Day 14 January 15, 2009, Thursday

Spanish class today was so much fun. I actually despise the way we learn and how it is set up, but it is so interactive. During the class we had to place a sentence on each other’s backs like “Is still hung-over”, “Doesn’t remember his girlfriends name”, “The gf/bf fell for another”, and we had to guess! Of course the drunkest kid in the class got the hung-over one, and everyone’s sentence fit their personality! The boys make the class so much fun, and Jody, Erin and I just laugh the whole class!

We had to meet at the International house after class and go on the music tour! During the tour we walked through the old and privately owned opera house in town. The ceilings had the most intricate details of flowers, and huge dangling chandeliers. Around the orchestra pit, 12 ladies were each playing different instruments. Their heads were constructed of marble sculptures, but their bodies were painted with symbolic meanings to the Catalan region. We got to listen to the giant organ play, but during the whole tour we were distracted with a mom who could not control her child. First she was breastfeeding in public and then let the baby cry and crawl around on the floor. Erin even had to point out that the baby was eating something! We were appalled at their parenting!

We sat at a wireless bar afterwards and met a cute Irish bartender who helped us look up flights! We just drank beer and surfed the web. We found a really cool and cheep restaurant that served amazing bocadillos right by the cathedral. I never thought I would like tuna, but being here made me fall in love with it…. But it has to be pre cut up. No whole fish with eyes yet, but I may surprise myself at the end of this trip! We will hopefully get there! But the market is an intense scene enough! My loves had to go to class, so I sat at the port and people watched! It was so warm and sunny, and I loved the chaos! If I lived in early American history I would have defiantly settled in a Port City! I feel as though there is so much energy surrounding the people, places, and events by the water!

After class was done it was time to pregame for the night at the Club! We decided to go to Sutton, one of the poshiest club’s in Barcelona! My foot was killing me, but I strapped on my heels, my bubble dress and I was ready for Katie’s apartment! When we were there we drank and cuddled underneath the covers! It was very Willy Wonka like! These girls are amazing!

Words can’t describe them! And when 2 am came around we were ready for the club! I have no idea how people can do this EVERY night of the trip like I know some do! We walked to the club, and we knew Keike (but actually not). The club was amazing! There was a bar room with pop music, and a giant dance floor with techno! The bar room was shushed, and hectic room that was filled with smoke from all the Spaniard’s cigarettes! But they played Shania Twain (multiply 90’s hits), the Grease Soundtrack, 1960’s American Songs, Spice Girls, as well as current dance hits! It was amazing! We moved all over the floor doing our spazzy dances and occasionally moving to the techno room! We met our guardian angel there and I danced with him for a while . And we danced at the club until past 5 am. People were right when they said Barcelona is one of the largest party cities on the planet, the club was one of my bst nights here so far. People don’t judge your dancing and it is just an amazing place to have fun. Dos Besos



And then we decided to walk home when our feet hurt from dancing so much. I walked with Lisa talking about explicit things, and Arik and Katie walked together! They walked me all the way home, and I passed out quickly because I had to get up in an hour and a half for class.
The clubs in Barcelona part after 2 am 7 days a week. They have crazy shots like the Boy Scout where they light it on fire and you roast a marshmallow over it, and other crazy ones for two euros and many places! The American music is played all night, mixed in with a mix of Latino flair. I LOVE THE CLUB SCENE HERE.

Day 13 January 14, 2009 Wedneday

It was hard getting up for class today, but I did it! I loved girl’s night out! Today we didn’t do much earlier on!

