Merce

So there is a wild celebration in Barcelona -- Merce. It took place 23-27 of Sept. Everything in the city shuts down (surprise). Stores close, banks aren't open (again, SURPRISE). I swear, these people never work. Any excuse to close the stores and banks there is, they use it. Merce is a saint that protects Barcelona, so Barceloneses celebrate it. Plus, it's another excuse to exhibit their Catalonian pride.

These giants were crammed into Plaza San Juame and there are people inside them to make them dance. Each barrio in Barcelona has it's own giant to represent it. They play music and make the giants dance with each other. Kind of hoaky, but cool nonetheless. The giants are really detailed.

The last night of Merce was the best because the girls and I, along with the rest of Barcelona and remote parts of the world that decided to visit for Merce, went to Park Montjuic in Plaza Espanya. The huge fountains in front of Montjuic where all lit up and synced to music and fireworks. It was, by far, the best fireworks show I have ever seen in my entire life, even better than some Fourth of July celebrations I've been to. The entire show, which lasted about an hour, was like the finale.

You can see the fountains here and the big castle-esque appearance of Montjuic. So beautiful.

Colors!

During the end of the show they asked that everyone light their sparklers and they played the Catalunya national anthem. It was so cute, and I felt a weird sort of patriotism for Catalunya. It was one of those community moments where you feel united with everyone there, as corny as it sounds.

Barcelona knows how to throw a party which is a good thing since customer service is not its strong suit. I can't even imagine how expensive that firework show must have been. You know you're a pragmatic American when you see the most amazing firework show of your life and afterward you wonder how much money it must have cost. You then think about all the inextricable taxes and fees you encounter as a foreigner, and assume that you, and your fellow American compadres, probably financed the entire damn show yourselves, somehow.

There is no rhyme or reason in Spain. It is such an arbitrary place. At least in the United States, we pretend not to be arbitrary. We tell everyone that our decisions have purpose and that is why we can make them with such conviction. Spaniards don't feel the need to justify their decisions, or even make them in the first place really. They just do things... because they can. And that's enough for them.

Visc a Gràcia

The title would be Catalán for "I live in Gracia." And yes, I have an exterior window -- such a hot commodity. Most Barcelona flats have interior windows that usually look into the the laundry room, bathroom, u otros sitios desagradables como así.

In case you doubted me, I am actually in Spain. And yes, they are obsessed with their carne. These shops have such a distinct scent that you can smell from down the street.

This is an apartment building in Sitges, a gay friendly beach town along the Costa Brava. It´s all artsy and cute there; I loved it there so much that I could cry. Es tan preciosa.

So, if you know me at all you know that I have an obsession with figs. I love them in any form -- dried, in jam, and most of all FRESH (black mission are my favorite). I have never seen so many fresh figs as I have here in Catalunya and they are all so juicy and delectable. Here's a taste of heaven, or at least a picture of it...

This is the crazy Cuca cat, Monste's baby. This cat rules the place and dominates the terrassa.

Apartment Hunting

So I have three weeks to find an apartment in Barcelona.
Yes, three weeks.

It has already been a week and a half and I have nothing. Though, the apartment I visited yesterday was definitely noteworthy, but not in a good way. It was located near Monjuic Park by la Plaza de España and the first thing that the blonde woman showing me the apartment says to me when I walk in is, "Perdón, pero la habitación está muy sucia ahora." As if she didn't know I was coming to visit. You'd think she'd bother to clean it a little...

I walked into a dank room with a small window that looked as though it's been covered in plastic wrap. The woman gestured toward a wood door that is detached from its hinges, leaning against the closet that it's supposed to cover. "The door will be fixed," the woman guarantees me. "Yo sé que la habitación parece diferente que las fotos del internet, pero las fue tomada cuando yo viví aquí con mi novio." Right.

I then glanced down at her stomach to see she was "embarasada." There is no way I'm living with a pregnant woman. Pregnant women turn into babies, and babies equal crying. No. Thank. You.

"Who else lives here?" I asked.
"Oh well I live in this room con mi novio." Hmm, I wonder what they do in their free time. "And two other chicas live here, and a man from Inglaterra too. The man, he sleeps all day and works all night. I never see him."

