for those of you non-facebook users, you can finally access my pictures! the address is: www.photobucket.com/andreamlowe/ - i've only put up the highlights to make both of our lives easier. i haven't taken pictures in awhile, but more to come this weekend, when our program takes us to Madrid. Speaking for myself, I haven't had the chance to travel anywhere else in Spain, so it will be nice to see the capital of the country, and check out a city twice as big as Barcelona (and, you know, the Prado). There is also talk of a possible trip to Valencia for halloween weekend, and a trip to Andalucia (south of Spain- possibly Sevilla and Cordoba) for the end of November and early December. If that works out, it would be a pretty nice survey of what Spain has to offer.
The past week has been the most uneventful in the almost two months (!!!) that I've been here. After the five-day Italy excursion immediately followed by three days in Stockholm, I really needed to relax, catch up on work, and sleep. And that is exactly what I have been doing. It's been fun though- I checked out a few more museums and neighborhoods while Mimi was here and got together with Democrats Abroad on Thursday night to watch the debate. The weekend, as I said, was very relaxed. On Friday, we found this store that sells American/British food called "A Taste of Home"- where we promptly stocked up on cookie dough and peanut butter. You know, essentials. We then ate said cookie dough the following day, when we crashed Kim's homestay for an afternoon of laziness and Almost Famous (I was the only one who had seen it! blasphemy). Like I said, pretty chill weekend, with a couple really fun nights out for Sarah's birthday, which we celebrated again two nights ago with dinner at a Mexican restaurant- my first non-Spanish food in Spain, which I very much appreciated for the high-quality guacamole, and the actual spice and hotness of my food. People in Spain seem very hesitant to cook spicy things.
Most importantly, I went to the oldest bar in Barcelona, where Ernest Hemingway (and Picasso, Gaudi, etc.) used to hang. My cool factor has increased exponentially.
also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DEAR SISTER WHO IS TWENTY-THREE TODAY.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
complaints- round one
alright, i'm always incredibly one-sided in my positive feelings towards barcelona. This is good and an accurate representation of my love for this place. However, I would not be myself if I didn't have some complaints. A lot of these are things that seemed quaint at first and now are just really annoying.
1) People here don't know how to walk. I know it's cool and European to amble around the streets at 0.25 miles and hour, but if I have to get somewhere, please move out of my way.
2) I get stared at every time I walk to the gym in my workout clothes. Um, why would I put on regular clothes only to go change at the gym, when I could shorten the process? Another example of Spanish inefficiency.
3) Things are never open. Want to go to the grocery store? Hm, make sure it isn't, you know, before nine in the morning or between one and three (sometimes four) or after eight (the midday break is for "siesta"...in my book that equals laziness). When are things ACTUALLY open here? Everything is also closed on Sunday. Didn't anyone inform the Spanish that Sunday is errand day?
4) Public displays of affection. People of all ages (really- this is potentially traumatizing). This upsets me enough in the United States, and here it is just taken to the limits of reason.
5) People get mad at you for paying for a 3 euro thing with a 10 dollar bill, usually in grocery stores. I'm sorry that I am not a walking change machine. If I were that obnoxious person paying with a 50, okay, understandable. But seriously, you have seven euros in change. It's not a big deal. Relax.
6) Cookie dough doesn't exist. Neither does peanut butter.
7) Smoking. In bars or restaurants, you sometimes find yourself trying to catch your breath and realize, it isn't because you just ran a marathon, it's because there's a bachelor party of 35 people all smoking, and then three pregnant women next to them, all smoking, and a group of ten year olds, all smoking. That's only a slight exaggeration.
8) It is difficult to walk down the street without someone trying to sell you a flower, a light up spinny toy, an umbrella, or beer. This is even less amusing if you're trying to enjoy dinner in a restaurant and some guy keeps shoving roses in your face.
9) Clubs think it is hilarious to hire people to dress up as horror movie characters, Indians, warriors etc. to "entertain" the guests. This is not entertaining, this is annoying, and does not enhance my club-going experience.
That's all I've got for now. Sorry Barcelona, I still love you.
1) People here don't know how to walk. I know it's cool and European to amble around the streets at 0.25 miles and hour, but if I have to get somewhere, please move out of my way.
2) I get stared at every time I walk to the gym in my workout clothes. Um, why would I put on regular clothes only to go change at the gym, when I could shorten the process? Another example of Spanish inefficiency.
