Yesterday was our first full day and it was certainly full. We were out of the hotel by 10am and I didn't get to bed until 3am (although that was entirely my fault). We walked to the University of Barcelona, which is about 15 to 20 minutes away from our hotel via Las Ramblas. I'm going to say it now, I'm not a fan of the Ramblas. They're crowded, not very interesting and full of people trying to sell you things. At night, they're full of pushy men trying to get women into bars. It's the small side streets that are really worthwhile and get you to the better stores and tapas bars.
The University is a big, old, beautiful building and it's gardens are covered in stray cats. We had a quick orientation with Toni and got some more information about our program and our families. Moving in with our families tomorrow will be my next big hurdle. My speaking and comprehension skills have a long way to come before I can consider myself a proficient Spanish speaker. Hopeful mi madre will take pity on me and not get frustrated when I give her my deer in headlights look that I've perfected during two years of college Spanish.
After the University, we took the metro (I love the metro) to la Sagrada Familia, an almost overwhelming tourist destination. What I didn't realize was that only in the last 10 years have they completed the interior and what I was seeing was fairly new. It was also ordained a Basilica by the Pope a year ago. It's amazing to see such a grand work in progress. From there we went to the boardwalk area of Barceloneta. We were supposed to bike along, but we were late (something I feel will be a theme this term) and so we walked instead. We didn't end up having dinner until 11:00pm and we finally returned to the hotel at 1:00am. And of course, because we're kids that are suddenly considered of legal drinking age, we visited a nearby Irish bar.
I'm having a wonderful time so far, but the challenge of communication begins tomorrow. We'll see how it goes.
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