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

Christmas in Portugal

23rd- I wake up early, finish packing, catch a cab to the bus station, followed by a 10 hour bus ride to Lisbon, the second half of which I was so bus sick that I thought I might die and was literally curled up on the seat crying. That bit they were playing Me myself and Irene, and I'm not sure I'm ever going to be able to watch that movie again without feeling sick. The first half I watched a clockwork orange, which was a fabulous film, but I was sad to watch it because I'd been holding out to read the book first, and I loathe reading books after seeing their film version. But then I finally arrived, and Mariana picked me up. As it turned out, the bus station was right next to the old world's fair fairgrounds where I had been when I was five years old, the last time I was in Portugal. I was introduced for the first time to the Gray family, with whom I'd be staying.

24th- Christmas lunch at the Gray's house; thai food. The guests were mostly ambassadors. They mostly spoke in English, since everyone spoke that, but some Portuguese. The food was fabulous. Afterwards we went to an 8 o clock midnight mass at a little English speaking church. I ate a body of christ wafer. I wasn't sure which was more inappropriate, to take it, or not to take it. Then they opened presents, and I had a stocking, which was incredibly sweet of them.

25th- Christmas lunch at a friend's house, a family which is apparently the largest date company owners in all of the middle east, and possibly the world. We had fantastic Moroccan food, including hummus and cous cous, and plenty of dates! Then we went to Luis' family dinner, which was maybe 50 or so people, with lots of portuguese food. Unfortunately I didn't eat much of that, since most of it had meat, and also because I was too stuffed from lunch! But I tried this interesting sort of cheesecakeish thing, which was delicious. I met a couple who run a music managing company and a 30 day world music festival. The man is from mexico and the woman used to live in Union sq, so I spoke a combination of spanish and english with them.

26th- Went into lisbon (i'm staying right outside of lisbon) to a beautiful cathedral, went to two very modern art exhibits, went to the center of town, and then went back for dinner. I might add more details on the exhibits later.

27th- went to the westernmost point of europe, which was beautiful and windy and fantastic. Then now I'm going back into lisbon to the old cathedral and the design museum and who knows what else!

On all the days, everyone I spoke to was incredibly well traveled and interesting, and extremely talented at small talk. I picked up a little Portuguese, and kind of want to learn it after spanish. I'm having a fabulous incredible time, and finally have real things to report! Much love and best holiday wishes to everyone.

This is a blog post....

I had extremely long extremely perfect round nails, but then they got chipped so I cut them down to stubbly nubs.

We have some new members of our household. Two are just here for the weekends; Manoli’s daughter Paula and Paula’s son Sergio come and stay with us on the weekends, because her husband (also named Sergio) got send off to Iraq. The other appears to be permanent, and I find it far more disturbing; a giant pig’s leg, including hoof and the works sits proudly in the middle of our kitchen, right next to the water and the fruit. Manoli and Imad casually cut off little slices when they feel like it.

That reminds me of how when Paula and her family used to come over for lunch or something, I would always say ‘when are the Sergios’ getting here’ because it was plural and I found that amusing.

I have somehow gotten Livia approximately 9 times nuttier than she was, or at least revealed herself to be. Friday we very loudly sang along to instruments playing Christmas songs in Plaza Mayor. Opera style. In two different languages. (But mostly we forgot the words so a non-language.)

For Christmas here, they give presents on the day of the three kings (January 6th) not from Papa Noel. Although now they do that sometimes too, but that’s like the Non-Spanish Way.

Turron is their big Christmas candy, in all sorts of different types.

I joined the gym and now I do a spin class 5 times a week and pilates 2 times.

I remember a lot of my dreams now, even a bunch that I had a while ago but forgot about.

I got my library priveledges temporarily suspended from bringing back books late but now I got them back so I’m going to go take out The Cloven Viscount (Italo Calvino) in Spanish! I’m also reading The Catcher in the Rye in Spanish but the book is completely falling apart so its annoying to read.

Milena left for Germany, and it was sad. It’s strange to think that I’ll be leaving soon as well. I feel bad for Livia, because while both Jasmin and I (her closest friends here) are leaving in January, she will be here until June.

Holiday break starts wednesday, at which point I'm headed to Lisbon, capital of Portugal to stay with the Gray family (family friends) for christmas and such.

