18. España no es sólo paella y olé

Basically, I wrote an article in Spanish for one of my classes at university on the idea that 'Spain is not only Paella and ole', focusing in on stereotypes regarding the Spanish lifestyle and so on. Therefore I thought it would be interesting to post it on here. Also, in the comments section is my original article written in Spanish.

"You´re always eating paella aren't you?" or "enjoying the sun and sand?" these are the most frequent questions from my friends and family back home.  But it isn't only them that think like this, the rest of the world also have various stereotypes about life in Spain.  For example, that everyone is always partying, having siestas or watching a bullfight. Whereas, in reality it is the opposite and according to a study, Spaniards work more hours than the rest of Europe and I am certain that you wouldn't have considered Spanish people as hard workers, due to their stereotype.

However, throughout my six months here in Barcelona, my opinions have changed drastically. I have realised that Spain is full of culture and traditions that I never knew existed. For example 'Els Castellels' in Catalonia, 'Els Enfrainats' in Alicante and 'Las Hogueras de San Juan' in Galicia. But despite all these festivals and celebrations, Spain has serious problems just like other countries, especially in regards to the unemployment rate, which is the highest of percentage of young people unemployed in all of Europe.

It is clear that the sun, beach and parties were only commodities exploited to attract tourists and therefore it is essential that we forget the stereotypes and remember that Spanish isn't only paella and ole.

17. Visca Barça

So, yesterday I  had the Monday blues, but what better way to cure them than a trip to Cien Montaditos  to put me in a nice carb coma, and now it´s Tuesday and I´m ready for the week ahead, with a bit of reminiscing.

Last Thursday, my boyfriend came over to Barcelona to celebrate his birthday, and see me, I think. We spent four days stuffing our faces with various cuisines, a night on the town and my first ever football match. Here is a brief diary-like explanation of our four day weekend.

Thursday 13th Feb

Cal arrived in Barcelona and to our true style, we plonked his bags in my flat and headed out for lunch. We ventured into El Born, as the weather was lovely and we fancied a walk, and we originally wanted to eat at 'Casa Delfin', just because it has my name in, but there were no free tables on the terrace, so instead we enjoyed some lovely Spanish style giant sandwiches at the restaurant across. Then, due to the fact it felt like an English summer, we went down to the beach for a nice ice cream at 'Dinos'.That night we went to see Loco Dice at City Hall, what a great night. The venue was a bit small for the amount of people, but it was good all the same. Except when I went to the toilets and managed to slip down a slope flat on my bum, however one good thing came out of it, when the toilet cleaner put me in front of the whole girls queue, at least a twenty minute wait. This night was also my first time on a night bus, and strangely enough it were full of people who looked like they had just finished work, at 4am.

Friday 14th Feb

Oh, valentines day. Well, the weather was amazing, so we thought we would take the opportunity to visit somewhere outdoors, and where better than the famous Bunkers. It has become a weekly ritual for me to go up there. It has such a great atmosphere when you are up there, the only thing, is that the journey involves a lot of steps. We ventured up there with a nice packed lunch of baguettes and beer, and once up there we just relaxed for a bit, watching the city of Barcelona below us.

Now one thing I have learnt from this weekend, is to book a table for valentines day. We forgot all about it, and I ended up ringing at least twelve restaurants, from my English phone, which means this months bill will not be pretty. However, every response was 'Lo siento, estamos COMPLETAMENTE llenos'. So that was that, we both just decided to head out on the street with the luck that we might be able to find a table, somewhere.
With a little bi of luck, we strolled into a restaurant round the corner from us, which turned out to do really nice tapas. Then due to the fact I have no idea of films out at the moment in the UK, we decided to watch ´The Wolf of Wall Street´, as I have seen it being advertised here in Barcelona, ´El Lobo del Wall Street´, it was definitely interesting to say the least.





Saturday 15th Feb

It was Cal´s birthday and what better way to celebrate a birthday than with some fine dining. We booked a table at the Arola Restaurant at Hotel Arts and my first word that comes to mind is, incredible. The food was nothing but unique and exquisite. It was also a nice change from the amount of tortilla and chorizo I eat here. It also happened to be at least five courses, and there is nothing more I enjoy that being satisfied and full from a lovely meal. The view was also amazing from the restaurant as it had a beautiful terrace which looked out upon some of the Cuitadella beach.

Then what better way to top of a birthday than a football match. I have never been to a football match, only to various museum tours at the Bernabéu in Madrid and also Camp Nou here in Barcelona. So it was a new and exciting experience to actually be a part of the atmosphere. It was Barcelona Fc against Rayo Vallecano, and I am proud to say Barcelona won 6-0. The weather managed to stay quite warm, therefore there was no need for hats and gloves, like I imagine the football matches back home. After the game, we headed out to a bar called La Tosca in Urquionao, where we had a few cocktails with friends.

