GGGGOOOOOOAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLL

On Friday, I visited Gaudi's La Pedrera. This was the last house he built during his lifetime, and the images are very famous and often associated with Barcelona. I really enjoyed the house and I learned a lot about Gaudi. I couldn't resist a headset!! I was also able to (finally) pick up my articket- an extremely discounted entrance to the top 7 museums. I am coming back cultured!

Montserrat, meaning jagged mountain. GORGEOUS! BREATHTAKING!

The pictures do not do justice.

I traveled to Montserrat, about an hour from Barcelona, this Saturday. Montserrat, as old as 880 AD, was known for being secluded. We hiked the mountain, and WOWEE was I winded. It felt like 80% grade. Seriously. But it was a fun adventure, the wind was whipping!

The hike lasted all morning, with a little light commentary from a guide and several “photo-ops.” We reached the top and had the option of the soft route or hard route back… I obviously took the hard way. Many mocked my choice of moccasins, but when I reminded them that moccasins are how the Native Americans whisper walked in the forest, the scoffs ceased.

After calamari and patatas bravas (my favorite!), we spent the afternoon in the art museum and finally had a chance to touch the Black Madonna! The black depiction of the Virgin Mary. Very cool- especially because all the Mounties had to read The Secret Life of Bees.

Saturday night…. My first FC Barca futbol game!! FC Barca vs. Getafe. I’ve never been more hyped for a sporting event! The stadium is the largest futbol stadium in Europe, and even though this wasn’t a “big name” game it was PACKED!! The crowd was roaring! There was not a dull moment. Barca won! 2-1. Getafe scored a last minute goal on a penalty, and the fans tend to get a little heated !

As you know, it was a sports filled weekend, with the Superbowl on Sunday night. I couldn’t forgo weekly salsa lessons so I reported to my lesson and ended up staying there for the game with the 8 or so people we had recruited for lessons. The bar was supposed to close at 3am… but since we were there for the game they kicked everyone out except the Americans! WOOWEE! Oh, and also the Spanish guy with a Saints Jersey who only yelled “GO SAINTS!” It was a VIP Superbowl party in Barcelona with salsa lessons on the side.

I have tons of pictures AND a cord!!! They are on the way, I promise. I have them on my computer but am having trouble uploading them. I think the internet might not be strong enough on my laptop? Does this make sense to anyone who knows anything about computers? I'm the wrong girl for that! No matter, I think I'll bring the photos to IES on my usb key and you can see me very soon :) (Don't be jealous, Colgate friends, but I sometimes wear JUST a t-shirt here! No jacket necessary!!!)

Life around Barcelona is really picking up speed! Soon enough I’ll have not a moment to spare, with Carnavale, Paris, and visiting friends next on the docket!