Only an Architect Would Go to a Cemetery for Fun

Its true, we did take a field trip to a cemetery about 45 minutes outside of Barcelona. As you can see from the photos it was actually quite a breath taking place. Literally breathtaking, the minute we got off the bus we were all a little overwhelmed by the stench of cow manure, there were a few jokes going around about it being the stench of death. But the reality of the situation was that we were all really disgusted to learn that in fact it was the smell of death that was plaguing our senses. It ends that these aren't your typical cemetery plots, but they are actually built into the earth and stacked on top of each other in such a manner that they are open to the air in an attempt to assist in the natural process of decomposition. As beautiful as the architecture is it was incredibly hard for me and most of my classmates to fully enjoy the experience due to the slightly depressing nature of a cemetery.

Tapas, Homework and Wine

Well it has been a quiet week, a lot less touring and a sinus cold have kept me pent up inside the apartment... oh what a pleasure. This week is officially the first week of homework, I am so excited (please note my extreme excitement). I really haven't been up to much this week besides researching and working on a fifteen page paper with Ashley (I feel like her new twin as we are pretty much together 24/7, soon she will treat me like her twin Leah). I did however manage to skip a day of school to go do some shopping with the girls which was nice. Nothing like eating croissants, drinking coffee and seeing both Gaudi and Zara in a one block radius, that is every architect fashionistas dream.

To add a little excitement to the week we did however make it out last night to partake in the Barcelona tradition of eating tapas. I have come to the realization that there are two types of tapas; those intended for tourist from North America who like to tip and those in the true Spanish style. Last night I think we tried the latter. Between four of us we shared a couple bottles of wine and an assortment of little goodies. From tuna tartar, to Duck Faguar (I have probably spelled this wrong, in layman's terms this would be duck liver). When in Spain there is plenty of opportunity to step out of your comfort zone when it come to the trial and tribulation of sampling and ordering food, it seems never really know what you are going to get. (Photo: Kelly, Kate, Ashley and I at Ginger last night)

On an exciting note Ashley and I just booked some flights to Paris in November. I am going to skip a couple days of class and take in one of my favourite cities in Europe for a few days.

Welcome to my world...

I know, I know you are all soooo jealous looking at the tiny little room that Ashley and I share. I have a few more photos to share, but I am having some problems posting so I will try again tomorrow.

Festes de la Merce - Night Dose Cont.

Here are a few images of the MTV concert

which included performances by Cassius and Hot Chip.

Festes de la Merce - Night Dose

Well night number two proved a lot more action packed, literally. Ashley and I headed out to Borne (a hip community in the old part of the city) to join in the festivities of the fire run. The name says it all, lots of fire and lots of running mostly in an attempt to avoid having your hair and clothing lit on fire by the explosion of home made fireworks. This event reminds me of the Red Mile times 7 and minus all the unnecessary nudity. As you can see from the photos it was a sea of people and it looked as though the city just might be burning to the ground. There were kids decked out in ski masks and goggles dancing to the beat of drums and running through the bursts of sparks. They also had these amazing dragons that reminded me of childhood fairy tales, it would seem the dragons were sleeping and they would suddenly awake to spray the crowd in a menacing burst of flames and green smoke.

With a start like that it seemed inevitable that our night was

only about to get more exciting. From the Gothic Quarter we moved onto the Forum, a completely modern, public venue with multiple concerts and little reminders of Stampede. Needless to say we ended up at the MTV stage and took in three great concerts. As the night went on the beats got faster and we became engulfed in a sea of people dancing. All I can say is what a night... I guess I got to live out that fantasy of the European outdoor dance party, made it to bed at 6:00 am, oh my siblings would be so proud!

Festes de la Merce - Night 1

Last night was officially the first night of the Festival Merce, a week-long party celebrating the patron saint of the city, Our Lady of Mercy. The week is packed with events and free concerts. Last night wondering the streets we stopped in three different plazas where we experienced a range of music from salsa, cha-cha and even a Canadian hip-hop artist. We went out for an excellent meal of Tapas last night. One of my classmates took us to this little tapa bar on one of the narrow streets of Raval in which we were the only tourists, needless to say the food was authentic, delicious and well priced. Really where can you go in Calgary and get a two bottles of really nice red wine and 6 appetisers for under $25 dollars a person. Obviously the food here in Spain is not to be taken for granted. Tonight we are planning to attend a big DJ show out at the Forum, I hopefully I will have some good photos to post.

Sagrada Familia

Okay so having been to Gaudi's Sagrada Familia previously I was really excited to have another chance to see it again. This cathedral was once my most significant architectural tourist destination but I was extremely disappointed to have never had an opportunity to see the interior. I figured this would be the perfect destination to take my sister Chantelle for her first introduction to life changing architecture. It was as beautiful as a I remember and I think it even made an impact on less art appreciative sister, that's significant (just kidding Chantelle).

