packed, but in the end we were lucky to even have seats! So many others were standing outside with us! The bar had the game projected onto the wall, and while we couldn't hear the official commentary, all the catalans outside provided their own colorful commentary!
Even with my limited knowledge of fútbol, it was so evident from the moment the game started that the level of talent and focus was off the charts. It was such an intense game!!! Everyone was yelling at the players ("venga venga VENGA!" "molt bé Xavi, molt bé!") and cursing the referees. Barça had control of the ball for the majority of the game though, and their passing was just perfect. The only thing that was frustrating was that they all seemed to hesitate a bit to long at the critical moment when a goal could be scored.
The only goal of the game was scored by Ibhrahimovic, and it happened so fast I almost missed it. The ball had scarcely been passed to him when he launched it, como un fúsil, into the goal! Everyone erupted in cheers!! We could hear fireworks being set off in the distance!!
I enjoyed watching this game so much! It was so fun to be cheering for Barça alongside all these locals, and I also felt great because it turns out, I have a pretty good knowledge of all the players!
SO PROUD OF FCB!!!!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
dia final de Paris!
Hi everyone!
So it is my last day in Paris and I am very very sad to be leaving. Usually after a weekend of frantic museum hopping and expensive meals, I am ready to be back in Barcelona. Not this time, I already feel so at home here I just don't feel even remotely done, even considering the fact that I will most likely have to return in the near future because I will miss it too much.
But my last day was perfect! I started with a trip to the Musee d'Orsay, which has an INCREDIBLE collection of impressionism and post-impressionism. I nearly died in the room of Cezannes, his work is just so incredibly gorgeous. Degas as well, so lovely! But the best part for me was a temporary exhibit on Art Nouveau revival in the 1960 and 1970s. It was such a well done exhibit, they juxtaposed the original Art Nouveau from the turn of the century with examples from the later decades that drew on it for inspiration. The exhibit had a huge collection of 'psychadelic art,' meaning concert posters, album covers, and magazine articles!
As if all this wasn't enough, I walked into one of the rooms only to find myself face to face with the original copies of 3 illustrations by Aubrey Beardsley, who is an incredible illustrator that I am actually obsessed with right now. Aubrey Beardsley!!! I had to sit down and collect myself I was so shocked and excited!! One illustration, 'Salome,' is actually saved on my desktop right now! His illustrations are so incredibly gorgeous and brilliant, it was such an amazing experience to see them in person.
I was also able to see more Van Gogh (I went to the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam!), some symbolism art by Klimpt and Bocklin, and so much impressionism! Monet, Manet, Pissaro, Renior... incredible! I loved this museum.
Next I met all the girls in my group (Erin, Evie, Sabrina, and Staci) to take a picture in front of the other Arc de Triomph (it had to be done!) and then we all made our way to the famous Shakespeare and Co. bookstore, located along the Seine across from Notre Dame, to do some intellectual browsing. I asked a worker if they had any books with Beardsley illustrations in stock, and while she sadly informed me that they didn't, she was excited about my asking and told me that she LOVES him as well! I bought two other books instead, which she stamped so they now say 'Shakespeare and Co.' on the inside cover. Then I spent a few hours reading back at the hostel in Montmartre.
We went to a restaurant recommended by Rick Steves (haha!) which was actually awesome, then Erin and I went to the Eiffel Tower so I could spend my last night watching the light show up close and riding the carousel! Then, after stopping by the Christmas market for the third time so we could get chocolate and I could get a snack for the train ride, we came back here.
And here I am. I have fallen in love with this city and I am so sad to leave but for me its been a perfect weekend and a perfect introduction to this city that I hope to visit many more times in the years to come!
Bon soir!
Elena
So it is my last day in Paris and I am very very sad to be leaving. Usually after a weekend of frantic museum hopping and expensive meals, I am ready to be back in Barcelona. Not this time, I already feel so at home here I just don't feel even remotely done, even considering the fact that I will most likely have to return in the near future because I will miss it too much.