Chanukah has come and gone, with none a latkah because a) I forgot to make them and b) there are no jews in Salamanca. When I say that i mean it in all seriousness, because they all got kicked out and never came back. Many people haven't even heard of chanukah.

I miss home but mostly all is good. I've been studying a lot and I took all of my exams, for the most part doing really well, especially considering that they aren't in my native tongue. My Spanish has improved, though its not really where I want it to be, but thats okay. In some ways I'm very ready to go home, but in others I really wish I could stay the whole year.

wrote this sometime a while ago i think last week

THINGS

They don’t have my shoe size in Spain. In every single store I asked, which was quite a few, they only have up to the size right below me. DAMN FEET.

I’m training myself to lucid dream.

I miss tofu.

I’m becoming a vegetarian again, because I just cannot stand to eat meat any longer (no offense meant, only for me)

Grilled croissant is the best thing ever. Or croissant planchas, not positive the best way to translate it…

I’m reading a book in Spanish. Its called Lloviendo Amarillo.

My friend in school moved to Madrid. But now I’m working on making others, so it’s okay.

I have the chicken pox. No, that’s not a joke.

My hair is getting rather long.

Halloween was fun, but definitely odd.

My friend Livia’s birthday is this weekend.

I moved (same family, just different house). The new house is lovely, and a five or so minute walk to both my school and the library. However, I’m now rather far from the city center.

It’s absolutely frigid here.

I really badly need more books in English.

I have a painful bruise on my toenail that’s been there since maybe the second week I was here and it hasn’t gone away at all.

I take two yoga classes a week and a pilates class. I’m also getting a gym membership this week with my friend Emily.

A girl named Emily who was living in another city (from my program) just moved to my city, and is apparently going to be in my school.
I got a new cell phone that doesn’t die every time I receive calls! It’s pretty.

I eat so much nutella here. ITS AMAZING.

I wrote this today

In the library. I now am loving the library here. Which is so not surprising; I've always been a library person. I love this library because
a) it has free internet, and i don't feel obligated to buy something to use said free internet
b)it has awesome cds that i can just grab and add to my computer
c) its next to my school and therefore nearby a bus stop
d) it doesn't close for the lunch hours from 2-5 when everything else is closed
e) BOOKS!!!

My family is moving on the 1st of November.

I made a friend who is into ska. My first friend that is actually Spanish! She's completely rad.

I started Yoga and its completely amazing...I feel so good.

I finally understand what resumens are. The literal definition is summary. Everyone writes them of the textbook at home then reads them out during class. They are actually incredibly helpful, and I think I might continue doing them when I get back.

I'm still not used to the 24 hour clock, but I'm trying to train myself.

I wrote this sunday

I bought a pair of pants Saturday afternoon as well. They are a type of pants that are fashionable here, but I haven’t seen them in New York (although ironically enough Michelle told me that just bought several pairs on the Internet the other day). They’re those pants that are skinny in the legs and then the crotch hangs low. Like some guys wear. But they’re made for girls. It’s pretty wonderful.

Why do I think so much about pants?

I’ve become addicted to pears.

School is okay. But it’s difficult. I’m not sure that I will do well. Which sucks.

I’m very homesick.

Also Saturday I went grocery shopping with my family. We bought many sweets. I eat so many sweets here.

Tomorrow I think I will make myself a peanut butter banana sandwich for recreo (break. It’s at 10:30ish. We have three classes before and three after)

Please someone explain what pilates are to me?

Zara is a store in the United States also, right? But I recalled the clothes in Zara in the US kind of sucking. But here Zara is completely fabulous.

I'm reading Nausea by Sartre, and I completely adore it. Its like all the weird experiences that I've been mostly hiding but talking about with a select few since I can remember. And its written completely gorgeously as well.

I've been reading a ton recently, because anything in English is completely welcome and exciting to me.

Apparently my Spanish has improved immensely. I didn't really realize. I've been thinking that its terrible. But Imad(my Spanish father) said that its very noticeably improved.

I lost my converter!!! ahhh!!

Also I've begun to completely loathe American accents. They're nasty.

More later, when I have time, I have to go home and meet Jasmin. We're going shopping. I'm late!