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,

 

11. Christmas lights

So, the Christmas lights are now officially up in Barcelona, and it is starting to feel like December, minus the fact I am yet to wear gloves or a hat. Due to my accustomization to the warmth here, I am now scared that when I return to good old Manchester, I will not want to leave the house because it's so cold, especially as I am already known to be an old lady when it comes to the cold.


Upon arriving back from Paris, I can say the past two weeks have been hectic, and I can feel it getting worse. University, and not just any university, but one that gives you 3 days as a revision period for exams, is taking over my life. So I have now started revision, 5 lovely exams, all in Spanish, subjects ranging from the economic history of Spain to advertising to foundations of translation. But anyway, in between panicking for these exams I have managed to venture into the goings on in Barcelona once again, slightly more cultural this week.

It has been one of my best friends birthday, so we have been out for meals, coffee and obviously a night out in Barcelona. I am now getting used to getting the metro back at 6am and it being full of people, like it is a normal occurrence. That is one thing Barcelona will never be, quiet. I can't complain as it is what makes the city what it is.

I have also been to the exhibition of the World Press Photo 2013 at the Centre Cultural Contemporánea de Barcelona, which was amazing, and has made me want to see even more exhibitions. Although I feel like art and culture just surrounds you in Barcelona, no matter where you are in the city and it is such an amazing atmosphere. I am also starting to gain a collections of  'views of Barcelona' and on Sunday I went to one place which tops them all up to now, The Bunkers. I have been twice now, once at night and once in the day, and the view is phenomenal at both times in the day. I will definitely be returning here, it is a great spot to just relax with friends and take in the stunning view of Barcelona.

It is not long until I am back in Manchester for Christmas, so I want to make the most of a Catalan Christmas. Bon Nadal.


Here are some of the photos:

10. Paris, Aren't You Lovely

I am now officially twenty-two and since that change, I have been really busy, but one thing in particular stood out, Paris. Need I say more.
Paris is known as a cultural city full of love, croissants, snails and lots of berets. I must say I definitely felt it all, whether it was the couple kissing in front of the Eiffel Tower for more than twenty minutes, or the never-ending patisseries or  the endless extravagant buildings, I felt it. All I can say is that it was amazing. I went to visit my friend who studies on my course at my home university, and thanks to her I got to see a lot of sights in a short space of time, without getting lost once, which is a first for me. I also had a lovely reunion with other friends of my course, and it was nice to hear about all our experiences abroad. I think I also managed to learn some French, but with my horrific French accent, I doubt anyone would understand me.
I also had the chance to see the Eiffel tower light up at night, what a spectacle, alongside visiting the Sacre Coere and a place called the Artist Quarter,which was definitely my favourite.
Along the way, I also found time to try some French delicacies, you know the typical ones, snails, frogs legs and a crème brûlée, all very tasty. Basically, Paris is a wonderful European city and I am glad I had the chance to walk the streets, especially now Christmas is round the corner, and there are lights and decorations up everywhere. hopefully, in the future, if I have more than a weekend free, I would love to explore the city more, but this time with a French dictionary by my side.

9. Birthday Blues

La Barceloneta

I have had two weeks full of mayhem, a hospital visit and a birthday to remember.
I haven't wrote on here for a bit, as I have been bombarded by university work, it is fair to say, sometimes being an Erasmus student is not an easy life. Spain may be a very laid back country but the teachers sure can be strict.

Anyway, to start with my recent happenings. I have learnt that knives are sharp. I was cutting bread with my friend and managed to slice my finger, luckily only the top of the skin, and although it doesn't sound like much, it was very painful. I knew that I was clumsy, but not that clumsy. Anyway, I now know where the local hospital is and have realised I have some lovely friends who all accompanied me there! now onto more happier stories, I watched the derby game, between Barcelona and Madrid, in a local bar. What fun that was. It was such an amazing atmosphere and I would love to go to an actual game at the stadium. Although being in a bar with endless cocktails and being able to order some food at any time was a pretty good atmosphere for me.


Monserrat

I have also managed to get around in the past few weeks, I visited Montserrat, which is only an hour away from Barcelona and it is basically a little town in the mountains, nothing like I have ever seen before, that was for sure. It was such a beautiful view from up there. we got a cable car up and for ten euros return it wasn't really that bad. then once your up there, it is a little town, it was full of cafes, shops, markets and a lovely cathedral. me and my friend also attempted to climb up the mountain, however on our way up a gentleman was kind enough to tell us that there was 789 steps to go, so on that note, we headed back down!