But my last day was perfect! I started with a trip to the Musee d'Orsay, which has an INCREDIBLE collection of impressionism and post-impressionism. I nearly died in the room of Cezannes, his work is just so incredibly gorgeous. Degas as well, so lovely! But the best part for me was a temporary exhibit on Art Nouveau revival in the 1960 and 1970s. It was such a well done exhibit, they juxtaposed the original Art Nouveau from the turn of the century with examples from the later decades that drew on it for inspiration. The exhibit had a huge collection of 'psychadelic art,' meaning concert posters, album covers, and magazine articles!
As if all this wasn't enough, I walked into one of the rooms only to find myself face to face with the original copies of 3 illustrations by Aubrey Beardsley, who is an incredible illustrator that I am actually obsessed with right now. Aubrey Beardsley!!! I had to sit down and collect myself I was so shocked and excited!! One illustration, 'Salome,' is actually saved on my desktop right now! His illustrations are so incredibly gorgeous and brilliant, it was such an amazing experience to see them in person.
"Salomé," or "The Peacock Skirt" by Aubrey Beardsley. Source: The Victorian Web
I was also able to see more Van Gogh (I went to the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam!), some symbolism art by Klimpt and Bocklin, and so much impressionism! Monet, Manet, Pissaro, Renior... incredible! I loved this museum.
Next I met all the girls in my group (Erin, Evie, Sabrina, and Staci) to take a picture in front of the other Arc de Triomph (it had to be done!) and then we all made our way to the famous Shakespeare and Co. bookstore, located along the Seine across from Notre Dame, to do some intellectual browsing. I asked a worker if they had any books with Beardsley illustrations in stock, and while she sadly informed me that they didn't, she was excited about my asking and told me that she LOVES him as well! I bought two other books instead, which she stamped so they now say 'Shakespeare and Co.' on the inside cover. Then I spent a few hours reading back at the hostel in Montmartre.
We went to a restaurant recommended by Rick Steves (haha!) which was actually awesome, then Erin and I went to the Eiffel Tower so I could spend my last night watching the light show up close and riding the carousel! Then, after stopping by the Christmas market for the third time so we could get chocolate and I could get a snack for the train ride, we came back here.
And here I am. I have fallen in love with this city and I am so sad to leave but for me its been a perfect weekend and a perfect introduction to this city that I hope to visit many more times in the years to come!
Bon soir!
Elena
Saturday, November 28, 2009
segundo dia de Paris!
So guess what I saw today!! ... VERSAILLES!!!! It was awesome! Hall of mirrors and the Kings bedchambers, Grand Trianon, Petit Trianon (Marie Antoinettes estate, I saw the door she escaped out of to flee from the revolution!) and the gardens! What gardens!! There isn't much to say about Versaille except that, in the words of Kelly Boehner, it was 'sinfully ornate!' I went with Erin and we were in awe the whole time!
We took the train back from Versaille directly to the Eiffel Tower!! We sat at a cafe and ordered cafe au lait and almond merenges and read (I'm working on the Unbearable Lightness of Being, translated into Spanish) until we were joined by Sabrina to make a loop through the Eiffel Tower gardens, past the Assemblee Nationale and Les Invalides, and across the Pont Alexandre III bridge (supposedly the most beautiful in Paris!). We then went to the Bastille metro stop to try and find a cafe recommended to me by my good friend Carl, whose opinion I trust immensely. He didn't let me down!! After being joined by Evie, we sat down to a delicious dinner in the artsy cafe, whose wall were decorated with modern art and pictures of tribal women that looked like they belonged in National Geographic. And the best part? When the waitress took us to our booth there was a cat sitting on the bench. A CAT!!! The waitress tried to coax it away but it was too sleepy to have any of that, so it stayed and let Sabrina and I pet it until I jousteled it on a trip back from the bathroom. Anyone who knows me knows that finding a cat in my chair is pretty much the best thing that could happen to me, even in a restaurant. It was great!!
We ended out night with a jaunt past the Moulin Rouge (the letters M O U were blacked out... according to Evie, it was asian night...) and a hilarious encounter with the witty workers at a grocery store that ended up employing basically everyone in the store as translators.