Steve, Josh and I went to la playa! We took the metro and just walked along the beach! The water was so much warmer today! We sat there just listening to the waves, and smelling the salt in the air, and thinking this is the body of water that made history. Ulysses was the Greek hero who conquered Troy could have been off of the coast of Barca. Queen Isabella married Ferdinand and they sent out Columbus to discover new routes! The history is endless, all because this body of water and I am standing in it! And just the concept of it’s age baffles me. Joseph Conrad put nicely
“The sea has never been friendly to man. At most it has been the accomplice of human restlessness”
and it is true. When you look out at the water, it makes you want more. You wonder what is on the other side, and you know to an extent. But knowing your there makes you eager to travel to the unknown. You just want to see the World! And that is what I am doing. When I head to Italy in the next couple months I can look across and wonder the same thing about people in Cataluña.
It was a perfect sunny day at the beach and people were surfing on the waves! We also watched a movie being filmed at the skate park near the water. All these over pretty punk children haha. The boys are so much fun! We just walked the boardwalk, and through the Olympic village! That is one of my favorite things of Barcelona! Being so close to the water! I love the breeze that comes off of it! The air just smells cleaner and fresher, and it’s crazy to just think where we are on a map. Two weeks ago it was below zero temperature and now its 60, and I am sitting on the beach!
Your lips even taste salty from sitting at the beach for a while! We collected shells, and tried to race the tide! When Josh had to go to class, Steve and I explored the Gothic region and the old Jewish quarters. We went to an eerie cathedral with all the red candles lit, and we explored alleys that were only wide enough to stick out both hands. It was the perfect European stereotype of two American’s wandering the streets. In one courtyard, call the concrete was blow out of the walls. It showed the effects from the war! It was so quiet as well.
The Gothic area may be my favorite part of Spain, and the history makes it all the better! Stephen worked his charm with the gelato girl and we got a better deal on helado, and Erin and I ate Pallea, the famous Barcelona dish. It has rice and seafood, and reminds me of Gumbo! It was a winner! I am developing a strong liking for tuna here! (Once again I am writing at the port, and a guy is smoking a huge joint next to me!). I have tried so much food here. Generally pallea has seafood crawling out of it. But I am trying all sorts of meat, fish and vegetables! I also doubled my fruit intake! And I like tomatoes now! But they don’t refrigerate most things here, and they eat dinner at 9:00pm!


After our cultural dinner we went and watched Flamenco! I decided that flamenco is one of the most passionate forms of dancing! The singing, dancing and storytelling have so much passion! The guy singing had a constant look of constipation, and the expression that he was going to pop a brain cell the whole time he sang his colorful story! We drank beer in a tiny Spanish club and watched the show! After we went out with Miguel! I decided Miguel is so funny, but perverted! He was shoving sausages in my mouth, and asked me about my relationship and he is just like a regular local! That is why I love hanging out with him! We went to a small, local German bar, and got beer and tapas! My favorite is the pan con tomatoes and goat cheese! I ate pretty much the whole thing! That has been my greatest love this whole trip, the tomato con pan! Nothing can describe how good it is. It is plain, but sweet at the same time! I have it at almost every meal! The whole time at the bar we debated how Miguel was a tool, and how we are going to meet his Spanish friends! He hinted innuendos the whole night, and after beer and meats and goat cheese, we headed home.
I talked with Steve on the phone for over an hour tonight!
John Conrad was right. The sea makes you want more. You look into the vast horizon and it always leaves you with wonder and wanting more. I am perplexed with a new freedom which turning into content routine. I am fitting in here. But I can’t wait to be face with a new challenge, and experience. I can see why Mark Twain said the greatest yearned career was a Riverboat Captain.

Day 12 January 13, 2009 Tuesday

Martes Trece, the Friday the 13th of the Greek, and Latin American countries.




People here are very superstitious, especially with events relating to the Christian religion. It is considered unlucky to get married or board a ship on Tuesdays here, and some businesses put a black mark on their door. Although 13 is generally a lucky number because Jesus had 12 apostles (which equals 13 if you include Christ). But the two put together create an unlucky day because in 1453 the Ottoman Turks conquered Constantinople and killed most of the city. But like all other days here luck has been on my side. I experienced nothing, bad on this unlucky day in Barcelona.

This was actually one of my favorite days I have had in Barca. My Spanish teacher was sick so in class we just talked (we do have to make it up), but I love my Spanish class. Jody, Erin, and I are the only girls along with a handful of rowdy (usually hung-over) boys. After we were finished class we did our usual exploring in the central part of Barcelona. We went up and down Las Ramblas because every time we do, we seem to find something new! Raspberries at the Market were only a dollar for a huge container. At the Christopher Columbus statue we rode the giant lions, and then we went to hang out at the port.