"So do you want to give me fianza?"
Is she serious? She really thinks after the broken door, messy room, and broken desk that I noticed on the way out, that I really want to live there. That's funny.

Today went better though. I found a place in the Borne neighborhood of Barcelona where the Barcelona government buildings are located. I don't think I'm going to take the place because it's a bit expensive and the lady there smokes which I'm not so keen on. Plus, she wouldn't allow me to have any guests, should someone from the U.S. want to visit me. But the Borne neighborhood is SO cool. There are tiny little streets everywhere with hip coffee shops and neat boutiques. It feels so avant-garde and cozy. I HAVE to live there, I've decided. Even if I only have a week and a half to find a place in Borne. It will be done. Even if I have to live in another place for a month or so until I find a place in Borne. It will be done.

It must.

Te Quiero, Barcelona

So, I've been in Barcelona a week now and this is my first post. I am so busy here between running around the city, trying to find an apartment and doing all my schoolwork. Today I actually got to be a tourist though and saw La Pedrera, La Sagrada Familia, and Guell Park all by architect Antoní Gaudí. He used normal objects from nature to influence his architecture. The guy had to be a little trippy though, coming up with all the crazy stuff he did. After visiting Gaudi´s designs, we continued on to see more of the modern art in Barcelona. We also visted the Fundació de Miró. I love Joan Miró. Primary colors and simple drawings. Or are they?

Here's a photo of someone I don't know. Ha, I know. It was just so perfect that I couldn't resist taking it.

Also, I haven't been eating all that much for lunch these days. Right now I'm staying in a dorm and they don't serve us lunch. I end up pilfering the bread served at breakfast and, if I'm lucky, a piece of fruit for lunch. It's very expensive here. Is it bad that I'd rather save money on food so I can by a metro ticket to the beach after class?

Adieu, United States

Today is my last day in the United States. I leave for Barcelona tomorrow afternoon from Chicago O'Hare and I'm driving up from my house with my parents early in the morning to get to Chicago.

It has been a good day. I woke up early and went for a run, something which I hardly ever have the motivation to do early in the morning. I love running but generally it's not the first thing I crave when I awake each morning. But perhaps today someone knew that it was my last day in America for a year and decided to make the weather my favorite kind. The clouds were grey and ominous as they took over the sky, rolling in over the now six-feet-tall corn husks. It was a bit drizzly and only sixty-eight degrees, offering a light breeze solely to those awake early enough to take advantage of it. Running through Lake of the Woods was so peaceful. The only things I could hear were the trees blowing in the wind and my own feet hitting the pavement. I decided to turn off my iPod music. Sometimes I enjoy the silence.

I came back to my house and made my typical oatmeal and fruit breakfast with coffee. My bud Emma then came over and we had one of our glorious conversations over some more coffee. I love talking with her because we comment on all the unsaid aspects of life upon which we totally agree--about weird dreams we have, experiences we want to have, and adventures that we can only hope to have, about how you have to work at being happy, about who we are and who we want to be, about dogs and books, and anything that our stream of consciousness allows. They're not always deep conversations, but they are always interesting.

Anywho, I have some last, last-minute packing to do. Then I am going to spend some time with my kitty and watch The Mentalist with my parents tonight.

My next post will be from Spain. Ciao!

Barcelona

I went to the Spanish consulate in Chicago the other day to pick up my visa. I am now even more excited to study in Barcelona for a year! I will leave in exactly one month from yesterday, that is August 21. To my fellow countrymen and women: ¡extranaré por supuesto, pero sí me visitan, iremos a tapear! To honor my excitement, here are a few songs of Barcelona based/inspired music groups. Pero, sí quieres, tengo más "deep cuts."

1. Wa Yeah!- Antonia Font 2. Todo Tiende- Ojos de Brujo (gotta love the flamenco/hip hop fusion) 3. La Flaca- Jarabe de Palo 4. Barcelona- Giulia y los Tellarini (from Vicky Cristina Barcelona which is an overrated movie, so don't see it. But Penelope is good, so you might want to watch it anyway).

In other news, Penelope Cruz is the face of Mango, a Spanish based label. I really have nothing else to say about Mango or Penelope Cruz. I just like this photo and I want that coat.