This city has claimed anther one... I am in love with Paris.
We took the train back from Versaille directly to the Eiffel Tower!! We sat at a cafe and ordered cafe au lait and almond merenges and read (I'm working on the Unbearable Lightness of Being, translated into Spanish) until we were joined by Sabrina to make a loop through the Eiffel Tower gardens, past the Assemblee Nationale and Les Invalides, and across the Pont Alexandre III bridge (supposedly the most beautiful in Paris!). We then went to the Bastille metro stop to try and find a cafe recommended to me by my good friend Carl, whose opinion I trust immensely. He didn't let me down!! After being joined by Evie, we sat down to a delicious dinner in the artsy cafe, whose wall were decorated with modern art and pictures of tribal women that looked like they belonged in National Geographic. And the best part? When the waitress took us to our booth there was a cat sitting on the bench. A CAT!!! The waitress tried to coax it away but it was too sleepy to have any of that, so it stayed and let Sabrina and I pet it until I jousteled it on a trip back from the bathroom. Anyone who knows me knows that finding a cat in my chair is pretty much the best thing that could happen to me, even in a restaurant. It was great!!
We ended out night with a jaunt past the Moulin Rouge (the letters M O U were blacked out... according to Evie, it was asian night...) and a hilarious encounter with the witty workers at a grocery store that ended up employing basically everyone in the store as translators.
This city has claimed anther one... I am in love with Paris.
Friday, November 27, 2009
al resto del primer dia
...so to the rest of my day! I'll go through this in bullet point style!
- lunch at a cafe along the Seine: I got french onion soup and the waitress was so nice to me! She and one of the other patrons complemented me on the doodles I was doing to amuse myself while sitting by myself. It was very sweet.
- Louvre: I got in for free with my student card and passport (score!) and found the whole thing to be very overwhelming. I don't know enough about Rennaissance art or mythology or religion to really appreciate 90 percent of what I saw. What I could appreciate very well was the sheer size of the collections. I mean, to say that the collection in the Louvre is priceless would be a gross understatement. It represents the combined collections of many nobel and royal families and past leaders of France such as Napoleon Bonaparte. Even the building itself represents the combined arquitectural work of centuries. Always, I ran through, stopping to see the Mona Lisa (so small!), Venus de Milo, and the Egypt exibit before making my way back up through the pyramid and out into fresh air.
- Tuileries gardens: I stopped at a cafe to grab a snack and people watch before heading back to the hostel for a bit of rest.
- Champs-Elysee: So right now, the first part of the street is transformed into a Christmas market! It is lined with adorable white stalls decked out in Christmas lights where vendors sell basically anything kitchy or delicious that you might give as a Christmas present. I bought myself some 'christmas wine,' which is like the deranged love child of apple cider and sangria. It was delicious though, and so warming on a cold night. Suddenly, it occured to me that I was alone for the first Thanksgiving in my entire life. As I might have mentioned, I arrived a day before any of my friends to maximize my time spent here, and they didn't arrive until late the night of Thanksgiving. So I was really alone, which almost made me feel sorry for myself. Almost, because as soon as I began to think about it I couldn't have felt more lucky. I was walking past twinkling lights and cheerful stalls while drinking wine, in the most beautiful city I have ever seen. I know that I have friends and family all over the world who I care about and who care about me, and the most wonderfully supportive parents, sister, and boyfriend a girl could ever ask for! Not to mention that study abroad in general is the chance of a lifetime! Basically, I have everything in the world to be thankful for!!!! Oddly enough, it was the perfect way to spend thanksgiving. Don't expect me to make a habit of it though, next year its stuffing and yams for me!!!
- I rounded out the evening with a mozzarella and goat cheese sandwich and some macaroons from Lauduree (thank you Emmy for the tip! They were delicious!) which I ate in front of the arc de triomph (which is, by the way, totally inferior to Barcelona's arc, no contest really. But yes it is a competition. And Lisbon looses, their arc isn't even free standing)
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Mas sobre PARIS
Hello again!
I don't know what it is about Paris that makes me want to blog, but I'm all about it right now.
