Rambling

It’s been exactly a week since I arrived at my host home. So crazy.

I think an update is necessary before this weekend happens with its tours and trips and whatnot.

Before coming here, I told people I didn’t want to go on tours and do the touristy things. I wanted to meet locals and get to know the city well. I didn’t want to go to the museums. I didn’t want go to the famous and “overrated” sights.

But then, I was humbled. I went on a tour on my first day haha and I learned a lot. There is so much to learn and really dig into, especially with a city like Barcelona or any city for that matter. So. I am going on all the tours I can go on with the program loll. I learned that I have much to learn and it’s a disservice to myself to forgo the opportunities.

On the other hand, today I went to a language exchange meeting. It was really cool. We played a super short game and then talked a while. The locals had to speak in English and the foreigners in Spanish or castellano as they call it. It was super fun and my friend and I ended up getting invited to go out tomorrow night. We’ll see how that goes. It was super endearing to see how open and welcoming they are to los extranjeros.

One thing I’m still getting used to is how they greet with two kisses and how they make the smooching sound for each kiss hahaha. It definitely makes one feel welcomed. Lol I would probably sound like a fool or something if a local heard me talk about it. It’s nothing to them, but it’s cool to me.

Some of the friends I made and I are starting to plan trips. I want to visit Portugal, Istanbul, Greece, Germany, Belgium… so many places, so little time and money lol. It’s pretty exciting though, just being able to pick and choose and plan out a journey. I really have no idea what to expect. Exciting.

There’s so much more I want to say, but I can’t think of it at the moment. I’m so tired from walking all day, which is my primary mode of transportation. Even if I can take the bus or metro, I usually opt to walk home to around the city just ’cause. That probably will not be the case in a week lol I hope my feet are adjusting…

This weekend will be packed. Tomorrow we have a Sagrada Familia tour at 10:30am and then a tour at the Museum of National Art of Catalonia at 2:15pm and then going out later in the night with the people we met today. On Saturday, I have a tour going to Pyrenees, Andorra, and a couple other places, which will be all day. And on Sunday, some of the students are trying to plan a trip to Montserrat, which has been on my to-do list since I had applied for the program. I don’t know if it’s because I’m old but I’m trying to calculate how much sleep I need to pack all this in without dying in class Monday lol. It’s a good problem to have.

Anyway. I’ve rambled enough. For anyone who’s read this far, thanks. I always appreciate it.

Happy Thursday!