...that's a phrase I hear about every night - it means "come to dinner" in Catalan. One of the classes I'm taking is Catalan language and culture, so I'm able to practice some of what I learn at home, which is pretty cool:)
So I've been in Barcelona for almost a month now, and definitely feeling more accustomed to the way of life here. I just finished my first week of real classes now, and really am occupied for most of the weekdays, which is good, I'm a real student in BCN!
My campus is cool, pretty modern architecture. it's a great location, a couple blocks from the beach, right next to a gorgeous park with fountains and a zoo. However, the fact that I walk outside my classroom during breaks or during lunch and am struck by a cloud of smoke is pretty revolting. The term 'fresh' air does not exist in Barca, you would need to go out of town for that! Which is just what I did last weekend....
A couple friends and I decided to take a little adventure just about an hour and a half out of the city to the serene mountains, specifically out to Montserrat. It is a gorgeous sight: a monastery and museum hidden away in a breathtaking setting of greenery, blue sky, and at the top of steep cliffs. BUT! These cliffs are unlike any I have ever seen, they are smooth, without sharp lines, and fluid, as if somebody took wet sand and dropped it from the sky, to make an elaborate sand castle.
Pictures will be up soon on picasa site.
Have a good day, all.
Next update will be about CARNAVAL!!!!!!
31.1.08
24.1.08
Disculpe!
I will update soon! I promise! BBut here is some good news: you can all see my pictures EASILY on this new site I uploaded my photos to.
Please let me know if there are problemas, gracias.
http://picasaweb.google.com/valgofman
Please let me know if there are problemas, gracias.
http://picasaweb.google.com/valgofman
17.1.08
Una torta...o un tortel..que es la diferencia?
...was my short lesson in Spanish in the kitchen just now, as my host "mother" was preparing dinner. Un tortel is a traditional cake/torte which the Catalonians eat during holy days (similar to the three kings cake they have during Carnaval). However, una torta is the word for a slap on the face. Definitely a good thing to keep in mind when talking about tortels, or tortas for that matter.
Anywho, I just got home from a day on campus and a tour through Museu Picasso and Barri Born. It was a very interesting tour all in Castellano, which discussed Picasso's career from his early childhood through his beginning life in Paris.
There were many paintings from when little Pablito began painting when he was only 8, 10 years old that are just inspiring and incredible. How can such a young child have had such a lucid vision and impeccable skills?? As we moved through the museum, I saw the evolution of Picasso's style and his lifestyle through his paintings. He only began to paint in a cubist style after one of his good friends committed suicide and his painting took a turn to a different, more depressed era: the blue period, where he basically painted in blue tones for 4 years, transitioning into a more cubist type perspective.
The Borne neighborhood, although quite touristy, full of expensive tapas bars and restaurants, clothing stores, and jewelry shops, is very cute and is a place to go get a nice cocktail. I don't think I'll be there too much as I need to save money for travel and going to concerts!!
Well now I believe the tortel will be served *I hope!* and since I'm really hungry (still haven't gotten accustomed to the late dinner every night) I will go help with that!
Hasta luego...
Anywho, I just got home from a day on campus and a tour through Museu Picasso and Barri Born. It was a very interesting tour all in Castellano, which discussed Picasso's career from his early childhood through his beginning life in Paris.
There were many paintings from when little Pablito began painting when he was only 8, 10 years old that are just inspiring and incredible. How can such a young child have had such a lucid vision and impeccable skills?? As we moved through the museum, I saw the evolution of Picasso's style and his lifestyle through his paintings. He only began to paint in a cubist style after one of his good friends committed suicide and his painting took a turn to a different, more depressed era: the blue period, where he basically painted in blue tones for 4 years, transitioning into a more cubist type perspective.
The Borne neighborhood, although quite touristy, full of expensive tapas bars and restaurants, clothing stores, and jewelry shops, is very cute and is a place to go get a nice cocktail. I don't think I'll be there too much as I need to save money for travel and going to concerts!!
Well now I believe the tortel will be served *I hope!* and since I'm really hungry (still haven't gotten accustomed to the late dinner every night) I will go help with that!
Hasta luego...
14.1.08
Vale....
...is the word of the Spaniards. It means "ok" or "right," and people use it every other word practically (more or less...) I've gotten accustomed to it, it's been quite amusing though.
I'm also getting used to the amazing food, cafe con leche, bocatas, or sandwiches, usually with an abundant amount of jamon y tomate.
Also, it's amazing just to be walking around, wandering the streets, and seeing gorgeous architecture and sites, like the arc de triomf, parc de la cuitadella, casa batllo, plaza de espanya, the beach with gorgeous statues, parks at every turn, plaza catalunya.....the list goes on. I'm amazed by the amount of varieties of public transportation available at your disposal, including bike rentals where you pay an annual fee and can use a bike and drop it off at any location (VERY cool) (www.bicing.com), the metro, cable car (like muni), buses, trains, and of course, what I do most, walk. It's a great walking city, and I'm thankful for my comfortable shoes and warm coat.