By the way, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!! Its a bit strange to be sightseeing rather than eating mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie, but I figure I have many more years ahead of me to stuff myself with stuffing so I'm not letting myself get homesick. I'm in Paris after all!
(side note: french keyboards are sooo annoying!!! the a, w, z, and m are all in the wrong spots. I keep writing like this --> zriting qnd ,qshed potqtoes. I feel like I'm six again and learning how to type!!)
Today I visited Notre Dame, as I mentioned I would do earlier, and it was awesome! I managed to finagle my way into a free entrance to the towers even though I'm not technically an EU citizen (pretty much EVERYTHING is free if you are under 18 or between 18 and 25 AND an EU resident. Thank you, shengen visa!). I got to go all the way to the top! On my tour was an extended family of long island jews who were really funny; the mom especially, because they were sooo ridiculous. One of the kids said at one point that the eiffel tower looked 'very eiffely,' which I suppose it does! My tour ran into a group of french students, about 8 years old, and they were sooo cute!! They kept horsing around and a little blond boy ran into me and said 'pardon, madame.' I wanted to steal him!!! He was so cute!
Oh and the view was awesome.
Next I went to Sainte-Chapelle, which is a small cathedral built in the 13th century to show off the religious relics possessed by the French King and provide a space for royal worship. It is a gorgeous room with 15 panels of stained glass each depicting a book of the old testament or scenes from christ's life. In all there are over 1000 small scenes depicted in the cathedral, and though some were undergoing restoration the ones I was able to see were gorgeous!
Okay I want to spend some time on the Champs-Elysees tonight and its already 7:30! I should get going! But I will finish talking about my day!
Au revoir!
Elena
I don't know what it is about Paris that makes me want to blog, but I'm all about it right now.
By the way, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!! Its a bit strange to be sightseeing rather than eating mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie, but I figure I have many more years ahead of me to stuff myself with stuffing so I'm not letting myself get homesick. I'm in Paris after all!
(side note: french keyboards are sooo annoying!!! the a, w, z, and m are all in the wrong spots. I keep writing like this --> zriting qnd ,qshed potqtoes. I feel like I'm six again and learning how to type!!)
Today I visited Notre Dame, as I mentioned I would do earlier, and it was awesome! I managed to finagle my way into a free entrance to the towers even though I'm not technically an EU citizen (pretty much EVERYTHING is free if you are under 18 or between 18 and 25 AND an EU resident. Thank you, shengen visa!). I got to go all the way to the top! On my tour was an extended family of long island jews who were really funny; the mom especially, because they were sooo ridiculous. One of the kids said at one point that the eiffel tower looked 'very eiffely,' which I suppose it does! My tour ran into a group of french students, about 8 years old, and they were sooo cute!! They kept horsing around and a little blond boy ran into me and said 'pardon, madame.' I wanted to steal him!!! He was so cute!
Oh and the view was awesome.
Next I went to Sainte-Chapelle, which is a small cathedral built in the 13th century to show off the religious relics possessed by the French King and provide a space for royal worship. It is a gorgeous room with 15 panels of stained glass each depicting a book of the old testament or scenes from christ's life. In all there are over 1000 small scenes depicted in the cathedral, and though some were undergoing restoration the ones I was able to see were gorgeous!
Okay I want to spend some time on the Champs-Elysees tonight and its already 7:30! I should get going! But I will finish talking about my day!
Au revoir!
Elena
Elena de Montmartre!
Hello everyone!!
So I just arrived in PARIS last night and I wanted to share an experience that I had. I arrived here at 8pm, a day earlier than everyone else I am traveling with, and I was hungry and went to do a little exploring. I found a cute cafe to get a bite to eat... it actually occured to me at this point that I have NO IDEA how to order vegetarian in french. I haven't had that much of a problem yet... portuguese is similar to spanish so I can make educated guesses, in Rome I had a friend who is studying abroad there to give me guidance, and in Amsterdam everything is in english because dutch is too ridiculous on its own. But anyways, I ordered a soup with endives and some mystery ingredient that I am scared to look up; nothing seemed meaty, but you never know. Oh well, travel is the one time that I am very willing to be lax about not eating meat, so c'est la vie!
