September 5, 2013 Image

Dia Uno

 

I finally arrived! After two full days of traveling I made it to Barcelona. There was little trouble finding my bag at the airport but luckily it made it here!
As soon as I had my bags I quickly cabbed it straight to my school making it just in time as all of my classmates were leaving for a hike. The hike was up a hill that overlooked the whole city and beach. The view was incredible and made me forget about how extremely tired and thirsty and hungry I was!
When we got to the top we went to this tiny restaurant called Can Marti that was basically a whole in the wall. They served us a huge catalonian meal. First was cooked eggplant and red bell pepper with some olives, then ensalada with tuna, then a catalonian classic pan con tomate, then there was sausage and lamb, and papas fritas, and to top it all off some ice cream and a cortado which was an expresso with a small amount of milk and sugar that is common to drink after a large meal. We also got to drink from this thing in which the point is to pour it into your mouth as you slowly extend your hand as far away from your mouth as possible and then back with out spilling. There was mixed success!
After we made it back down the hill I finally had the chance to go to my homestay and move in. After doing that I tok a small nap, ate dinner at 9, and then met up with Chris for a casual night at L’Ovella Negra. Its a great hole in the wall bar on an alley a couple streets off las ramblas. A perfect blend of travelers from all over the globe and locals and of course a pitcher of sangria for only 10 euros!
Overall a great first day and I am so happy I just hit the ground running!

September 3, 2013

Lesson 1: Appreciation for a dad who gets things done

Its only day one but this trip is already the craziest Ive ever taken. My flight to Barca had a lay over in New York at JFK. When we were only 45 minutes away our pilot informed us that there was a storm in the city and JFK wasn’t allowing people to land, so we were going to circle for awhile till we had the go ahead. A little while later he tells us we can’t continue circling and we have to go to Cleveland. Of course once on our way to Cleveland the storm passes and JFK reopens, but we have gone to far and still need to get fuel! We get to Cleveland and sit on the runway for quite awhile as the whole situation is being worked out. Heres where my dad enters the picture. When I call him to fill him in on the delays he immediately goes to work for me. He gets me onto another flight to Barcelona tomorrow when it is apparent theres no way ill make mine. This turns out to be the biggest favor in the entire world. WHen we get to JFK there is an employee directing people who missed connecting flights. She tells those of us who missed our Barcelona flight to go out to the ticketing counters. When we get there the line is 1/2 a mile long at least!! Craziest scene I have ever seen. No one knew what to do and everyone needed a new flight. Except for me! Because I have the best father in the world who at this point I should pay for his travel agent services. I have a flight tomorrow, a hotel room tonight, and pizza on the way! Today was insane but I cant help but appreciate it as all being part of this crazy adventure!

p.s for those of you that witnessed the horrible experience last time I was in JFK traveling from Spain, remind me to never use this airport when I am traveling to Spain. It is clearly cursed.