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,