After my dinner, which was delicious, I went for a bit of a walk. My hostel is in Montmartre and I knew that Sacre Coeur was somewhere nearby; I had a vague idea of where it was but wasn't really sure, I was mostly just wandering. Just as I was about to give up and admit I had no idea where I was I suddenly turned a corner and THERE IT WAS!
It was one of those moments that you know you will remember for the rest of your life the instant it happens. It was just SO BEAUTIFUL, sitting uptop the hill and lit up from below. It is a gorgeous white, a big and imposing cathedral. I couldn't stop smiling! I made my way around, assuming it was closed for the night and that I could always return in the morning. Turns out, not only was it open, but there was a service going on inside. I walked in to hear the sound of a bell commanding all the parishoners to stand and begin singing the opening song, it was magical.
The view of Paris from the top of Montmartre hill is incredible. It was a perfect first night in this gorgeous city.
I finished out my night by making a stop in a small store to grab a snack and do a bit of studying in the meat section... jambon is ham, porc is pork... its not too difficult actually, pretty similar to spanish.
Anyways, I need to get going! I was supposed to make my way to Notre Dame an hour ago according to last night's plan, so I'm already late to see Quasimodo and the talking gargoyles!
Elena
PS the mystery ingredient was poireaux. I looked it up, means leeks!! Whew haha
So I just arrived in PARIS last night and I wanted to share an experience that I had. I arrived here at 8pm, a day earlier than everyone else I am traveling with, and I was hungry and went to do a little exploring. I found a cute cafe to get a bite to eat... it actually occured to me at this point that I have NO IDEA how to order vegetarian in french. I haven't had that much of a problem yet... portuguese is similar to spanish so I can make educated guesses, in Rome I had a friend who is studying abroad there to give me guidance, and in Amsterdam everything is in english because dutch is too ridiculous on its own. But anyways, I ordered a soup with endives and some mystery ingredient that I am scared to look up; nothing seemed meaty, but you never know. Oh well, travel is the one time that I am very willing to be lax about not eating meat, so c'est la vie!
After my dinner, which was delicious, I went for a bit of a walk. My hostel is in Montmartre and I knew that Sacre Coeur was somewhere nearby; I had a vague idea of where it was but wasn't really sure, I was mostly just wandering. Just as I was about to give up and admit I had no idea where I was I suddenly turned a corner and THERE IT WAS!
It was one of those moments that you know you will remember for the rest of your life the instant it happens. It was just SO BEAUTIFUL, sitting uptop the hill and lit up from below. It is a gorgeous white, a big and imposing cathedral. I couldn't stop smiling! I made my way around, assuming it was closed for the night and that I could always return in the morning. Turns out, not only was it open, but there was a service going on inside. I walked in to hear the sound of a bell commanding all the parishoners to stand and begin singing the opening song, it was magical.
The view of Paris from the top of Montmartre hill is incredible. It was a perfect first night in this gorgeous city.
I finished out my night by making a stop in a small store to grab a snack and do a bit of studying in the meat section... jambon is ham, porc is pork... its not too difficult actually, pretty similar to spanish.
Anyways, I need to get going! I was supposed to make my way to Notre Dame an hour ago according to last night's plan, so I'm already late to see Quasimodo and the talking gargoyles!
Elena
PS the mystery ingredient was poireaux. I looked it up, means leeks!! Whew haha
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
frustración
I just wanted to share my thoughts quickly about something that's been bothering me...
European men can be so sleazy!!
Today, as I was getting off the Renfe train at Arc de Triomf, this man who had been kind of staring at me for the short duration of the ride gestured to let me exit ahead of him. Then, as he was stepping off the train, he "fell" and blatantly slid his arm around my waist. I didn't know what to do but run out of the station! It was very creepy.
This isn't the first time something like this has happened. Beyond getting the honking that girls sometimes get even in the United States, I've also been called a "sexy mamacita" by a garbage truck driver and had men in the metro stations try and begin conversation with "hola chica..."
