Learning Wasn't Part of the Deal

I've been kinda lazy, so I haven't posted in a while . I didn't get a chance to write anything about my trip to Galicia yet because I got back a one in the morning the night before I started classes. The trip was okay. We spent a lot of time on the bus visiting different little fishing towns. It was nice to see a different part of Spain. The highlight of the trip was the Cathedral at Santiago de Compostela mainly because I wrote a paper the Camino last year.

Since I got back I've started classes. I have 16 hours a week shoved into 4 days starting at 8:30 everyday, so that's a bit intense, but the course work seems pretty relaxed. This weekend is also a La Merce, the biggest festival in Barcelona. Yesterday Andra walked all over the place. We saw 8 concerts, a couple performances, and the ridiculous opening ceremony. Also this weekend the freshmen were hazed in my dorm. That was honesty the weirdest experience of my life. We all had to run around the neighborhood in garbage bags while the upperclassmen yelled at us in Catalan. On top of it all I've been a little homesick as well. thank you all for the encouraging messages. And yes I know that Mac it isn't nearly as exciting as Spain, but I miss you all, as well as: warm water, my single room, and sadly enough Cafe Mac.

La Diada de Catalunya

September 11th is a Catalan national holiday because in the eighteenth century Catalonia was almost an independent state. On my day off I decided to go and see what this whole Catalan thing is all about. Anyways, it was really cool to see all the emotion evolved in a separatist movement. In the center of Barcelona by the Arc de Triomf there was giant Catalan flag in the center. The whole plaza was filled with the little kiosks selling Catalan memorabilia and handing out literature on the the issue, but I couldn't read any of it because it was all in Catalan. I ended up buying a shirt the said "independencia" with a red star, but my favorite was as shirt that said in English, as well a Catalan, "Make no mistake - I am Catalan therefore not Spanish." There were also groups from all over supporting other separatist movements. The people in the kiosks were so happy to see people form other places (I went with a Japanese friend of mine) interested in their cause. Moral of the story is I'm a nerd and had a great time.

Settling In

So I'm in Barcelona and trying to figure out this damn blog thing and its harder than I thought. Besides that, things are good, I'm exploring the city a lot, mostly alone. Those who know me well know that it takes me longer than average to feel comfortable around new people. Currently I'm living in a dorm alone until Spanish students move in later this month. That's good because now the dorm feels more "American" than Macalester. For those who have not been, Barcelona is fucking amazing! I don't start class for another week and I'm going Galicia later this week.

This weekend I went on a two tour buses that took me all around the city to some sweet places trying to fill out my "Cultural Passport" to get free museum tickets. My favorite was the Parc Guell, a park designed by Antonio Gaudi (that's where the picture is from). Another one of the goals was to take a picture of yourself in the labyrinth with a particular statue. I took my fucking picture with three different statues and the woman the office still wouldn't give me credit because I didn't know which one was Eros ... whatever. I also saw Camp Nou where F. C. Barcelona plays.

That's all I got for now. Thanks for reading as I get accustomed to this whole blog thing - Ben