3) Things are never open. Want to go to the grocery store? Hm, make sure it isn't, you know, before nine in the morning or between one and three (sometimes four) or after eight (the midday break is for "siesta"...in my book that equals laziness). When are things ACTUALLY open here? Everything is also closed on Sunday. Didn't anyone inform the Spanish that Sunday is errand day?
4) Public displays of affection. People of all ages (really- this is potentially traumatizing). This upsets me enough in the United States, and here it is just taken to the limits of reason.
5) People get mad at you for paying for a 3 euro thing with a 10 dollar bill, usually in grocery stores. I'm sorry that I am not a walking change machine. If I were that obnoxious person paying with a 50, okay, understandable. But seriously, you have seven euros in change. It's not a big deal. Relax.
6) Cookie dough doesn't exist. Neither does peanut butter.
7) Smoking. In bars or restaurants, you sometimes find yourself trying to catch your breath and realize, it isn't because you just ran a marathon, it's because there's a bachelor party of 35 people all smoking, and then three pregnant women next to them, all smoking, and a group of ten year olds, all smoking. That's only a slight exaggeration.
8) It is difficult to walk down the street without someone trying to sell you a flower, a light up spinny toy, an umbrella, or beer. This is even less amusing if you're trying to enjoy dinner in a restaurant and some guy keeps shoving roses in your face.
9) Clubs think it is hilarious to hire people to dress up as horror movie characters, Indians, warriors etc. to "entertain" the guests. This is not entertaining, this is annoying, and does not enhance my club-going experience.
That's all I've got for now. Sorry Barcelona, I still love you.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
sweden: home of jens lekman, abba, and adorable people
back from stockholm. mimi is here now and hanging out in barcelona til thursday night. it's very nice because now i am getting to do all of the touristy things that i either did right at the beginning of my time here, or that I haven't done yet. Yesterday I took her to a couple cathedrals, La Boqueria, and La Rambla, and tomorrow we're checking out the Modern art museum (finally!), Park Guell, and Palau Guell, one of the Gaudi houses I have not yet visited. Yes, I am still attending my classes, fear not. Anyway, the rest of the week promises to be good, with those things, plus dinner at a nice place with Mimi and some of the Barcelona friends tomorrow night, plus debate watching on Thursday night with Barcelona Democrats Abroad (if any Tufts Dems are reading this: be proud!), plus Sarah's birthday weekend. Good times.
But anyway, I spent the weekend in stockholm with Mimi and Sarah. It was great, and wonderfully cold. Our flight got in Friday afternoon (me and Sarah), and Mimi was delayed, so we basically wandered around Gamla Stan- the old city, found some food, etc. Mimi finally joined us, and the next day was a full day: started at the Royal Palace where we got to see the changing of the guard, a very elaborate ceremony complete with a band that took about an hour. From there we went to a chocolate festival, which was probably the best decision ever. So many samples. I have never seen or eaten that much chocolate in my life- good thing? Maybe. After, we were pretty beat, so we headed to Sodermalm- an island south of the main touristy area (Gamla Stan) where there are more cool stores, less touristy, etc. An early night was had once again.
Sunday we went to tour City Hall in the morning, which was beautiful and very interesting. A guy on our tour kept asking if he could buy tickets to the Nobel Prize Banquet, even though our tour guide kept insisting it was kind of an exclusive affair. Anyway, afterwards we went to Parliament, although we didn't take a tour, and then to Skansen, this amazing open air museum. Basically, go to Sweden. There was a lot more that we didn't do, but our three days were great- everyone is so friendly and the city is just beautiful.
So that was me trying to be as succinct as possible. Hasta entonces...
But anyway, I spent the weekend in stockholm with Mimi and Sarah. It was great, and wonderfully cold. Our flight got in Friday afternoon (me and Sarah), and Mimi was delayed, so we basically wandered around Gamla Stan- the old city, found some food, etc. Mimi finally joined us, and the next day was a full day: started at the Royal Palace where we got to see the changing of the guard, a very elaborate ceremony complete with a band that took about an hour. From there we went to a chocolate festival, which was probably the best decision ever. So many samples. I have never seen or eaten that much chocolate in my life- good thing? Maybe. After, we were pretty beat, so we headed to Sodermalm- an island south of the main touristy area (Gamla Stan) where there are more cool stores, less touristy, etc. An early night was had once again.
