Al Sur

After a long day of touring on Friday, a group of us decided to go out and experience the Barcelona nightlife. We went out to a bar around 11, relatively early by Spanish standards, that was pretty close to our hotel, although it seemed a or farther after getting lost for 45 minutes on the way. The entrance was through a stone archway and tunnel that went back into a series of rooms with big wooden, round tables and benches. Each table had a big vat of beer, and the whole place was loud and hot. Honestly, it looked like it fell straight out of the Harry Potter series. It was so packed, however, that we couldn't get a table. I didn't feel like chasing around the city looking for another hotspot to hang at before the clubs opened at 2am, so I elected to just head for the hotel with a few of the other girls. I'm sure it would have been a great time had I stayed out and done the whole clubbing scene, but a.) I don't know Barcelona, b.) it has a reputation as an dangerous city, especially at night, and c.) I have the entire semester in Cordoba to go out. The city itself is beautiful, but I got really tired of being on high-alert every second of the day.

Yesterday, Saturday, Kim and I got up early, went to Starbucks and got American style coffees, and took a walk back over to Mont Juic, our final stop on Fridays tour. Not only was Mont Juic home to the 1992 Olympics, it was also the site of the 1926 World Fair where Mies van der Rohe, a German architect, designed the Barcelona Pavilion. This past spring I did a big project for my architecture studio on the Pavilion and a digital 3D reconstruction and redesign, so seeing the actual architecture was very cool. It was so good, in fact, that I liked it more than Gaudi's Parque Guell, though I think maybe this is because I have spent more time studying the details and architectural significance.









After taking a bunch of pictures, Kim and I walked back to the hotel and hit the rooftop pool for a while before grabbing lunch at a falafel place nearby. While I was sitting on the roof I kept having the same out-of-body experience thinking about where I was. I never in a million years thought I'd be chilling poolside on a rooftop in Barcelona in my whole entire life.




And as if a rooftop wasn't good enough, I hoped in a cab and went down to Barcelonetta, a beach almost in the middle of the city, and met up with another group of girls. It was so nice! I had my first swim in the Mediterranean Sea, and went topless, like the locals, for a little bit. There were also a ton of vendors on the beach selling drinks, massages, and clothing. I'm just glad I went and hung out for a while on the beach and in the warm water. I can't wait to go to another playa by Cordoba!







Finally, around seven, we meandered back to the hotel, showered the salty sea water off, and went to dinner. Sarah, another Smithie, stumbled upon a vegan restaurant earlier in our visit, so we tried it out and it was awesome. I'm not sure the food was that spectacular, but veggies tasted so good after eating mostly traditional Spanish food (i.e. rice, bread, potatoes... all carbs).

After dinner we hoped on a bus back over to Mont Juic to see La Fonta Magica, the magic fountain that is also part of the 1926 World Fair complex. Every night there is a light show with the fountains projections choreographed to dramatic music- everything from Mariah Carey to opera. I think it would have looked more appropriate at Disney, but I suppose in 1926 it was state-of-the art.




When we got home a bunch of us sat down and had a meeting trying to figure out where and when we want to travel. Then bed. Finally.

This morning we had an early rise to catch El Ave, the high speed train, south to Cordoba. If we drove if would be about 12 hours, but here on the train it will only take us four. The info screen says we are traveling at 271 km/hour, which is over 165 mph! It's smooth, quiet, and really fun, not to mention great sleeping in about five minutes. My current song, and therefore soundtrack, is Dido, Everything to Lose.

Once we arrive in Cordoba, our other luggage will be waiting at the station. Everyone else in the program is staying with a host family, who will meet them at the station, but I am living in a dorm. From what I understand, the supervisor of the dorm will meet me and take me to my new home with 39 Spanish peers. Hopefully I don't forget all my Spanish on the spot. Nos vemos.

And tomorrow, classes. Wow.

Location:Between Barcelona and Cordoba on El Ave