I don’t dread Mondays here because I know I am actually going to do something. I love exploring a new culture. I think that is what I love so much about being here, is that it is so different from home, the ways of society, the language and the culture. After Spanish class I went on a walking tour of El Gotico and learned about the cities colorful past. I saw the government building, the monastery quarters, opera house, bomb shelters, and old churches. The tour guide taught us little facts about the country that sets it apart from the rest of Spain and the US. One that I think should be celebrated in the US is Saint Jordi’s day where you give a lover a rose and the boys get books. A rose symbolizes the famous biblical hero George slaying a dragon and from its blood came a rose. 8.5 million Roses sell and 3 million books on St. Jordi’s in Spain. I think that it is a cute holiday and this year I am celebrating it!
After the tour we ate Falafels. Chickpeas in a gyro from Israel. And they were so good! I have tried the strangest things here, but I have only had good results! Falafels are a friend favorite now! I learned that my name is Jewish, and in the middle ages Rachel was never used as a Christian name.
Katie and I walked to la Playa!
It was my first time playing in the Mediterranean, and it felt like Lake Superior, but salty! I loved the wind blowing in my hair, collecting shells and walking barefoot along the beach! When walking to the beach, it almost felt like you were in Florida! I love the water so much! I am going to be there every day from now on! The sound, smell and hustle and bustle of the coast are amazing. Katie and I spent hours down there watching fishing boats and wading in the water and walking the boardwalk! I love the ocean here!
I can’t wait until it gets a bit warmer, but sitting on the beach without a coat was an amazing start! The Mediterranean has so much culture dating back into history! Thinking it was the setting for so many historical pieces and is considered the center of World History. And I played in it!
Van Gough once said “The Mediterranean has the color of mackerel, changeable I mean. You don't always know if it is green or violet, you can't even say it's blue, because the next moment the changing reflection has taken on a tint of rose or gray.” He couldn’t have described it any better. I can’t wait to learn the history behind this body of water. I am touching water that Homer wrote about and Picasso painted! This is why I love Europe. This history is mind-blowing. And my day at the beach gave me one of the best feelings I could ever imagine.
Katie and I ate chocolate at the top of a 11th story building and overlooked Barcelona’s glowing lights. I love the monastery on the hill with the black virgin. It glows and leaves and eerie vibe.
It may be the best thing to imagine when you think of mystery in Barca.
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