Sunday 16th Feb

What should all Sundays involve? a brunch. Me, my boyfriend and my flatmates headed out to a place called Milk in the El Born area and we were not disappointed. It was my first fry up here in Barcelona and it was amazing, however the only thing missing was some good old hash browns. But, it was nice to have a bit of the UK here, in the form of food. Although, don´t get me wrong, I love tortilla, chorizo and tomato bread, but sometimes I crave a nice roast or a fry up. This meal was definitely the highlight of my day and an end to a very busy four day weekend.

16. Immerse yourself

One thing that I have learnt from being here in Barcelona is to 'immerse yourself', the language and the culture doesn't just appear and 'bam' you're fluent in Spanish; you have to put yourself in situations where you are surrounded by it.

Therefore when I came back in January I realised I had not only improved my language but also learnt so much about myself and about other ways of life, you can't put a price on the experience of living abroad. So, since I have been back in Barcelona, I have banned myself from all, well nearly all things English, and instead I am trying to succumb to the Spanish way of life, minus the siesta.
I have started reading novels in Spanish, watching 'telenovelas' and even cooking Spanish themed dishes. But the most important thing I have found, is to just get out there, into the city, and let the city show you it's amazing culture and the life it creates. Although at first coming to a new country and not knowing anyone can be a daunting prospect, it also means you are out of your comfort zone, but that is when you learn and realise what you are really capable of.

I can honestly say, that it is so easy to live abroad and not immerse yourself in any of the culture or life around you, and after 9 months, you haven't changed or learnt anything. But you obviously went abroad in the first place for a reason and therefore, what better way to see 'how the other half lives'.

Lo mejor en la vida lo encuentras sin haberlo buscando.
The best things in life happen when you aren't looking for them.

On a different note, in regards to my Spanish learning, alongside the various tandems i do,  I have  become rather addicted to various programs in Spanish, which I guess isn't a bad thing. To name a few, 'El Tiempo Entre Costuras' a dramatic series which had took over Atena3 and 'La Que Se Avecina' a comedy that i'm still not bored of. I feel listening to Spanish on television is completely different, to on the streets, and you can definitely pick up some colloquial phrases. Also, it is so useful to listen to various accents, I have realised I am now used to the Spanish north accent, so when I met someone from the south, I literally feel like they are speaking another language.

Also this week has been full of organising, various friends are coming to visit and I've also planned some trips to venture outside of Barcelona. I am also going to be taking part in 'The Colo(u)r Run' in Barcelona in May. It looks like so much fun, and this year I won't be able to take part in 'The Great Manchester Run' back home, therefore it's a good opportunity to get in some exercise and see this amazing city on the way, whilst being covered in various colours. There is nothing better than donating some money to charity and being part of something. I have also never took part in a Colour Run in the UK, so it's a first for me.

 

Anyway, it is now nearly halfway through February and I am already looking forward to summer time, I hope to get involved in even more things here in Barcelona, and lent is just around the corner, so I need to start thinking about what I am going to do more or less. The main thing is that my language can only improve, I think. This year abroad is an invaluable experience in life, and I want to get out of it everything I can.

Hasta la próxmia.

 

15. No hablo Inglés

Another week in Barcelona, is another week of chorizo, attempting a salsa dance and endless walks throughout the winding streets of el born. It never gets boring. But there is always something lingering in the air, the influence of the English Language.

In the past week, I have been busy with my new language, Catalan. The city is a mix of Castilian and Catalan, but now I'm at the level I want to be at with Castilian, I feel what’s better than a third language. Here in Barcelona, there are so many foreigners like me that come to study, and I can guarantee that the majority speak four of five languages, and that is without them studying languages as part of their degree. It really puts into perspective the lack of emphasis on languages in the UK. When I go to tandems, and get asked "what languages do you speak?" I actually feel ashamed to say two in comparison to extensive list that everyone else speaks.

Also, no matter how hard I try to not speak or hear English, it definitely lingers everywhere. If a shopkeeper or waiter senses that you are English, they automatically switch their language to English, and then it´s a game of who will back down first. I keep speaking Spanish and he continues with his impeccable English phrases.


However, what baffles me is if anyone comes to the UK, and you are at a restaurant and someone is say speaking Spanish, no one would start speaking Spanish. It just shows how the influence of English as the international language is spreading. Obviously, I understand that there is the need of an international language, but then it takes the motivation away for English speakers to learn other languages, as they know wherever they go, there is a chance that someone will speak English.
For example, my university here in Barcelona offers classes in English, and therefore many foreigners from all over come here and study those classes and yet can't speak or have any intention in learning Spanish, I just don't understand the logic.

