Barcelona

The first thing I noticed when I realized that I was in Barcelona is that the people are a lot more attractive. Just in general, the level of style is at a definite up. That’s when I got excited to be back in a real city.

The second thing I noticed was that the metro system has a by-the-second countdown panel, which was enjoyable.

The third thing I noticed was the ‘supermercado rapido’ at the entrance of the subway. This was basically a giant vending machine, a wall’s worth, which included everything from tampons, to boxed orange juice, to kinder hippos, to a surprisingly wide selection of condoms, all of which you could pay for and receive automatically through the machine. I know we have Ipod vending machines now, but this just wins. Easily.

Nellie tried to explain to me the purpose of a crosswalk, which I found amusing. “They have this in Boston, too, yes?”

Nellie’s apartment is completely beautiful, and the entire thing smells incredible, like Moroccan spices or something unidentified. It’s also right in the city, and has a pool and is about three feet away from a sushi restaurant. Essentially: I want to live there forever.

The crosswalks also have a special light specifically for bicycles, thats how bicycle-y it is.

I saw Avatar in 3d with spanish subtitles. It was AWESOME.

I went to some discoteque with my friend Emily(different one than the one from Salamanca, but another exchange student), which was really fun.

My dad and Amalea are now visiting me, which is loads of fun too. We're having really good food, and our hotel is right in the central plaza.

We went to the museum of contemporary art, and we're later going to see all the Gaudi things and go to the Picasso museum, as well as whatever else we can. There is a chocolate museum right across from the Picasso*hint hint*. Then tonight I'm going out! Hopefully with Emily, but possibly just by myself, which is actually pretty fun sometimes...

Love from Barcelona!
EMMA