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.