Today was unusually nice! It actually felt like a tropical place. And the sun at the port was amazing! There is a mall right there, and vendors are everywhere. It made me think of Port city in the 1700’s! We just laid on the benches and soaked up the Mediterranean sun. The whole time we just watched people. Just like the U of M club we can join! From the port we could see cargo ships, cruise ships, mass amounts of fish, seagulls, and end endless blue sky! The sun felt amazing, and after we got gelato, and it was amazing. We also buffet shared! Our way of saving money in the ever so expensive Europe. ( I am writing this at the Port, and I just received a creepy rubia cat call from a 50 year old).
After the girls went to class I couldn’t jus sit in, the day was too perfect! So I met Steve at the Arch de Triumph. While waiting I learned how to skateboard from a local boy Gabriel. He taught me how to pick up speed and turn! That was my goal when I was in Barcelona, to learn to skateboard, and I achieved it! I need lots of practice, but it was a start! I just asked him, and he was an amazing teacher. He broke everything down for me, and I went from not even being able to stand of the board, to go down an elevated surface! After Steve came we went to a local café/bar/family restaurant! And we kept drinking because the beer was cheap, strong and good! I got pretty drunk, and I had to go to his class with him. I actually wanted to because the teacher (Andy Coles) was pretty cute, and has a British Accent! I rarely drink during the day, but today it was really fun, and Steve and I talked about so much!

*An observation about Spain! People drink all day. I think that is why many of them are so happy! I thought to myself, I don’t drink everyday when I’m here, but then I really thought about it, I do. At the show at night, it’s free wine or beer, at dinner wine is included in the meal, and then most people go to the bar for socializing! Many kids on the program go to the club EVERY night, but I could never handle that!

And after a buzzed class, I went home to eat before girl’s night on Tuesday the 13th! We first went to a bar with cute guys in the window! We soon found out it was gay bar! But that turned out to be the best one! It had Copa Cabana music and lots of stylish and social guys at the bar! And we drank Champaign and had an amazing time! We then walked to another bar and were rejected because it was a strip club! I’m not sure, but I think girls were not allowed into these clubs! We went to another bar, but the last was the best! It was a smoky family restaurant! We stayed there until 3 drinking beer and having an amazing time! I love the girls here! Going out on a Tuesday night and hanging out at a gay bar, and a family café couldn’t get any better! Being with them I realized that we all went through a horrible phase in our life. At one point our parents thought we needed to get help. And generally the source of our problems was boys. Just talking to them helped me figure out it wasn’t just me in the past. And it is so easy to talk to them. Getting fucked over by guys will help us in the long run and each time we learn. After we all piled in the cab and went home! According to other people on the program, we are already in a clique! And I wouldn’t change that for el mundo. I love them, and they are making Barcelona that much better. Being with Erin, Katie, and Jody makes Barcelona the fairy tale city.

Day 11 January 12, 2009 Monday

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.

Day 10 January 11, 2009 Sunday

So today I was engulfed with Spanish culture and the way they live their lives. I felt like I was actually part of the society of Castilians.
Though I decided I could never fit in as looking European. I tried. I attempted to look fashionable, wear scarves, not the boots, but roxy shoes, and very classy. But I stick out like a sore thumb. People can just tell and I don’t know how. They try speaking English to me assuming I am not Spanish. My long hair and blond sticks out too. But I really attempted to fit in by only speaking Spanish and Catalan and with my actions. But I can’t help with not smiling when I see people. And I carry myself differently. An old, English speaking man on the bus said American girls can stand out because they are friendly and walk with confidence. But here they walk with pride, and I guess I have no one to show public displays of affection with so It’s hard to fit in (all teenagers do this). Today I officially gave up fitting in. I am wearing my hair straight and down, rocking the flip flops, and my northface. I know I can never be fully European by my image. But I can continue with my vocabulary and “local” attributes.

Today I took Maria Rosa’s grandkids to the park. This is something every fair weathered Sunday in the afternoon families do. The parked was packed with screaming children, and the kids playing football could kick my ass any day. Kids idolized the Barcelona team here. It was so much fun playing with the young kids, and it is weird how families are so close here. Parents are always kissing their kids and showing affection. Mom’s and dad’s are equally a part of their child’s life. And they are constantly hugging and kissing them. And so many kids know English. Way more than their parents, and they are very educated in sports and politics at such a young age. I had Spanish/Castilian conversations about Hannah Montana and Futball with so many of them! A weird thing I noticed was kids played Indians and cowboys. An American game. They had the hats and guns, and were playing something that American kids generally did since it was somewhat historic (but very wrong) to their home country. In Las Ramblas there was a man dressed as an American Indian too. I don’t know why I have seen so much of that here!
A kid playing soccer had a Harley Davidson shirt on, and when he turned around it said Tomahawk, Wisconsin. What are the odds! I snuck a picture when I was walking by. I couldn’t believe it when I saw it!