Sunday we went to tour City Hall in the morning, which was beautiful and very interesting. A guy on our tour kept asking if he could buy tickets to the Nobel Prize Banquet, even though our tour guide kept insisting it was kind of an exclusive affair. Anyway, afterwards we went to Parliament, although we didn't take a tour, and then to Skansen, this amazing open air museum. Basically, go to Sweden. There was a lot more that we didn't do, but our three days were great- everyone is so friendly and the city is just beautiful.
So that was me trying to be as succinct as possible. Hasta entonces...
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
five days in rome and other insanity
Hello all,
It has been awhile; I am alive and back in Barcelona. First week of classes went off without a hitch. Only one of my classes seems like it will be particularly demanding, and the others seem interesting but not overwhelming. I get to go to museums every fourth class for Art y Aristas, and watch movies in Imagenes del Cine Contemporaneo... so, good times. Birthday festivities were very very fun. But, onto the main event, Rome and Venice! I'm going to give the highlights only, otherwise you could be reading for awhile. E-mail me for more detail and pictures (up on facebook shortly).
Day 1: Barcelona --> Girona --> Rome (Friday, October 3)
Since it was a Thursday night, staying out all night and then going to the bus station to get a 5:15 bus to catch my 8:30 flight seemed like a grand idea. Either way, I was exhausted by the time I got to Rome- RyanAir is great, but travel is more extensive, since you have to take buses to get to the more remote airports. I finally arrived in Termini train station, made it to my hostel without getting too lost, and dropped my stuff off to do some solo sight-seeing, since Mimi (my friend from Tufts who I was traveling with) would not be in til that evening. I ambled around the Quirinale, which is where the government offices are, as well as the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps, and then paid a visit to Santa Maria degli Angeli, Michaelangelo's last work. I met up with Mimi back at the hostel, and two other girls from Tufts; Mimi's friends who were studying in Italy and joined us in Rome for the weekend. We had a nice dinner out at Est!Est!Est! pizza, at the recommendation of my dear friend Kyle, who might never have spoken to me again if I hadn't (it was a good choice, Kyle). We briefly thought about going out to explore the nightlife, but having a multi-hour dinner and then walking back to the hostel a few blocks away to sleep was far more appealing, so that's what we did.
Day 2: Rome (Saturday, October 4)
This was our big sight-seeing day; we woke up really early to make the trek to Vatican City, where we spent a good five hours. It is amazing there; we basically traversed the entire Vatican museum- Sistine Chapel, Raphael rooms, etc. After that, we went to St. Peter's Basilica, another amazing and overwhelming place. We were pretty exhausted after spending half of our day there, but ancient Rome called out to us...so we headed to the other end of the city to visit the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine- all amazing. You'll have to check out my pictures, a description can't really do it justice. Kate introduced us to the very Italian concept of aperitif (wine and snacks, kind of like tapas) and we went to bed early again.
Day 3: Rome (Sunday, October 5)
On our last full day in Rome, we took it easier, already exhausted and still gearing up for two more days of travel. We visited a few more sights at our leisure- Palazzo Venezia and the Pantheon, and made our way up to the north of the city to Piazza del Popolo where we saw more amazing cathedrals. Kate and Andrea left to go back to their programs, and Mimi and I ended our day with a walk down the river and dinner at Campo de Fiori, a really cute area of shopping and restaurants.
Day 4: Rome --> Venice (Monday, October 6)
Early flight to Venice...again, we were exhausted when we arrived on the island. Venice is really a beautiful place, and I expected not to like it for being overly touristy, but I actually think there were far more tourists in Rome. Anyway, we mostly walked around and explored the streets the first day. Headed to the Rialto market, where we ate some delicious fruit, tried desserts from every bakery we saw (go to Venice just for the baked goods. you will not be disappointed), saw a few more glorious churches, went to the old Jewish ghetto, and took a tour of the Doge's palace, which was quite impressive (the Doge used to be the appointed figurehead ruler of Venice). We weren't able to ride in a gondola (wayyyy too expensive, and Mimi and I just don't have 40/50 euro each to ride around in a boat) so we bought water bus passes, which was still really cool, since you can still see everything.
Day 5: Venice --> Barcelona (Tuesday, October 7)
Rounding out our 36 whirlwind hours in Venice, we went to the island of Murano to see a glassblowing demonstration, which was incredibly cool. We then spent more time walking/sitting after that, because the trip had really taken it out of us. Now, I'm finally back in Barcelona!
I didn't realice how much I had missed speaking Spanish. Now back to classes and Spanish life...for two days...and then Mimi, Sarah and I go to Stockholm. I know this sounds a bit ridiculous, but it just happens that I'm stacking my travel towards the beginning of the semester, where I am less worried about projects and tests for class. I am really excited to go to sweden. Also, if you go to Europe for study abroad and don't travel, there's something wrong.
