Sophia's Adventures in Barcelona Chapter 1

Okay I'm going to take you back to September 12th, 2015. It was a Saturday, a chill had set in and fog rolled wantonly towards the city of San Francisco. I figured it was fitting, I was starting my big adventure. Leaving the comfort of my small bay area town for the vast bright life of Barcelona, Spain. For three months I would be studying and living in a city that I knew nothing about. Forget speaking the language I'd taken one Spanish class, made it to hello and please, before promptly switching to French. Good thing Barcelona basically has it's own language. So no way to communicate, no friends since I decided to be brave and venture out on my own, I was truly well on my way to running away screaming before even making it to the airport. But I swallowed the scream, rubbed my sweaty palms down my sides, said goodbye to the family and moved on. I don't think I imagined the new friends I would inevitably make, the new experiences I would explore, or the new piercing (Sorry Mom). 

Alright fast forward ten agonizing, butt numbing hours later, one transfer from Frankfurt, Germany, and bam! I was in Barcelona waiting with my nails digging into the palms of my hands hoping to whatever freaking deities were out there, the freaking baggage plane wouldn't lose my suitcase! Long story about the baggage plane, short story my friends and mother are evil. 

With my bag in hand and my palms in serious pain, I followed the massive crowd of sheeple who had agreed to this three month excursion as well out of the airport and to the giant bus waiting. Yes more sitting, oi. We made it to the Hotel we would be staying for the night in perfect time. Everyone anxious to make friends and settle in. We had the rest of the night to explore. I just wanted to explore my bed. Ten hours people, new city can wait.

Finally getting my room and key I made it up the stairs with less grace than I care to admit before face planting rather nicely. My roommate for the hotel was a total sweetheart. It was her first time out of the country, mine as well but I figured she could tell. With both of us exhausted we travelled near the Hotel exploring the streets and markets near us. Barcelona is freaking clean. In the morning. At night,well the street cleaners haven't come by yet so basically it's what SF looks and smells like all the time. 

My first run in with Spanish was entertaining to say the least. We walked by this cafe and saw this Salad with squid and veggies in it that looked amazing (Don't Judge, it was fantastic)! The actual transaction went by with ease, trying to ask for salt ended with her handing me a beer. Not what I wanted, but I'll take what I can get. 

The first night flew by beginning a week of Orientation to understand small customs and the basic rules of the school program. We were quickly moved into our apartments, each of the teachers stressing the importance of getting integrated into Spanish life. Sometimes It doesn't seem real. I'm living in an apartment with three other girls (Got my own room!), buying groceries like a freaking grown up, doing homework while looking out at a Spanish courtyard, trying not to dye my clothes when doing laundry, and over all living a normal life in Barcelona. Weird.

The weeks have been going by so quickly. I've traveled in and around Barcelona, to the zoo (No freaking Giraffes so Not Cool), visited art museums, taken walking tours of the open air markets, and basically been enjoying my new life. 

Though guys remember not everything is allowed to be fun and games. School started the second week of us being here. I'm taking Argumentation because learning to argue correctly sounds way cooler than it is (Dang it). Environmental Biology, which got me in the mood to storm the White House and demand we save something. Art History of the Western World. That's all that needs to be said take it how you like. And finally Spanish Life and Culture with the coolest teacher ever. Norie. Not really her name but it's as close as I can get in real life as well. Did you know the Spanish think about sex fifteen times a day? Its a stat and also one of the first things Norie taught us. Like I said awesome. 

My apartment has a poltergeist. Yup. And it absolutely hates my roommates and I. About three or four weeks into the trip, my roommates decided to have a party, yeah okay I did too. Perhaps we were a little loud, but the ghost tormented by the sound of laughter decided to destroy us. It put hot glue in our door locks. Keys no longer worked. Clothes inside, computer inside (Torture), glasses inside (The one time I wear my contacts), and well you get the gist. It was hell for a day and a half. I slept on a couch with friends in the downstairs apartment. But of course I'm sitting here talking to you people so the poltergeist did not prevail.

Until a week ago when it blew out one of our lights, killed all of the hot water in the building, and efficiently stole all the gas so no cooking or normal yummy food. Yeah. We're still working on that. But through all the thick and thin it's been incredible. 

The weekend trips have probably been my favorite activities while I've been in Europe. The first trip I took was through the school program to the Basque country. Three wonderful days in San Sebastian. And I promise I'll tell you all about it in my next post.

Until then,

Sophia