I also watched the Disney Channel in Spanish today and Hannah Montana is an obsession here, but with a voiced over high pitched voice. It was a sight to see! Spain has a liking to American music and TV, that is a huge thing I have noticed this week!

Today Erin and I ate at a café by La Segrada Familia boardwalk! We had one of the best views in the city. And later that night we ate chocolate against a wall on a city street. It was a classic moment between the two of us! Two American girls at 10pm eating chocolate on a side street! We both just love walking through the busy streets. But last night the streets weren’t busy because everyone was in the bar. We couldn’t fit in any around my apartment! Young and old guys were congesting the bar for the game! Way bigger than any American football game, the bars were packed for a super bowl. Barcelona played Madrid. And it was the El Clasico! (the rivalry between the two strongest teams in the Spanish Nation) People are so into it here! It is there passion! But I can see why. The stadium where Barca plays can fit 99,000, and was made for the 1992 Olympics. Football in Europe is so intense, and it takes skill and talent. I am going to learn the game really well. I am joining a team here and attempt it!
I just love how a whole country can be so into a sport! More than American baseball or football. Little kids play football and idolize the athletes! I can’t wait to for the next game. The local pubs are an amazing place to connect with the people of Barca. The passion for things in Spain amazes me more and more cada dia.

Day 9 January 10, 2009 Saturday

Those who look for the laws of Nature as a support for their new works collaborate with the creator.
Because of this, originality consists in returning to the origin. - Antoni Gaudi




Today I was asked what the best thing about Barcelona is and right away I knew. The art and culture of Barca... People are so proud of who they are and where they come from, and some artistically and creatively portrayed that sense of Nationalism. The history and energy of the city is displayed everywhere.



Katie, Erin and I went to Gaudi’s Park today. This so far has been one of the most impressive sights in Barcelona. Right when you walk in you notice the mosaic art work and modern architecture. Everything is symmetrical too. There are pillars and his dripping caves work. We walked around and had the most amazing view and the city. You could see mount Montjuic, el Mar, en La Cuidad. The Olympic port was gorgeous and so was the Segrada Familia from the top. Every piece of Gaudi’s artwork was so delicately entailed. There were so many pine trees and nature walks here. The park was perfect with my girls. We also ate Spanish pizza in Las Rambas! It was so thin! Defiantly a future comida of choice!



This was the best night out so far. It was just a perfect late night, culturally filled experience. But with every night you need a pregame! The four of us drank at Katies! Wine and Heineken! We drank until midnight and just talked. And we connected on a level it sometimes takes people years to do. According to people on our program “we already have our group”. We attached to each other so quickly it was crazy, but great. You need friends when you are abroad. They can share your adventures with you, and you have someone you can always count on. And these girls understand me. They are perfect and there is no way after this trip we won’t stay in touch.



After the pregaming we went to Dow Jones. An American influenced bar where the drink’s prices increase or decrease depending on the demand and supply. And when the market crashes, and the lights and sirens go off, cheap booze! This was my first chaotic bar experience. The bar was so packed! It was an intense struggle to buy a drink, especially at the rate which was quickly changing! It was a competitive and social atmosphere. We met people from Texas and mingled just as if we were in a bar scene in the United States. It was just packed with people yelling and screaming for drinking trying to lock in at that price. Katie and I even peed in the guy’s bathroom! We stayed until the bars closed at 3. We didn’t want to go clubbing, though that is the thing to do in Barcelona, but we did go to Las Rambas. We bought baguettes and wine and walked down the road. A girl can get more pickup calls then she can imagine at 4 am in La Rambla. We picked up a b^2, aka bb, aka boy bitch to take our picture and have a good time with. We made it to the Port Valle. I dipped my foot in the Mediterranean. For the first time in my life I touched a European body of water! We had jumping contests, photoface expressions, statue modeling and star gazing along the Port. We walked through the Olympic port and to the Circus grounds. It was so hard to explain the time we had. It was 5 am and we had so much energy. And it felt right, like this was the best decision in my life to come to Barcelona. The smell of the sea, the sound of the clubs, the many meandering people, and laughing with my friends was faultless. The weather was perfect. From that night on I knew I needed to live by a large body of water. And just looking up at the sky and thinking of the history of Spain amazed me.



