¡Merce!

This past weekend was Merces. Merce is a city-wide festival in which activities abound througout the plazas, parks and beachside. There are fireworks every night, a parade with giant dolls, concerts and people EVERYWHERE! the metros were soo bogged down that they couldn´t leave without people getting off....clearly no one wanted to volunteer to get off, and a lot of people were drunk. Walking was the clear alternative to the humid, greasy metro. There was no school on Monday and
now I´m getting back into the routine this lovely Tuesday. My day would not be complete without a late start! The cat who lives in our house was pawing and meowing at our door periodically through the night...not such a great thing when you want to sleep. Im not particularly feeling this whole homestay situation, but hopefully I will come around. In any case, I have to get to class.

Recomendation of the day: Sitges, a beach 45 minutes out of Barcelona...Gorgeous!

Day 10. Barcelona

As I sit here in Barcelona I have a lot to reflect on and update. I have already seen and done a lot in this marvelous country and there is much to be told. I arrived in Madrid on the fourth of September to a city just waking up. I was a tad tired, but more than eager to start traveling around and begin classes, well not really begin class. As I waited for my hotel room to be cleaned, I ventured for a cup of coffee...7 euros...I´m pretty sure the lady ripped me off. I quickly learned that they mean business about their coffee, and it´s basically espresso and some milk. After meeting with my isa group; taking city tours; visiting El Prado; El Palacio; and Corte Ingles (the ubiquitous shopping center) it was time to leave Madrid. Next we visited El Escorial, burial palace to the Spainish royalty; Franco´s final resting place; and Toledo. All worth visiting! Finally I had arrived in Barcelona and met my Señora, Pilar Pareta. A nice woman who speaks no english. The food she made my roommate and I was good...but I have to admit that I miss Chipotle and could go for a slurpee. As of now, I have the bulk of my classes on Tuesday. They are in Spanish, and so I need to pay attention well, a daunting task. I will make sure to update you on that soon! And when i remember my camera cord, I will upload some pictures!
Hasta Luego