Anyway, every Thursday when I go to a language tandem, it restores my faith in people who want to learn other languages other than English. It is full of various nationalities from all over the world, and it´s great to see the joy these people get from communicating in other languages. It truly is a great feeling.

Below is a link to the article about how the language learning cash in the UK is to be cut by two thirds, shameful.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-26041685

14. Hola Andorra

I am happy to say I can cross another place, or should I say country of my list, Andorra.

This weekend me and my friends went on a great excursion to Andorra, visiting various places on the way. But before the journey which started at 6.15am on Saturday, we enjoyed the Friday night together cooking 'Jambolaya' and watching our new favourite series, 'El Tiempo Entre Costuras'.

Our journey to Andorra started at Manresa, a lovely town with a peculiar architecture. Then our second place was La Berga, which definitely was nothing like I've ever seen before. It was basically a town In the clouds, it felt like skydiving all over again, well to a certain extent. But it was nice to get out of the city and do some exploring throughout Catalonia, and hear something other than motorcycles.


Our third stop was La Seu, a cute little town, where we stopped for a lunch break and to wander along some markets. Then about an hour later, we arrived in Andorra. I can't remember what I thought it would be like, but it was definitely cold and was full of endless roads of shops. Also, due to the fact that the taxes are different, everything like alcohol and tobacco is cheaper. However, It was still something different from the bustling city of Barcelona. The only thing, is that it is obviously surrounded by mountains and gave the sensation of being extremely closed in, it felt like we were blocked in as we couldn't see that far into the distance. I didn't have the pleasure of doing any skiing, but I will save that for another time.

13. My Life In Lists

Em dic Aidoia i Sóc Anglésa. I can now officialy say my name and where I am from in Catalan, heres to the beginning of my new intensive course, along with my revelation that I am addicted to writing lists.

So, due to my revelation, I'm going to write this blog in a list format, just the way I like it.

Places I have visited up to now:

• Zaragoza
• Sitges
• Montserrat
•  Paris

Places I am yet to visit, but really want to:

• Andorra
• Seville
• San Sebastian
• Morocco
• Lyon
• Valencia

Interesting thing I have done this week:

• I visited the Castle of Monjuic
• I ventured into the Museo nacional de arte de Catalunya
• A trip to Cien Montaditos (Mini sandwiches for 50 cent, you can't go wrong)
• A visit to El Mercat Born, to see the exhibition on Barcelona in the 1700
• My first try of Pinchos, which are similar to tapas, but not tapas.

Wow, I love lists. This week has been so nice to get back and settled into life in Barcelona, it's winter and yet the streets are still thriving and the sun is shining. Also, as I said before I have signed up to an intensive Catalan course, so fingers crossed, I will be able to say more than where I'm from. To be honest, it is a lot of hours, yet I feel it will be beneficial for the future, but 9 hours a week on top of Uni, well that will be fun. I am also planning many ventures outside of Barcelona, I only have 6 months left here and I want to see as much as possible.

Once again, I managed to find something with my name on, I'm thinking a list of pictures with my name on may be an interesting idea for my next blog post, or maybe a bit too far. Anyway, here are some photos from my first few weeks of 2014 in Barcelona.







  

12. Feliz Año Nuevo

Two weeks of cheese, celebrations and christmas films, I am now back in Barcelona for the new year.

What a lovely christmas I had in Manchester, which wasn't as cold surprisingly as previous years. Although, I was that busy trying to see all my friends and family and eating at a million restaurants as per that I now feel like I need another holiday.
I managed to go to the Christmas markets, attempt some ice skating and devour a gingerbread house, how festive. It was nice to get a break and chase my sharpies dogs around the house, however I did miss going out without a jacket and eating 'pan con tomate' as a snack. I also got to see my other friends who have been on their year abroad's in France so we got to discuss our challenges and also achievements of living life abroad.

After being in Barcelona for over four months now, I feel like I know the city, but there are still many interesting places I am yet to see. But for this year, I though I should make some year abroad resolutions: Actually learn some Catalan, Cook a better Spanish tortilla and watch a Barca game. I feel like if I complete those, my year abroad is successful. Also speaking the language fluently would be a bonus.

Anyway, today was my first day back, and the Spanish chilled way of life has sunk in again. The sun was shining, I have a lovely new flatmate and the coffee smelt good. What more do I want.
So here I go again with the Spanish university life, I am hoping that this semesters classes are slightly more useful than the last but we shall see.

Also I managed to do a few articles in my last semester on my life here in Barcelona, and here is one of them. It is on 'Art in extraordinary places', as in Barcelona, art is never far away.
http://www.thirdyearabroad.com/spanish/item/2186-barcelona-art-in-extraordinary-places.html


Just before Christmas I also managed to add another amazing view to my list of views: El Tibiadbo, a theme park on top of a mountain, incredible. I definitely feel like a scarp book just based on views is on the cards,