The Freemans take Barcelona (and my last week)

Last weekend, Crosby, my brother, came to Barca for a few days to visit. Thursday night, we hit Plaza Real for a swanky dinner at Quintz Nitz then went to bed. The following day we got up relatively early because stupid Crosby had a 10-mile run, so I hopped on one of the city share bikes (Bicing) and we did a ride along the water. After a little breakfast and shower, we headed downtown to wander through Old Town and hit Bo d B (the best sandwiches in the world). After lunch, we headed over to Montjuic, the mountain in the city where the Olympic Venues are. We mostly just walked up the mountain and sweated our faces off. After realizing that it was still relatively early, we hopped in the metro and went over to the Ciutadella Park, a beautiful park by the water. After a cool afternoon beverage, we decided to return back to the apartment and take a little siesta before heading out to a tapas dinner in El Born.
The following day, Crosby had another run (this time 16 miles...what.) so I hopped on the Bicing and we headed up Montjuic and then along the water. The day's sightseeing included the Sagrada Familia, a little exploring of Gracia, Parc Guell (Gaudi's park up in the hills), and more sweating profusely. That night, Brett and Niki, friends from SF met us at the apartment for some vino and Nene's famous croquetas before we headed downtown for some dinner.
It was SO great to finally have Cros make it out to Barcelona. Though it was a short visit (only 2 days), we had a great time.
Throughout my last week in Barcelona, I was in denial that I was leaving. Some highlights included my last beach day, last minute errands, going to the Picasso museum, and eating way way way too much Bo d B. One of the hardest parts of the week, though, was saying goodbye to Nene, my homestay mom. I truly loved Spain, but if my living situation hadn't been so fantastic, I think I would have had a very different experience. I truly grew to love Nene and Juan Antonio and I'm certain that I'll see them again in the future.
It didn't really become entirely real that my time in Barcelona was over until I was finally at the airport this morning. The Spaniard was nice enough to get up eaaaarly to take me to the airport for my flight, only to have to experience my "I'm leaving Spain" meltdown. (Here comes some whining) My flight was miserable. In addition to having terrible food and uncomfortable conditions (standard for economy flying), the movies were terrible (this was just ONE of the three terrible selections http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1152398/). However, I did sit next to a fabulous gay Spanish guy named Oscar who told me he was certain that I would return to Spain (and then gave me the best hug ever. We're best friends). I guess not all bad. Now I'm killing time on my 5 and a half hour lay over in Toronto. Thank god for free airport Wifi.
My plan is to marinade the next few days and then post one last "Reflections" blog. Stay turned, I suppose.

Hasta.

Current obsessions: planning my life so it results in me moving to Barcelona. And that's IT.

Catching up

Look at that. Another month (plus some) has gone by and I haven’t written a post. I know I know. Hear me out, though. I’ve been busy.

As I mentioned in my last post, I’ve started working a second job with an investing group. My boss, Marta, has been SO great and has brought me to a handful of their events including an investors meeting where entrepreneurs present their projects and a Business Expo where I was able to, again, hear new businesses present their ideas to the group. In addition, I’ve been helping them research and organize information about companies from the expo. An added bonus is that I do the majority of the work from my personal computer at home. How many of you get to sit on a terrace in the sun with a vino tinto while working? Yep.

As most of my study abroad friends can attest, my biggest concern about staying here for the summer was that I would be lonely without my built-in friend group from CIEE. After meeting the Brazilian girls in Mallorca and spending a little bit of time with some scattered Spanish friends, I was less concerned. Additionally, another American girl started working at the Agency with me. She’s here on an “internship abroad” program, so there’s a large group of American students she hangs out with a lot that she’s introduced me to. They’re a LOT of fun, so I’ve been going out at night with them a fair amount.

Shortly after my last post, I met a Spanish guy here. It’s been great to have a Barcelona native show me parts of the city and culture I wouldn’t have otherwise seen. On June 23, Barcelona had a major holiday called the Verbena de San Juan that celebrates the summer solstice. Wait. The summer solstice is on June 21. Oh heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy, Spanish Time. Anyway. The Spaniard invited me to his family’s Verbena party. The closest comparison I can make is that it was essentially like many American 4^th of July block parties. In the plazas in the residential neighborhoods they set up rows and rows of picnic tables, a stage where a band played live music, and a fenced off area where kids of all ages (aka mostly kids and dads) set off firecrackers ALL NIGHT. We ate, drank, danced (in my case, badly), and laughed until very very late. It was a treat to meet and experience a Spanish family tradition and I’m so grateful the Spaniard’s family welcomed an outsider into their family tradition.

The Spaniard, like me, loves the beach, so on the weekends we’ve been taking day trips to the beaches just south of the city to get away from the tourists. It’s been great to be able to be in the local scene a little more than I would have been otherwise. Another added bonus is that he doesn’t really speak English, so my Spanish is getting really really good.

Brett Baker and Niki Finelli, friends from SF, arrived in Barça yesterday, so I met up with them for lunch and a little stroll through Old Town. Crosby, my brother, arrives in Barça TODAY for 2 days/3 nights before he heads to London for work. Get ready, Barcelona.

I leave Barcelona a week from Saturday, which I’m still largely in denial about. I’m considering intentionally missing my flight. I hope you’ll come visit me.

Hasta.

Current obsessions: the beaches outside Barcelona, French Bulldogs, Alejandro Sanz’s music, the Copa America, the Spaniard’s mom (actually just older Spanish women in general.)