This isn't the worst of what happens, by far. A friend was told by a man in Portugal, "hey chica I want to have sex with you," another was groped on a tram, and another two friends had men leaning in for kisses and attempting to look up their skirts while traveling by train in Italy.
It's infuriating. What gives men the right to treat women like that? Why would they even want to? Do they think any woman would respond favorably to being treated that way? Do any women respond favorably to being treated that way?
Maybe it's a hyper-machismo that makes these men act this way; an elevated need to prove that they have power over women.
I shouldn't generalize; by and large the men here aren't openly disrespectful to women. It's just that the ones that are who stick out and leave me with a general frustration toward men here. Also, this kind of sexism supposedly doesn't exist in Northern Europe. In fact, in states like Sweden there is supposedly an atmosphere of absolute gender equality.
Anyways, I'm just annoyed and wanted to share. I just got back from a trip to Lisbon, which was INCREDIBLE! More about that later.
European men can be so sleazy!!
Today, as I was getting off the Renfe train at Arc de Triomf, this man who had been kind of staring at me for the short duration of the ride gestured to let me exit ahead of him. Then, as he was stepping off the train, he "fell" and blatantly slid his arm around my waist. I didn't know what to do but run out of the station! It was very creepy.
This isn't the first time something like this has happened. Beyond getting the honking that girls sometimes get even in the United States, I've also been called a "sexy mamacita" by a garbage truck driver and had men in the metro stations try and begin conversation with "hola chica..."
This isn't the worst of what happens, by far. A friend was told by a man in Portugal, "hey chica I want to have sex with you," another was groped on a tram, and another two friends had men leaning in for kisses and attempting to look up their skirts while traveling by train in Italy.
It's infuriating. What gives men the right to treat women like that? Why would they even want to? Do they think any woman would respond favorably to being treated that way? Do any women respond favorably to being treated that way?
Maybe it's a hyper-machismo that makes these men act this way; an elevated need to prove that they have power over women.
I shouldn't generalize; by and large the men here aren't openly disrespectful to women. It's just that the ones that are who stick out and leave me with a general frustration toward men here. Also, this kind of sexism supposedly doesn't exist in Northern Europe. In fact, in states like Sweden there is supposedly an atmosphere of absolute gender equality.
Anyways, I'm just annoyed and wanted to share. I just got back from a trip to Lisbon, which was INCREDIBLE! More about that later.
Friday, October 16, 2009
más Merce
Okay so these pictures are actually from about a month ago at this point, but the Merce fireworks were just sooo cool I still think its worth it to post them now. They were absolutely stunning visually AND they incorporated the Pirates of the Caribbean theme song. I am in love with them.
Ahhh the pictures don't even do them justice. The other amazing part was that, unlike America, where our government tries to prevent its citizens from lighting small fireworks in crowded areas, the government of Cataluña encourages it! They passed sparklers out by the thousands!
Sweet.
en el metro
independencia i socialisme, parte II
tortilla española
I am getting really good at making tortilla española, which is like a lazy man's quiche. Its suuper tasty though... mmm eggs, potato, onion, and salt!!
I made it into a sandwich with tomato and olive oil!
interrupción
However, I'm back now!!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
mis clases!!!
Hi everyone!!
Sorry I've been slow on blog posts recently, but I've been scrambling to find myself a class schedule. I've trekked to the Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona campus (an hour commute each way) several times over the past two weeks only to not find the class I was looking for or discover that it is being taught in catalan. I found classes that fit into my schedule but was unhappy with the content or the teacher, but I felt like I would be forced into taking a class that I didn't like just because it was at the right time in the right language. Overall it was a very very stressful and frustrating experience.
However, as of today I HAVE A SCHEDULE THAT I AM EXCITED ABOUT!!!!
Mondays:
Memory of the Spanish Civil War (CASB center, downtown Barcelona)
10am-12pm
Contemporary Art (Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 15 minutes walk from my dorm)
3pm-5pm
Tuesdays:
International Relations (Universitat Autónoma, hour commute)
11am-1pm
Analysis of Public Policy (also at UAB, in the room next door to the other class!!!!)
