It's been forever since I last updated! So much has been going on here and I cannot believe how quickly the time is passing by. I have about a month and a half left here, (it's the final countdown) and we're trying to live up Barcelona as much as possible. I really can't imagine leaving this place.
Currently we are on Spring Break, but before I get to that (okay, I'm too lazy to go through all of those pictures yet) here are some really amazing things we've done around Barna in the past month:
1. El museu de Picasso: Gorgeous gorgeous museum in Barrio Gótic, which is organized chronologically through Picasso's life. They go through all of his styles, from childhood sketches to his blue period all the way to his extreme cubist phase. Very very interesting, and his artwork is really outstanding. Made me absolutely fall in love with Picasso.
2. Codorniu winery tour: Our program organized a day trip to a winery just outside of Barcelona that is known for its cava (Spanish champagne, you just can't call it that if it's made outside of France). Unbelievably gorgeous and lots of fun, especially the fast train ride that we got to take through their underground wine storage....that was cool :). We tasted two of the cava wines, which were outstanding!
3. Palau de la musica catalana: Our program got us tickets to see a flamenco performance at this famous music performance hall, designed by a modernist catalán architect named Lluís Domènech i Montaner. The architecture both inside and out is completely outstanding; often times I didn't know whether to look at the architecture or the performers. The music in this place is just beautiful. I also adore everything about Flamenco, and was so happy to be able to see another performance. This one was a bit more modern and rigid/professional than the one we saw in Sevilla, but the dance and music styles were the same. And the tapas we had on the program's money weren't bad either!
4. "Mona": Apparently, a Catalán Easter tradition. My host mom explained that godmothers are supposed to give an easter cake to their goddaughters every year, and that usually it's meant for kids and they go all out with the decorating (kind of like what we do for kids' birthday cakes). But, my host mother still gets one from her grandmother. She stressed to me like 3 times that this is a CATALAN tradition, and that they don't do this anywhere else in Spain. Oh, I'm going to miss that Catalonian pride.
5. Parc de la Ciutadella: Historically famous park in the old city, constructed over an old military compound and updated for the International Exposition held in Barcelona during the industrial revolution (which is why Barcelona has its own Arc de Triomf, which is right next to this park). Pictured is a famous fountain designed by a young Gaudí. Also has a giant statue of a mammoth....I have no idea why, but the Catalans are obsessed with mammoths? Anyways, the park is gorgeous and lots of fun to walk around. Also a huge tourist attraction.
6. ¡Força Barça!: FCBarcelona, the fútbol team here, is getting into its final competitions and things are starting to get ridiculous. We went to a sports bar to watch the Madrid-Barça game last night, which was definitely a learning experience. For one, Barcelona and Madrid legitimately despise each other. Madrid is the capital of Spain and Barcelona is the capital of Catalunya and, on top of everything, their soccer teams are huge rivals. I learned a lot of really classy cheers against Madrid, including, "Madrid burn, burn Madrid!" I can't even describe the madness when Barça scored. On my walk home after the game, people were honking and singing the Barça anthem through the streets. Soccer is such a huge deal here, especially because Barça is so good. Pictured is a window I passed by on the street, which pretty much sums it all up: the Catalonian flag, the FCB colors, and the Catalunyan independence movement flag.
Also, apparently I really like soccer. It's so much fun to get into. Who knew I could like a sport?
I'll wrap this post up with the beloved mamut!! Isn't he precious?
Keep an eye out for posts on Greece, France, and my last month in Spain! Hasta pronto!
