feliz cumpleaños a kate!

HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY KATE!!!!


Don't worry, we took full advantage of the fact that we had an actual reason to celebrate and went out most nights this week. The first night, we went to the Black Sheep where they serve FREE POPCORN. LIKE SPORTS. This absolutely amazed me and I think I showed more excitement for a free bowl of popcorn than anyone the bartender had ever seen. I spent like 10 minutes clarifying with him that it was, "FREE?! LIKE SPORTS?!!" He didn't get the sports reference but I hope all you IU people can appreciate that other countries eat free popcorn at bars too!!! See, we are all linked in more ways than you could even imagine.
Then, KATE TURNED 21 AT MIDNIGHT!!!!! We explained that this is a big deal in America to MAANYYY staring Spanish people. Next stop: Dow Jones Bar. I know, I thought it was a scam too. But the drink prices actually go up and down when the market "crashes." SO COOL. and when all the prices go down, the bar resembles the real stock market because everyone is screaming and flailing their arms trying to catch the bartender's attention.

the stock market (sorry about the poor picture quality)

For Kate's actual birthday, we ate dinner at Rita Rouge. It was reallyy pretty and we had SO much fun. Our server was awesome and brought us free birthday shots that looked like slushies! They were frozen and half red, half blue (delicious). Next we went to Pippermint, where the smallest drink size is 1 LITER. I know this is the metric system, but let me just convert for you: 1 liter is BIG. but you share! Finally, we made it to Opium Cinema where I accidentally left my phone in the cab. but luckily Alejandro, our driver, had given me his business card and told me to call him. so he brought it back. summary of the rest of the night: dance, dance, dance, dance. All in all, the perfect 21st birthday celebration.

kiwi, pineapple, and fresh eggs from the wilderness

Day 4: I want to try to write this in Spanish so I can get better. I'll translate at the end.

Hoy mi clase de espanol y yo fuimos a un scavenger hunt en la ciudad. Al fin, fuimos a un mercado se llama La Boqueria. Tuvieron la fruta, las verduras, el carne, el jamon, las dulces, el chocolate y muchas mas. My amiga y yo compramos jugo que es fresca que cuesta .50 euro. Solo tiene fruta y hay muchos tipos.

Today my Spanish class went on a scavenger hunt in the city. At the end we went to this market called "La Boqueria." They have fruit, vegetables, meat, ham, candy, chocolate, and more. My friend and I bought this fresh fruit juice that was 2 for 1 Euro! Its ONLY made of blended fruit and they had every flavor imaginable.

I got kiwi pineapple and my friend Maddy got papaya mango. THEY WERE SO DELICIOUS. and only .50 euro??! That's amazing. This might be one of my new favorite things in Barcelona. Here were some of the other freshly-made, mouth-watering flavors: strawberry, mixed berry, mango, kiwi coconut, papaya, strawberry banana, blueberry, and any combination in between. I hope you're salivating as much as I am just thinking about it. DELICIOSO!

Speaking of delicioso, last night my senora made a traditional Catalan meal. Before you gag at the eclectic combination of ingredients, hear me out. So it was a plate of white rice, topped with a smooth, red, tomato sauce (imagine marinara minus the chunks). On top of THAT was an egg prepared over easy, crispy around the edges with a runny yolk. To complete the randomness was a hot dog on the side of the plate to cut up. You're supposed to chop it all up and mix it together so it sort of ends up looking like spicy chicken fried rice but with hot dog mixed in. Surprisingly, it was actually really scrumptious.

I found this picture on the internet. It looked really similar to this,

but with red sauce underneath. Its called "arroz cubana."

All for now! Bon apetit!

Days 1-3

Ah! So many things have happened in so little time. Let me catch you up:
Day 1: (I don't count arrival day because I was a zombie anyway.) REAL day 1 of Barcelona, Kate and I explored by ourselves. We went shopping because GOOD NEWS: right now all of Barcelona has REBAJAS!!! Sales, sales, sales, sales... its like music to my ears. Also, there are 2 H&Ms and 2 Zaras on the same street. Perfecto. After a long, rainy adventure, we finally found a grocery store, where all the food had the same exact labels. So we had to decide what to buy just by looking at the pictures.
That night, we drank wine at a local (sketchy) brightly-lit bar full of old men, then went to Opium Mar!! where we partied til SIX IN THE MO'NIN (foreal this time, eggs benedict.)


Day 2: Orientation, barrio tour, OH and how could I forget. As many of you know, I have been on the prowl for the perfect boots for some time now. I am proud to announce: THE SEARCH HAS ENDED. I found.. the ones. They were sitting on a sale rack at El Corte Ingles. But don't be fooled by a mere reduced price, they immediately stood out among all the rest in all their glory. I saved almost 100 euro AND they fit like a glove. Whoever coined the phrase, "money cannot buy happiness," did not buy these boots.

Guy Laroche

That night, we started at Chupitos shot bar and went to a club I forget the name of (Rebilinos?) with a bunch of Americans. Yay for being able to speak English!

Today (day 3): We walked around La Rambla and went to a street market! There were lots of street performers and little tents selling flowers, plants, jewelry, leather goods, scarves, etc. Then we went to Port Vell. I went a little camera happy so here are some pictures from today's adventures!

building near Placa Universitat

view from Placa Catalunya

street market at La Rambla

Port Vell

I can't believe I live here! This really is the most beautiful city in the world.

I HAVE ARRIVED

finalmente! i feel brain dead after traveling for so long and staying awake for so many hours so more details tomorrow. but a few things before i go to bed:
-thanks to united airlines i got a FREE upgrade to business class for my eight hour flight (complete with a 5 course meal, complimentary wine/champagne/starbucks for the duration of the flight, a fully reclining chair with footrest, personal tv, hot breakfast.. the list goes on. how can some people fly this luxuriously on a regular basis and not be completely obsessed? and WHY HAVENT I DISCOVERED THIS UNTIL NOW?
-I don't appreciate whoever designed the frankfurt airport with every gate 3 miles from the next so it takes 2 girls a total of 45 minutes to walk 20 gates with 50 lb bags dangling from each arm. you do the math. (correct answer: sweat.)
-everyone dresses cooler here
-you aren't supposed to tip. ever. i dont know why i find this so fascinating.


ok just to give a visual, this is frankfurt airport. now imagine RUNNING from one side to the next with multiple HEAVY bags. (keep in mind you cant read the signs because theyre in german.) death.

adios amigos! this spanish exposure thing is actually helping i think. stay posted.

you gon need help tryna study my.. bounce. flow.

i think this song is so underrated. plus the music video is FABULOUS. both of them are just so beautiful.

enjoy!

MAKE ME BLUE AND GLOWING

AVATAR. IS. PERFECT. It is magical beyond what words can say. Regular life is no longer satisfactory. I refuse to go on with my existence unless I am an Avatar. GO SEE IT NOW. I'll go with you.

happy new year!

how I'm spending the first day of the new decade:

AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! I'VE BEEN WAITING SO LONG!




ps 5 days!