I'm not going to even say it, because I hate the thought of returning to real life soon. It's been a real fun week. We went to the chocolate museum, Montserrat, Ocata, and tomorrow the Dali Museum...and this is the week of friends as well. Jon had arrived a day ago, Matt tomorrow, Joel on Tuesday and Tim on Wednesday!On Wednesday night, as I had mentioned, we went to see Toy Story 3, in 3D iMax and it was totally cute and a great break from the go go go pace. After the movie we meandered on back to the subway and took our leave for the evening.
After class on Thursday Kat, Valentina and I went to this crepe place near the school and had the menu of the day. I was convinced I would be in potty trouble after housing nearly 3 crepes. However, I was actually all set. We wandered around a bit, and decided to go to the Chocolate Museum, since the day was a bit dreary out to suit a beach day. The museum was loads of fun. This was the second time I had been and it was a definite fun time. You got to see all the history of how chocolate came to be in its current form, the artistic chocolate sculptures adorning the walls, and the best part....YOU GOT TO EAT some chocolate. Of course, no trip to the museum of chocolate would be complete without a photo in their silly cutout.
After the museum we made the snap decision to go to Ocata, a virtually undiscovered gem (to us, at least) about 40 minutes away from Barcelona city-centre. We bought our tickets and hopped on the train. Once we arrived in Ocata, we set ourselves up at the Chiringuito (sea-side food/drink stand) and just had a wonderfully relaxing afternoon in the cool sea-breeze and quite ambience. It was paradise, and something that made me sad to leave Barcelona. After a bit of time in Ocata, we headed back. I headed home to study for my exam a bit, and say goodbye to one of the students in the apartment, Creona (from Ireland).
The next day Jon was set to arrive and I had my course exam. I passed! It was difficult, but I wrote a kick-ass essay about....The Simpsons. Now now, don't everyone fall off their toadstools over that. I know my obsession with the Simpsons is almost unknown. My teacher called me a tio creativo (creative dude). I love her, and look forward to meeting with her next week again to polish off my academic track here in Barca.
After class we all met up (the newly arrived Jon included) and headed to Montserrat, since today was a bit of a washout (beach-wise) in the city. The view was amazing, the church was beautiful and I got my grammy some rosary beads, which I'm sure will garner me disapproving (jealous) looks from my cousins as I did when I got my very religious grammy rosary beads from the Vatican last time I was here. The train ride there was a bit of a chore, what with screaming babies, creaking trains, and the silent
uneasiness that accompanied each and whether we'd be heading back with the price of homicide over Kat's head. Once we got there, we had a great time walking around and enjoying the warm, but fall-like air. We took some gorgeous pictures and really just unwound from all the adventures we had had up to that point.
On our way back, once again followed by crying babies, and squeaking train connectors, we planned our evening and went our separate ways. Jon and I met up later that evening to hit up a few bars and enjoy local color. It was great to catch up with him and all of his adventures in Madrid (where he is studying business). I then received a text from Kat telling of future plans for the evening. However, when we finally arrived to meet her, she was being told to go home, that she simply had too much to drink. The series of events previous and future were the subject of many wonderful stories the following day (today), that solicited MANY laughs.
We were back at Ocata today, enjoy the cool beach air, the sand between our toes, the waves crashing against the shore...the many people selling goods on the beac....wait what? We were shocked and dismayed when, just like Barcelona city beaches, there were people selling things along every corner. Beer, water, chips, sundresses, sunglasses, DVDs...it was unreal. I was told at dinner, however, that this is actually illegal in Spain, but that they don't have enough police to really enforce it. I wish they did...I really wish! I ended up body surfing a bit in the waves, and then enjoying some lunch, finally falling asleep on my beach towel (which, by the way, is a North Haven Indians towel), waking up some hours later to the sun perched behind some clouds, signaling our need for departure (in the train with the crying baby....once again).
Now we're setting up for the evening...hoping not to drive Kat's physical state into the ground. Tomorrow morning I pick up Matt from the airport at dawn (hahah) and we are heading up to the Dalí museum for a 1/2 day. Should be fun.
Until next time
~Scott
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