1pm-2pm
Wednesdays:
Memory of the Spanish Civil War
10am-12pm
then I'm done!!!
Thursdays:
International Relations
11am-12pm
Analysis of Public Policy
12pm-2pm
Contemporary Art Section
4pm-5pm (every other week)
Fridays:
NADA!!!!!
SO happy to have figured this out!!
Sorry I've been slow on blog posts recently, but I've been scrambling to find myself a class schedule. I've trekked to the Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona campus (an hour commute each way) several times over the past two weeks only to not find the class I was looking for or discover that it is being taught in catalan. I found classes that fit into my schedule but was unhappy with the content or the teacher, but I felt like I would be forced into taking a class that I didn't like just because it was at the right time in the right language. Overall it was a very very stressful and frustrating experience.
However, as of today I HAVE A SCHEDULE THAT I AM EXCITED ABOUT!!!!
Mondays:
Memory of the Spanish Civil War (CASB center, downtown Barcelona)
10am-12pm
Contemporary Art (Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 15 minutes walk from my dorm)
3pm-5pm
Tuesdays:
International Relations (Universitat Autónoma, hour commute)
11am-1pm
Analysis of Public Policy (also at UAB, in the room next door to the other class!!!!)
1pm-2pm
Wednesdays:
Memory of the Spanish Civil War
10am-12pm
then I'm done!!!
Thursdays:
International Relations
11am-12pm
Analysis of Public Policy
12pm-2pm
Contemporary Art Section
4pm-5pm (every other week)
Fridays:
NADA!!!!!
SO happy to have figured this out!!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
mas correfoc
So this past Saturday night I participated in a tradition (well, according to Juanjo my adviser it is a new and somewhat fabricated tradition, but whatever, its cool) called correfoc. Basically the premise is that people run through the streets dressed like devils, playing drums, spinning giant sparklers, and operating mechanical dragons that blow fire out their noses. Whooo!!!!!
...crazy right???
the correfoc approaches...
they were trying to cover their bodies from the fire
Ahhh!!! It felt like we were being attacked by an approaching army
They would never allow this in America
I love this picture
Why did you bring your baby????!?!?
The second wave of FIRE
The box where they kept their supplies of fireworks
At this point Marisa and I decided to join the parade!
...crazy right???
Saturday, September 26, 2009
correfoc...
The Spanish have a death wish.
More on Correfoc (run of fire) later, I'm off to see the Dirty Projectors!
colores
Color changing globes by arc de triompf... don't know what they were for, but they were quite entrancing...
Friday, September 25, 2009
Merce!
Merce is an annual festival in honor of the Virgin of La Merce, the patron saint of Barcelona, and it is going down this weekend! This means parades, shows, traditions, and tons of live music! I wish every weekend could be like Merce, there is so much going on!
The most interesting traditions I have seen so far are the Gigantes and the Castellers at Plaza Sant Jaume, the center of politics for the state of Cataluña
Gigantes = Giants = very large paper mache figures, both of humans and animals, that people stand beneath and control like very large puppets. And what do these giants do?... well, they dance! Obviously! Hah I saw enough dancing giants this weekend to last me for a while...
giant birds with... boobs?? hmmmmmm
Dancing prince and princess
~*~
Next we have the Castellers!! Basically they are teams of people from different parts of the city who compete against each other to build the tallest tower made of people!
This is how they processed in... there were five teams
We were close enough that we could see them shaking! So terrifying!!
Two teams competing... ridiculous right?
One of the biggest crowds I've ever been in... it was hot and crowded and pushy and after one round of competition we were ready to leave.
If you are interested in seeing an upclose video of castellers in action, click here!
ir de compras
My most recent food purchases, from Mercadona and a local fruit stand.
