home sweet home :)

Falling into my lumpy mattress to the sounds of dogs barking and Spanish television has never been a more pleasant experience. There's nothing like the isolated, small, quiet town of Tarragona to make one appreciate the excitement of FABULOUS Barcelona. Oh how I missed seeing crowded metros, traffic and PDA. (I'm actually serious.)

As usual, I may be exaggerating a little bit. The WHOLE thing wasn't miserable. There were some really fun parts. Pictures later. OUT TONIGHT! and yay for being home!!!!

vino vino vino

Today's activity: wine tasting!

Shocked? I know. I feel so sophisticated. Actually, I learned a lot. He taught us how to recognize aged wine from newer wine just by looking at the color, the "legs," how it smells, etc. Also did you know the difference between white wine and red wine is that they skin the grapes to make white wine and leave the skin on to make red?? Who knew.
I usually don't like wine but this was a good introductory course because I learned that I like white wine over red (although Sangria is still my fave).


We leave tomorrow for Tarragona! Stay tuned for pics and deets.

xoxoxo

flamenco

A few nights ago I saw a live Flamenco dance! Flamenco is not tradition in Barcelona, but it originated in Spain (Andalucia). There was a live band with 2 dancers. The dancing was really similar to tap-dancing and I actually knew how to do some of the moves they did!! (paddle rolls, lyd!) The dance itself was really sweaty and intense. They didn't really smile at all but it was still passionate and beautiful.

Here are some pictures I took! I'm really proud of them.

rain, rain, go away

ANOTHER rainy day. Although I was forewarned I would be arriving during rainy season, its been like DAYS. Can a brotha get a taco? At least now I can rest assured it was worth wearing my Hunter rainboots on the 8 hour plane ride (since they wouldn't fit in my suitcase.)

Some American things I'm missing today:
-my white American Apparel v-neck
-having a car
-the intense variety offered at American Starbucks (they have a limited menu here) AND being able to order from someone who speaks English

Parc Guell

Um, excuse me. Please refer back to my very first post ever. I AM HUGGING THAT LIZARD. Thank you that is all.

La Boqueria Round 2

2 Boqueria juices and a bag of chocolate later, I'd say we had a pretty successful trip to the local mercado. However, it did make me appreciate the convenience of food in America. For example, I can buy a ham sandwich at Panera without having to buy the pig's entire leg (hooves included) and butcher it, cook it, and carve it myself.
This one line of hanging animal carcass legs had been on display for THREE YEARS. And they were selling for 138 euro each. That is not normal.


If 3-year-old, raw pig legs didn't increase your appetite, maybe I can interest you in some dead, slimy octopus over ice, or a whole rabbit (eyes, teeth, organs and all), which they also have for sale at La Boqueria. Ew I feel sick just thinking about it. At least you didn't have to experience the STENCH up close and personal. Talk about considering vegetarianism.

BLAAAHHH IMA CRACKIN FROM THE SEAA
(thanks stacy for providing me with photographic evidence)

On a lighter note, its apparently socially acceptable here to spoon in the middle of the streets motionless. I think this is supposed to be a form of entertainment or theater? But people were freezing in random positions for a couple minutes at a time and posing with coconuts and eggs. This really confuses me. But its really entertaining at the same time!

Public Display of Cuddling (again, thanks stacy)

and I remembered my camera this time!! some other photos I took..

(eggs are kept at room temperature here. think about it. its weird.)

FAVORITE THING EVER
this time i had blackberry coconut (comparable to Graeter's Blackraspberry ice cream, but FRESH!) and strawberry pineapple MMMMM. i WILL try ever flavor before i leave.
im up to like 6 now.

DRAGON FRUIT. is so pretty.

THERE
IS
A GOD.
NOW DO YOU SEE WHY THIS PLACE IS MY HEAVEN??!?
oh my goodness I was just there a few hours ago and I want to go back just looking at these.

Sadly I finished almost an entire bag of gummi bears containing 7 servings while writing this. My chronic sugar craving is insatiable. I will never feel like I've had enough SUGARRR!!

PICASSO!!!

I don't think I can express in words how enthused I am about this. The Picasso tour/museum had to have been one of my favorite things I've done so far in this city. It started with a walking tour that took us throughout the the city. We saw where Picasso's family started a restaurant, where he went to art school, where he opened his first gallery, etc. Did you know that in 1901 when he opened his first gallery he didn't sell ANYTHING. He was a complete failure. But now look how famous he is! I find that truly inspiring. See, you might just have to wait until you're really old/dead to hit your peak so just be patient.
Ok enough talking. I just want to show you some of the pictures I took because I am SO excited about this.

picasso's family opened a restaurant here called 4 Cats
(you can kind of see the sign in the bottom right corner)

this is where picasso went to art school! how cool is that!
maybe if you take classes there you'll be as good as him

statue inspired by him

building covered in figures inspired by Picasso's early style of drawing

(I wasn't allowed to bring my camera in the museum, but I found a picture of one of my favorite paintings we saw there.) This next painting is literally like the size of a wall. He did this from his IMAGINATION when he was only FOURTEEN. With my face one inch from the glass, I made my excitement very clear to the guy standing next to me when I kept repeating, "That is ONE brush stroke! ONE! Look at that! He was only FOURTEEN!!!" Seriously though, FOURTEEN. I'm still amazed.

"The First Communion," done in oils, 1896.
This practically made me cry of joy. I wish I was kidding.

LOVE FOR PICASSO!!!! XOXO