Monserrat

It has also been Halloween, although it isn't celebrated here as much as it is in the uk, but I wouldn't say that was a bad thing. although it was a fail of a night out as it was impossible to get in anywhere and even if you did, all the places were jam packed with people, and no one likes not being able to get to the bar. however, my Halloween got better as I went to a friend of a friends for a Halloween themed quiz, the host was Mexican and very very organised. If I could choose anyone to be a quizmaster on television, it would be him. he whapped out various rounds, for instance, guess the Halloween songs, photos of celebrities changed into Halloween monsters, hanging caldrens from the ceiling, and he also said the whole quiz in Spanish and English, what a legend. My team didn't win, but we came home with a goody bag, amazing.

Inside La Sagrada Familia

However, the best part of my week, was Thursday the 7th November, when my boyfriend came to visit. We have had a weekend full of eating, being tourists and me attempting to teach him Spanish. Firstly, I managed to show him around all the main tourist places, like Las Ramblas, La boquieria and La barceloneta, but i'm not complaining as in each place we tried to taste a different form of cuisine, or atleast a typical Spanish dish!
It was my 22nd birthday whilst he was over here, so we filled the weekend with many outings  and places i had never seen! My two favourite places, La Sagrada Familia and Camp Nou.
As a birthday treat, we went to visit the Sagrada Familia, and seen as I live right next to it, I felt like I should go inside. Everyday I see millions of people queuing up outside, so I wanted to know what all the fuss was about. Although, inside of the queue, we bought tickets online and walked straight in. It was out of this world, I can't believe I had never been inside it before now. it is definitely a must see in Barcelona and a great token in the city. we also went to Camp Nou for a tour, and who knew Barcelona Fc have like a million trophies. It was actually really fun though, we got to see the pitch and the museum was so interactive, I could have been there for hours.

La Barceloneta

As for my birthday, it was amazing, it was so nice to receive cards, videos and presents from my family. It was also nice to do something different and experience my birthday abroad and all I can say, is Barcelona gave me a lovely birthday, especially the salsa club me and my friends went to.


In regards to my next post.. I am visiting Paris for my friends birthday. I am looking forward to experiencing a bit of the French life, and seeing the comparison between two major cities.

Au revoir for now!

8. Lost in translation

A month in a University with extraordinary rules, endless ventures of tourism and some amazing cava.

Firstly, I can't even comprehend the fact I have been here for a month and a half, time has flown by. However I feel like my language  of Spanish has improved, with a bit of Catalan, French and German thrown in there.
I have learnt a lot in the past month about rules and regulations here. Mainly that you can leave a lecture when you want for the loo but if you are five minutes late, there is no entering the class, or all hell breaks lose. Also, I have been bombarded by work, I am yet to have a day where I have completed everything.

I have also realized that concepts can get quickly lost in translation, and part of becoming fluent in a language is experiencing the awkward moments. The word 'awkward' also does not exist in Spanish and I am yet to find anything sufficient to put across my feeling of these moments, so I just stand there looking at the floor.
 For example, I was at my aunties the other day and when I was leaving they said '¿Tienes su movile?´ which i translate to do you have your aunties mobile, in which I responded, no ofcourse I don't I just have my own in my bag. In the end I realised they meant did I have her number in my phone.
And then an example with someone from my own country. I told my friend I was going to a tandem, and she instantly assumed I meant I was riding on a tandem bike, instead of a tandem exchange where people converse in different languages. Therefore, confusion can occur in your maternal language as well as your foreign language.


Also to update my tourism diary, I am happy to say, I am starting to feel like a citizen here, although I still love exploring new places.
The other weekend me and my friends travelled to Zaragoza, which is about four hours away from Barcelona. We went when 'La fiesta del Pilar' was happening; the busiest weekend of the year. However, it made it that much better, we ate churros, watched many spectacles and explore the beautiful city.
I have now also seen the amazing Magical fountains of Monjuic, what a spectacle! I was actually shocked at how grand it is, and how I could stand there for an hour watching water and lights. But it was simply amazing.

 I have also ventured around town, into La Boqueria, where I want to buy every kind of fruit, meat and fish, don't go there when you are hungry as you will end up buying everything, just like I did.


The highlight of my week was 'La champaneria' A little place near la Barcenoleta where you get can a glass of cava for one euro and an array of tapas, without breaking the bank. Also to top it all off, you have a bit  of that pure Spanish culture as there are no seats, so everyone stands round the bar, drinking and munching away, what a great ambience.


"Barcelona is a very old city in which you can feel the weight of history; it is haunted by history. You cannot walk around it without perceiving it" -Carlos Ruiz Zafron