It has been awhile; I am alive and back in Barcelona. First week of classes went off without a hitch. Only one of my classes seems like it will be particularly demanding, and the others seem interesting but not overwhelming. I get to go to museums every fourth class for Art y Aristas, and watch movies in Imagenes del Cine Contemporaneo... so, good times. Birthday festivities were very very fun. But, onto the main event, Rome and Venice! I'm going to give the highlights only, otherwise you could be reading for awhile. E-mail me for more detail and pictures (up on facebook shortly).
Day 1: Barcelona --> Girona --> Rome (Friday, October 3)
Since it was a Thursday night, staying out all night and then going to the bus station to get a 5:15 bus to catch my 8:30 flight seemed like a grand idea. Either way, I was exhausted by the time I got to Rome- RyanAir is great, but travel is more extensive, since you have to take buses to get to the more remote airports. I finally arrived in Termini train station, made it to my hostel without getting too lost, and dropped my stuff off to do some solo sight-seeing, since Mimi (my friend from Tufts who I was traveling with) would not be in til that evening. I ambled around the Quirinale, which is where the government offices are, as well as the Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps, and then paid a visit to Santa Maria degli Angeli, Michaelangelo's last work. I met up with Mimi back at the hostel, and two other girls from Tufts; Mimi's friends who were studying in Italy and joined us in Rome for the weekend. We had a nice dinner out at Est!Est!Est! pizza, at the recommendation of my dear friend Kyle, who might never have spoken to me again if I hadn't (it was a good choice, Kyle). We briefly thought about going out to explore the nightlife, but having a multi-hour dinner and then walking back to the hostel a few blocks away to sleep was far more appealing, so that's what we did.
Day 2: Rome (Saturday, October 4)
This was our big sight-seeing day; we woke up really early to make the trek to Vatican City, where we spent a good five hours. It is amazing there; we basically traversed the entire Vatican museum- Sistine Chapel, Raphael rooms, etc. After that, we went to St. Peter's Basilica, another amazing and overwhelming place. We were pretty exhausted after spending half of our day there, but ancient Rome called out to us...so we headed to the other end of the city to visit the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine- all amazing. You'll have to check out my pictures, a description can't really do it justice. Kate introduced us to the very Italian concept of aperitif (wine and snacks, kind of like tapas) and we went to bed early again.
Day 3: Rome (Sunday, October 5)
On our last full day in Rome, we took it easier, already exhausted and still gearing up for two more days of travel. We visited a few more sights at our leisure- Palazzo Venezia and the Pantheon, and made our way up to the north of the city to Piazza del Popolo where we saw more amazing cathedrals. Kate and Andrea left to go back to their programs, and Mimi and I ended our day with a walk down the river and dinner at Campo de Fiori, a really cute area of shopping and restaurants.
Day 4: Rome --> Venice (Monday, October 6)
Early flight to Venice...again, we were exhausted when we arrived on the island. Venice is really a beautiful place, and I expected not to like it for being overly touristy, but I actually think there were far more tourists in Rome. Anyway, we mostly walked around and explored the streets the first day. Headed to the Rialto market, where we ate some delicious fruit, tried desserts from every bakery we saw (go to Venice just for the baked goods. you will not be disappointed), saw a few more glorious churches, went to the old Jewish ghetto, and took a tour of the Doge's palace, which was quite impressive (the Doge used to be the appointed figurehead ruler of Venice). We weren't able to ride in a gondola (wayyyy too expensive, and Mimi and I just don't have 40/50 euro each to ride around in a boat) so we bought water bus passes, which was still really cool, since you can still see everything.
Day 5: Venice --> Barcelona (Tuesday, October 7)
Rounding out our 36 whirlwind hours in Venice, we went to the island of Murano to see a glassblowing demonstration, which was incredibly cool. We then spent more time walking/sitting after that, because the trip had really taken it out of us. Now, I'm finally back in Barcelona!
I didn't realice how much I had missed speaking Spanish. Now back to classes and Spanish life...for two days...and then Mimi, Sarah and I go to Stockholm. I know this sounds a bit ridiculous, but it just happens that I'm stacking my travel towards the beginning of the semester, where I am less worried about projects and tests for class. I am really excited to go to sweden. Also, if you go to Europe for study abroad and don't travel, there's something wrong.
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