On a side note we took the lift to the top and you can't imagine how massive this structure is till you are standing, with your legs quivering and your heart beating inside one of these magnificent spires (if you haven't figured it out
already I'm afraid of height).

Lovely Raval

This is just a glimpse of the lovely neighbourhood I walk through to class everyday. At first I thought this was the scariest neighbourhood in the world, needless to say I have been hit on by at least a few rude 16 year old boys here and there are an abundance of men. It actually is a very up and coming neighbourhood even though it is still home to a large immigrant and prostitute population. It is like Victoria Park in Calgary, it is on the verge of becoming very expensive and very trendy. This picture actually makes it look worse than it is as this isn't actually a street we walk down typically, but I am enamored with the quality of the deteriorating buildings here so I couldn't avoid snapping some pics. Unlike Victoria park though there are not drug dealers on every corner and it is actually quite a busy, safe neighbourhood. Maybe I should stop posting the real side of Barcelona or my mom might cancel her trip out to see me. Don't worry soon enough I'll post some of the sights.

What a View....

Okay so I haven't taken any interior snaps of our apartment yet, lets just say I am waiting for the perfect light. But here is the view out my bedroom window, what a sight to behold. By North American standards some might think I am living in a ghetto, but this is very typical of Barcelona's old buildings. If you look at it from an artistic point of view the colours and textures are kind of beautiful but in terms of want I am used to I definitely had to lower my standards a bit, so much for a yard. If you noticed yes that is my laundry, no dryers here just time, sunlight and air.

Week Uno Seems So Far In The Past

The first official week in Spain consisted of a bit of culture shock. I would be lying if I said I initially didn't want to come home. But after a few good days of cleaning and generally getting to know the neighbourhood I am currently living, in Barcelona started to grow on me. Having Chantelle here for the first two weeks I was a little worried as to how to keep her entertained. I think she may have been disappointed in our lack of enthusiasm for going out and getting wasted in one of BCN's numerous SUPER clubs? Lets just blame it on jet lag and not the fact that I am getting old. But realistically I think I will blame my low fun factor on the Chantelle, as it were her friends in London which proceeded to buy us six bottle of Champagne. Needless to say for anyone familiar with my ability to drink (slim to none) I was violently ill the next morning and that was enough to cause me to avoid drinking again for at least another week.

When we first arrived the weather was amazing, you couldn't walk anywhere with out getting a shiny face and sticky from sweat. We spent a lot of time at the beach soaking up the sun and perfect bodies. Having been to Mexico a few times I was under the impression Europeans were generally over weight and wore the smallest bikinis and speedos. Although the latter is true Barcelona's beach is full of beautiful, thin, confident Spaniards, enough to make you think that Canadians and Americans should adopt the siesta lifestyle. I have no doubt that all the men in my life would greatly enjoy a day at one of these scantily clad beaches.

Adjusting to Life in Noisy Barcelona

So this is my first official blog. It took me little bit of time to figure this out but really how hard can it be. Life in Barcelona is definitely a lot more lively and hectic than that which I have grown accustomed to in Calgary. There is much about this city that is going to take some getting used to for instance the smells and noise. I have never been in such a noisy, smelly city in my life. Having been here once before, I can't previously recall the stench that is sometimes Barcelona. Every street is filled with a different smell, there is the stench of fresh dog poop and pee everywhere, the abundance of a curbside garbage receptacles, fish markets, flower shops and a fresh bakery on every corner. So if you are disgusted by a smell one second you can be pretty sure that your mouth will be salivating at the scent of fresh bread, chocolate croissants and pretty little pastries by the end of the block.

Initially the city of Barcelona seemed pretty intimidating. With little knowledge of the Spanish language besides "Hola" and "Gracias" it seemed I wasn't going to get very far in life. The trip started off with a lot of cleaning upon our arrival in this city that never sleeps. Needless to say we were more than a little disappointed upon our arrival to our apartment which we now call home. Lets just say pictures can be deceiving and Europeans obviously don't share the same standard of cleanliness and hygiene as us Canadians. The first couple of days were spent either at the beach soaking up the 35 degree weather or on our hands and knees scrubbing the walls with some good old vim and a little yellow sponge. What an introduction to the fabulous city of Barcelona for my sister Chantelle who accompanied us in the introduction to our new home. Needless to say the new surroundings, a lack of Canadian luxury and never ending sea of people left me feeling a little homesick. But seeing as I have been here for almost three weeks life has become a little easier and I am becoming more accustomed to my new home. I will try to fill you in on the last three weeks and see if I can get caught up on the happenings of my life over the next couple days.