Una Gran Aventura

I am just 12 days away from beginning my trip to Barcelona, Spain. During my time there, I will study abroad with many other students just like me, mainly from California community colleges. My rapidly approaching departure date marks the end to summer, but also my 19th birthday, where I had the opportunity to make some traditional and non-traditional Spanish dishes to serve to my guests, including paella, which is a rice dish featuring saffron and often made with meat, and crema catalana, a dish similar to crème brûlée originating from Catalonia, the region in Spain where Barcelona is located.

#NCSACBarcelona, #AIFScustomized, #AIFSabroad

Without a doubt, it has been a challenge to sit down at my computer and try to write something down. It seems like there's a million other things to do, like reading my chapter for my History of Western Civilization class, zoning out on the Reddit page for Barcelona, or doing literally anything except writing. It started to feel like something hanging over my head instead of a way to tell my story here in Barcelona. But, I am determined to not let it slide any longer. Let my inactivity here not give the impression that I have not been having an excellent time here in Spain. Tomorrow, I look forward to sharing the many photos I have taken in the first 2 weeks here. To the left is a picture of the monastery at Montserrat, as part of the many excursions offered through the AIFS Study Abroad Program.

#NCSACBarcelona, #AIFScustomized, #AIFSabroad

My Daily Life in Barcelona

Most often, my day here starts somewhere between 7:30 and 10 :00 with a very light breakfast every day, usually consisting of plain corn flakes (you add the sugar yourself), bread, preserves, and coffee or tea, and sometimes fruit and cheese. This breakfast is really meant to only hold you over until lunch.

Life in Spain is in some ways more relaxed than that in countries like the United States. For example, as many know, there is a period of time during the middle of the day where most restaurants and local businesses shut down for a few hours. Lots of people refer to this as siesta time, but in reality, it is not a time meant to nap, but the time for those business owners and employees to take their lunch break, and also to catch up with friendly chat. Lunch is a major deal here. A proper Spanish lunch will be often bigger than breakfast or dinner.

If you're wondering why I've written the time in military format in the title, it is because it is common here in Spain to do so. Along with changing my phone time, I have also changed my phone language to Spanish, so that I may learn a few words just by using my device.

#NCSACBarcelona, #AIFScustomized, #AIFSabroad

During my time here abroad, I live with my host family about ten minutes away from the small Don Quijote Language School where classes are held. Walking to school every day (and a few days rollerblading!) has allowed me to learn my neighborhood, L'Esquerra de L'Eixample (The Left of the Extension). I even found my favorite cafe along the way, The Happy Traveler. Please enjoy my video I've taken of my journey to school.

#NCSACBarcelona, #AIFScustomized, #AIFSabroad