La Rambla, the shore and my camera dies for Montjuïc

(la Rambla)

Well, today I left my apartment trying to head to the Museu del Calcat (shoe musuem) and El Jardí Botànic. But this did not happen. I was in the right areas but couldn't find them. It all worked out ok I got to wander through La Rambla area by all the shops. Ended up by the sea on the boardwalk at a small antique fair. Headed towards Montjuic, through Poble Sec and ended at the Magic Fountains. I climbed up to the Palau Nacional. I took a few pictures of the city from that area and my camera died! You can see all of Barcelona, the Olympic arena, Sagrada Familia, the sea; its really a breath taking area.

(again)

(a view from the boardwalk)

(peaceful Montjuic)

The Last Picture!!!

Un Paseo a La Marina

Today I walked from my apartment towards the sea, to the Marina. It is very beautiful. A little cold but you could never tell that from these pictures. Lots of tourists walking up and down the pier and lot of locals hanging out in their boats in the harbor. I had some gelato and sat on the sea wall looking at the city. I spent a while walking around, there are lots of shops, restaurants and clubs right on the water. On my way back I caught a fútbol game in the park. It got very serious, one mom was equip with a megaphone and knew how to use it. Some things are the same cross culture.

a view down the boardwalk

Sculpture in the middle of the Marina Mall (equip with a casino!)

a building I like on the way

The futbol game I watched from a bridge with some locals

Salon Textil Internacional de Barcelona

(a private residence in Pueblo Seco)

Ah today I met the designer I am going to be working for! First I had lunch with the director of my program and he took me to meet Lola at the Salon textil International De Barcelona. She is really awesome. She doesn't speak much English but we understand each other well. The two of us walked around the textile salon. We discussed fabric, talked about her next collection and about the vendors themselves. She picked some fabrics out and I really liked all of them, I think we will work well together. We have some of the same aesthetics. (Click here for her website!) After two hours we rode the metro together and I met the other IEP students for the first time. They were from all over the US and were super nice. They have already been here for a month so they gave me some useful information. We walked around the neighborhood of Pueblo Seco. Its a beautiful neighborhood. We all then had tea and pastries at a Moroccan restaurant. It had a really awesome atmosphere. All and all, lots of good stuff.

Moroccan Restaurant

Tea time

Parque Güell

(an view from the top of Parque Guell)

Today after Spanish I decided to venture out to Parque Guell, the beautiful park created by the one and only Antoni Gaudi. I picked the best day yet because it was so sunny and warm. The light reflects magnificently off Gaudi's work. I walked about a mile out of my way to get there but it was a beautiful day. It is amazing what this city will do to you, I enjoy walking....for hours. Chicago on the other hand no! So I wandered around the Parque Guell. It was really inspiring, I got a lot of ideas for designs there. I can't wait to start exploring them in a design journal. I plan to go back soon and sketch. There were a few people there drawing. Also, I got to run into some Gypsies for the 2nd time. The first time I saw some they were being searched by the cops. I love Parque Guell.

You can't see it here, but this is ridiculously steep with 3 escalators to help you walk up.

There are a lot more pictures, I would suggest exploring. My pictures do it absolutely no justice

El tibidabo
(you might remember Vicki Chirstina Barcelona, this is where they were at one point in the movie)

El Barrio Gracia

Today was my first day of my intensive Spanish class. (Not only is it intense at school but everywhere: ) My host mother only speaks Spanish). I got to ride the metro for the first time. It is incredible. Every train is there in 3 minutes or shorter, there is a clock that tells you when the next train is coming, its huge, clean, modern, and a serious delight to ride. After class I had my first Spanish lunch with Laura from my program. Here in BCN, people eat a small breakfast, a three course/large lunch, and dinner after 9:00PM. Restaurants have a media dia menu where you pick two things, a dessert and most likely coffee. The food is amazing. Also many shops and activities close from 2-4 for the siesta. Laura then proceeded to take me to her favorite neighborhood in BCN, Gracia. It is beautiful and very expensive to live in. Many people were out walking around because after lunch that is what you do. Many shops carry items by local designers. I also saw a poster for life drawing classes so I definitely want to check those out. I bought a Spanish cell phone, stopped at the grocery store for a few quick things and proceed to walk home. Lots and lots of walking here but its wonderful because of the incredible things you have to look at. Angels made me dinner at 9:00pm, we watched passapalabra, chatted and I did my Spanish homework.

A privately owned house designed by Gaudi in Gracia

A apartment in Gracia
Some graffiti (greg there is ton here)

Mi Mobil!

Cuando yo digo a lado de La Sagrada Familia, yo digo A LADO DE La Sagrada Familia

Ahhh finally here after much anticipation. The eight hours of being elbowed on the plane was definitely worth it for the chance to live in this beautiful city. I was greeted at the airport with warm temperature and the director of my program...who told me it was a cold day and that I should wear my coat. We had Spanish tortillas and cafe in a dreamy cafe close to my apartment. I live with a wonderful lady named Angels, right next to the Sagrada Familia....an amazing location! (you can see the construction workers in the picture on the scaffolding) Well the rest of my day included exploring my neighborhood, talking with Angels, and brushing up on my Spanish!
My front doors

My room
The dinning room


Sagrada Familia
(my tourist pic)