tranquila- keep calm

What a whirlwind the first 48 hours in Barcelona has been! It is amazing how long it feels like we've already been here. When we arrived our program leaders basically handed us a map with three dots: one where our apartamiento (homestay) is located, one at the ISA offices, and another at a central Barcelona plaza. After that they might as well have said, "bye, have a ball!" and let us run free. We've been finding our way around ever since. I have found this to be the best way of getting to know the city. While it sounds (and definitely is) intimidating, it is also great. Everyone on our program (about 50 of us) have already gotten lost at least once and somehow we find our way again. Monj and I are lucky. Our homestay is located in a central neighborhood- within walking distance of everything! Others on our program have already learned the metro system well, as they are located in farther neighborhoods and cannot walk to everything. The streets here are in typical European style: beautiful, old and filled with swaying trees. Cars honk and the city is always bustling. I marvel at everything I see- a regular tourist.

The pace of life here will take some getting used to. I feel like the locals are on a permanent "staycation." Our señora (housemom Tina) keeps telling us to "tranquila" which means "keep calm." I think she is used to us anxious Americans in her home and we can tell by her small chuckles that our antics provide her entertainment. The Spanish lifestyle is restful. Banks and other businesses are open from 8am-2pm and then they close! Everyone goes home for lunch at 2 and then takes a siesta and rests. Our classes will be assured to be done by 2 every day! Then we have free time to go to the beaches (which are GORGEOUS!) or see a cultural/historical site. I think I can get used to this!! Americans are so consumed with getting everything done immediately or RIGHT when they need it. This is in stark contrast to the Spanish lifestyle. If its past 2pm in the afternoon and you need money exchanged, too bad you'll have to wait until tomorrow. Nearly everything has that lackadaisical feel to it.

The eating pattern seems exotic to Monj and I, too. We have a light breakfast around 8/9am and then a heavier lunch at 2. Dinner (la cena) is served at 9pm. Our housemom doesn't eat with us but our "suite mates" (other ISA girls) who live next door and eat every meal with us. We are already becoming fast friends seeing as we have to find our way around the city using a map and teamwork, laughing at our silly Spanish skills.

So far we have been on a bus tour yesterday (which frankly most of the kids slept through but Monj and I tried to fight the jet-lag and stay attentive) and a "gothic tour"- my personal fave- of the city. The gothic tour was on foot  and we saw BEAUTIFUL, old churches as well as the city center where the government offices are located. Our tour guide spoke English which I approved of because I understood every little story and detail about the history- partially my reason for going on this trip! I think the old Roman pillars were my favorite part. I will attach a picture below. These were miraculously saved because through the 1800's people built their homes around them and preserved them. Then, during the modernist architecture period, they realized the significance of them and built a muesum-type structure (half inside, half outside) around them to protect them. Seriously beautiful.

Another highlight of the trip was our visit to Las Ramblas and la boquería (the market). Las Ramblas is the main street of Barcelona: slightly touristy but very delightful. It is filled with vendors, people speaking 100 languages, famous shopping stores and beautiful hotels and apartments. The market (pictured below) has everything from meat to veggies to candies. They service the locals (who shop for food nearly every single day) as well as tourists who just want to see how beautifully food can be displayed. I couldn't stop smiling the whole time.

Culturally, we are still in shock. I think this may last awhile. First of all, people here STARE. They are used to tourists, I am sure of that, but nonetheless they just STARE with a blank expression. We have been told this is the normal way of things and to just stare right back. We have been trying to dish it right back but for some reason I always break into a smile. This is very American and we have been advised against this. Smiling at people as you pass them on the street is not the European way apparently. Furthermore, everything is different. I know this sounds cliche but it could not be more true. The shower, the pace of life, the elevator (small and lurchy up eight floors), the way EVERYONE smokes non-stop, the drinking age (wink) and how SMALL everything is (kitchen, dining table, dishwasher, our bedroom, etc.). But the weather is amazing- dry and warm and sunny- and the food could not taste better!