I got home by 6. After a dramatic run for the train and a received applause from the locals for making it was intense, when we find we got on the wrong direction! And the locals were so happy for us making the train! I got walked home by a gentleman who played Prince Charming haha. But the night by the water, the bar and the walk could not have been any better.


Barcelona is one of the greatest cities in the World. Not just because of the art, food, and spirit, but because who I am there with, and what we are doing with our time. I have never been this far away from home, and I have never learned this fast. I am sucking everything in and discovering what I want. In a famous quote “Here in Barcelona, everything was swept aside. The world was turned upside down and stayed there.” A week here couldn’t fit this quote better. It seems like I have been here for years, and I am ok with that.

Day 8 January 9, 2009 Friday

Laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live
This is how I feel in Barcelona.
Friday. My first Friday with the girls!
During the day Erin and I went on an adventure. We explored the tourist shops around the segrada familia and bought post cards and amazing cottage cheesy like fruit ice cream!

And then we walked to Las Ramblas and decided to take on the chaotic street. We ended up in the market! And I don’t even know how to describe this. Imagine every kind of fruit you can think of all of the prettiest colors, every wild game like rabbits, pheasant, duck, every nasty fish, every carne, and every candy in a huge square city block. It was amazing. It is crazy how people can sell produce and all of their goods, and can make a profit. It shows that small farms can make it. It is nothing like Minneapolis or Madison’s markets; this was busy and intense with the freshest and best variety! We got amazing smoothies!
But I faced my biggest fear here. I didn’t squint at the baby dead pigs only a foot long (that were smiling) or the bloody rabbits, but the fish was horrible. I know Barcelona is on the Sea, but the fish scene is extreme. I walked in the middle of the market and fish were still wiggling and were a few feet long in some cases. They were fat and staring at me. And some had their heads cut off. I started panicking and every corner I turned there were fish, and people caring them in their hands, not wrapped! I started panicking, and Erin grabbed my hand and closed my eyes and led me through it.
I don’t understand why fish scare me so much. It is a phobia I can’t get over. And so far on this trip I have gotten over a lot (will mention it later), but not this.
And tonight was girl’s night out! In the rain. Jody was very sick!
We get on our heels and headed to Las Rambas! And we picked the sexy bar. I got gelato on waffles The waiter was gorgeous, and perfect for Katie, and Erin ordered a huge sangria. We sat on red velvet chairs and drank by candle light. Everything here is so romantic. The lighting, the music, the people and the language, everything is romantic. No wonder people fall in love here, and the pda is so high. Public affection was at an all time high today, but I guess if I was in love in Spain I would do the same. And there is the fountain that says if you drink from it, you will fall in love and return to Barcelona forever right in the Cataluña square.
It was Miguel’s birthday so we went to a local bar on “his” side of town. It was in the complete sketch neighborhood. Guys come up to you, touch you, his at your, and yell pick up lines. But we finally got to the black sheep, and it was like a giant German barn (with no toilet seats on the toilets). And we met a bunch of coasties and we bought one pitcher of sangria, and they bought the rest, and a few san Miguel beers. It was 2am and I was laughing my ass off at a huge German table in a barn full of local Barcelonan teens. It was the time of my life. It was so much fun. And everyone is so friendly and mingled. Tonight I realized I should NEVER EVER have to beg to be with a guy. I should have crushes, but I should never have to put myself on the line like I have in the past. Guys should want to be with me, and last night it proved they did. So I am never going to put myself out there and they can work for me. Because I am becoming confident with myself. I lied. I am. And I am not putting up with shit anymore. I am not texting guys here, they can text me. And do. Like Jody said, walk like you own the place, because you do own the place. If a guy wants me they can show me. Guys here actually do cute things for the girls they like. I feel like in the past I was so dumb and naïve. And girls should be treated more than right.
And I realized girls can own the place. And they should.