A Semester in Provence: Barcelona! (8/20-8/24)

Well I was lucky enough to fly out of the states not alone but with Jake! I really appreciated him lifting my carry-on into the overhead bins for me. Three flights, a bus ride and 26 hours later we finally made it to Barcelona. Saint Jordi hostel was wonderful. The staff was incredibly friendly and always eager to tell us the quickest ways to get around and what restaurants to eat at. With the staff's tips and Jenna's sisters suggestions (she had studied abroad in Barcelona), we had a really fun and fulfilling 4 days. We saw the sights and lived up the nights!(sorta). It's no wonder why the Spanish people take siestas, we found out that a night out typically entails going to a bar at around 10 or 11, hanging out and drinking there until about 1 or 2 and then hitting up a club, and dancing all night until 4 or 5 am. Needless to say, we were the pansy Americans who always went back early. But at least this allowed us to get up at a decent hour (okay well noon may not be that decent) and see some sights. Park Guell, a really cool park on top of a hill designed by Goudi with spectacular views of the city, was a definite highlight, as well as Las Ramblas, a street in the city center with shops and vendors and performers galore. Also on Las Ramblas is La Boqueria, a huge open air market with every kind of food you can imagine.

After many pitchers of Sangria, patatas bravas (our favorite tapa), and jamon (the spanish are obsessed with ham, it is literally everywhere) it was time to say goodbye to Barcelona and head to Valencia. As we trudged our way through the metro with our backpacks (for me a rolly-suitcase) I was almost robbed. As we got onto the metro, I lifted my suitcase in before me and set it on the ground. Then the guy in front of me grabbed the pole, and then wouldn't budge. I was just inside the metro and people were still behind me trying to get in. I was confused because there was so much space in front of the guy, and I couldn't figure out why he wasn't moving! Then a man behind me starts yelling and hitting my suitcase. I was so confused and I was trapped. I couldn't move, these guys were surrounding me. Finally I managed to burst out "excuse me!" and Jenna who had gotten on ahead of me turned around and said "hey!" and reached over to grab my arm. The guys backed off and when I looked down, the little red purse I had hanging off my shoulder right in front of me, had one of its zippers unzipped. Thankfully they weren't able to get anything from me, but we quickly moved down a couple cars to meet up with Jake and Whitney. I was shaking for about the next half hour, but it was definitely a wake-up call! I thought I was careful about that, but from then on I was extra aware.

Here I will give a special thanks to Whitney and Jenna for the pictures I have of Spain. My camera managed to fall out of my purse while I was in the bathroom straight into the toilet the second night we were there. So thanks guys!