1 eggplant (berenjena)
2 onions (cebollas)
3 tomatoes (tomates)
2 peaches (melocotón)
2 plums (ciruelas)
4 pack of yogurt (yogur)
1 red pepper (pimentón rojo)
can of olives (lata de aceitunas)
instant soup (sopa)
jar of garbanzos (tarro de garbanzos)
jar of navy beans (tarro de frijoles blancos)
oregano (orégano hah)
loaf of wheat bread (pan integral)
2L of water (agua)
Total cost (costo total) = 7.90 euro = $11.16
Erin was also able to find brie for .90 euro, which is about $1.30, and it is DELICIOUS!
Not bad right? This country may be expensive, but buying food can be relatively cheap!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
la vergüenza
Navigating the spanish education system as a foreign exchange student has been a challenge so far.
Case in point: after running around for 20 minutes trying to find the classroom for our Individual Justice and Law class at Universitat Pompeu Fabra, it was finally communicated to us that the law classes don't start till next week (that is one thing that gets me about Spanish Universities; the different faculties start classes on different days! What's up with that!) Anyways, they instructed us to go to an information meeting about the law department. Turns out it was irrelevant, all in catalan, and sooo awkward because we walked in late and everyone was staring at us through the glass wall.
Vicky and passed some notes during our time in this meeting...
2 things: EVERYONE was staring at us and I reaaaally don't know catalan
we really should not be here
yeah... sorry. I though it we be good to do. Probs not. Should we walk out?
hell no I can't deal w/ the attention we'd get
its all gibberish
ahh those dudes are peacing!
omg first week of classes has been a monumental failure
SAME
i still haven't attended any classes i'm staying in
what am i going to doooo
I am convinced that classes just aren't going to work out at all
ya ¿WTF Spain?
they are HORRIBLE at educating their youth.
okay I am NOT looking to get a grau...
should we just get judged hardcore and leave?
gaaaaaaa
lets wait for some sort of pause
d'acord
To do: figure out how to get an education in Spain. Wish me luck!
Case in point: after running around for 20 minutes trying to find the classroom for our Individual Justice and Law class at Universitat Pompeu Fabra, it was finally communicated to us that the law classes don't start till next week (that is one thing that gets me about Spanish Universities; the different faculties start classes on different days! What's up with that!) Anyways, they instructed us to go to an information meeting about the law department. Turns out it was irrelevant, all in catalan, and sooo awkward because we walked in late and everyone was staring at us through the glass wall.
Vicky and passed some notes during our time in this meeting...
2 things: EVERYONE was staring at us and I reaaaally don't know catalan
we really should not be here
yeah... sorry. I though it we be good to do. Probs not. Should we walk out?
hell no I can't deal w/ the attention we'd get
its all gibberish
ahh those dudes are peacing!
omg first week of classes has been a monumental failure
SAME
i still haven't attended any classes i'm staying in
what am i going to doooo
I am convinced that classes just aren't going to work out at all
ya ¿WTF Spain?
they are HORRIBLE at educating their youth.
okay I am NOT looking to get a grau...
should we just get judged hardcore and leave?
gaaaaaaa
lets wait for some sort of pause
d'acord
~*~
To do: figure out how to get an education in Spain. Wish me luck!
Vall de Boi
I spent this past weekend in Vall de Boi, a valley in the Pyrenees Mountains along the border between France and Spain. The excursion was organized by our program so that we could see examples of romanesque architecture, but the beautiful landscape and fresh air really stole the show. It is SO BEAUTIFUL in the Pyrenees, and the culture and atmosphere was so different from that of Barcelona that we found it difficult to believe we were still in Spain!
I am so lucky I got to visit the Pyrinees! They are so incredibly gorgeous!
the view from our hotel room! look at that fog!
A romanesque church
the inside of the church... very small, simple and dark, not very architecturally advanced. Welcome to the Middle Ages.
I am SO jealous of the person who lives in this house.
the second church we visited
posing in front of some quaint houses.
We were eating wild blackberries as we walked between the churches
Old graveyard at the third church
First roadblock of the day: sheep!
Attractive pose on the river
the view from a mountain we hiked up
Second roadblock of the day: protests for better roads. The protest literally blocked the only road out of town!
(the signs read "the car can't drive on roads made of promises, only on real roads")
I am so lucky I got to visit the Pyrinees! They are so incredibly gorgeous!
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