Carnaval Weekend

This weekend was a whirlwind. Jen G. made an appearance in Barcelona with two friends from Oxford as well as three Buenas amigas from my townhouse this past semester- Mica, Zoey and Brittany.

On Thursday night Mica arrived! Everyone in IES had a Spanish exam on Friday morning but we found the time to take her to the best pizza in Barcelona- located around the corner from my Melon home! Mica, who is studying abroad in Italy, thought it was “funny” that we took her to Italian food her first night in Spain. It’s the closest!

Friday I got up early and took the test! More on that later…. After the test Mica and I met up with some friends for Mexican food (getting closer….). This place is called Rosa Negra and I’ve been DYING to go because everyone who has studied here raves about it. I had a shrimp quesadilla and yes, it was amazing. Mica and I wandered around a costume shop (thinking ahead for Carnaval) and then met up with Zoey and Brittany! At this point, we had a whole horde of Colgate gals and we headed straight for Parc Guell. Interestingly, Parc Guell once hosted America’s next top model, there is a long path that served as the runway. Naturally, we had a contest. I feel confident.

Later that night… JEN ARRIVED!! Bringing with her a friend who knew a guy, who knew a guy, who knew a guy…. And we ended up on a YACHT! A very legitimate yacht party, with Barcelona’s elite. Very posh, very fun.

Despite the events of the night before, Jen and I popped up early (relatively) to start exploring the city. We started by walking up and down Las Ramblas, having Spanish coffee, stopping in la Boqueria and having the traditional chocolate and churros. Next, we hit up Sagrada Familia and then needed a quick siesta to get ready for the Gran Rua Parade!!!! Lucky, oh so lucky for us, the parade ran up and down paral.lel… a very long and well known street where the melon house resides!! WOO! It was raining so Jen watched from the window but I stood out there! Later, we had dinner with the whole Colgate clan!

The next morning we headed to Jaume Placa for the once a year castilles competition (aka human pyramids). The base is a ton of people crowded around, donned in the same color, and the team climbs on top of each other creating HIGH pyramids! The top is always a kid, in a helmet pheww, who races up! Seriously they can climb!!

After this monumental (ha-ha no pun intended) event, I took the oxford crowd to Parc Guell to see what they’ve been missing. They loved it!

To cap off the night, of course, back to Salsa lessons for the GASP Valentine’s Day Special- Rumba lessons. Very difficult. I miss the comfort of Salsa.

The Real Carnaval took place in Sitges on Tuesday (fat Tuesday) all night. Half hour train from Barcelona. Really, the details aren’t appropriate for my family-oriented blog. JK! I hate to say it to the "world famous" Sitges but, really, its kind of like college- everyone in the street, not caring much, going wild…. To sum it up there was a huge dance party on the beach, a parade of predominately men in drag (Marilyn Monroes that would suddenly flash a body part that didn’t seem just right…) and confetti and crowds in the street. FUN!

This weekend..... to Paris! Bon Voyage (to me!)