I just had my first clase de idioma, class in Spanish, which definitely will help me freshen my Spanish a bit now that I've been speaking it constantly every day. I even found myself having trouble remembering certain words in English and thinking in Spanish. It's incredible, being here a mere 10 days or so has catapulted me into the culture, language, mentality, fashion, food, everything. I've even picked up a Catalunya accent and use some local idioms when I speak in Spanish (grathias, que tal?, coge el telefono )
s well it's almost dinnertime here so i'm about to go and then explore the city on a Monday night..will talk about that later
hasta luego!
I'm also getting used to the amazing food, cafe con leche, bocatas, or sandwiches, usually with an abundant amount of jamon y tomate.
Also, it's amazing just to be walking around, wandering the streets, and seeing gorgeous architecture and sites, like the arc de triomf, parc de la cuitadella, casa batllo, plaza de espanya, the beach with gorgeous statues, parks at every turn, plaza catalunya.....the list goes on. I'm amazed by the amount of varieties of public transportation available at your disposal, including bike rentals where you pay an annual fee and can use a bike and drop it off at any location (VERY cool) (www.bicing.com), the metro, cable car (like muni), buses, trains, and of course, what I do most, walk. It's a great walking city, and I'm thankful for my comfortable shoes and warm coat.
I just had my first clase de idioma, class in Spanish, which definitely will help me freshen my Spanish a bit now that I've been speaking it constantly every day. I even found myself having trouble remembering certain words in English and thinking in Spanish. It's incredible, being here a mere 10 days or so has catapulted me into the culture, language, mentality, fashion, food, everything. I've even picked up a Catalunya accent and use some local idioms when I speak in Spanish (grathias, que tal?, coge el telefono )
s well it's almost dinnertime here so i'm about to go and then explore the city on a Monday night..will talk about that later
hasta luego!
13.1.08
http://www2.snapfish.com/photolibrary/owned_view=owned_2008/t_=119642440
Hey everyone, everything's a LOT better now that I finally got my bags from the aeropuerto...so i'm typing now from my ordenador portatil, or laptop ;) Above is a link that will *hopefully* get you to all the pictures that have been accumulating on my camera
enjoy! and please post comments, i'd love to hear from all of you guys :)
Hey everyone, everything's a LOT better now that I finally got my bags from the aeropuerto...so i'm typing now from my ordenador portatil, or laptop ;) Above is a link that will *hopefully* get you to all the pictures that have been accumulating on my camera
enjoy! and please post comments, i'd love to hear from all of you guys :)
12.1.08
Bienvenidos a España
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I have arrived to the beautiful country of España. A ton has happened since I´ve been here, only about a week, including some unfortunate occurrences, which have left me sin maletas, or without my bags. So I have been buying a few necessities here and there, and my host family has been gracious enough to help me out with the situation.
Nonetheless, I´m loving it here - the weather is great, much warmer than I expected, although I still shiver while walking at night, bundled up in my scarf and thick coat (we really are spoiled in sunny CA).
My journey started in Madrid, where the ISA group met and got to know each other a little. We toured the city, went to Museo el Prado, where we saw some of the most famous works from Spain, including Goya, Velazquez, and El Greco. We wandered around the city, had some tapas, and got to know the metro pretty well.
After the full day in Madrid, we moved on to Toledo, about an hour and a half away on bus, the strikingly beautiful ancient city that sits atop a hill. Toledo was the former capital of España, has been in existence since the Romans, 200 BC, so there is un montón de historia. We had a very interesting city tour of the old town, including a monastery, one of the two surviving synagogues from before the inquisition, and a mosque. Seeing the influence of the centuries of Catholic inquisition in this formerly buslting Moorish and Jewish center was absolutely sad. There remained barely anything of the original design and only the basic structure stood. The inside of both the synagogue and mosque were filled with Christian idolitry, altars, tombs next to the religious temples. However, this was the only way to save these religious centers from being destroyed, so in a way, we are still lucky to be able to visit these sites, which the tour guide said are a sort of second pillgriamige for Sephardic Jews after Jerusalem.
The second day in Toledo, we had a full itinerary.
First we visited el valle de los caidos, or Valley of the Fallen, a quite monstrous, gothic, towering, and at the same time awe inspiring monument and chapel with tombs that Generalisimo Francisco Franco commissioned to be built during his reign. It is kind of morbid to think that this man created a monument to prepare for his own burial, as well as the burial of many others who contributed to the side of the Nationalists during the Civil War and dictatorship in Spain. The craziest thing about this place, aside from its size and creepiness, is that it was built inside a mountain, which had to be blown up and hollowed out, many materials had to be trasported to build the monument without any of the sophisticated technology we have today.
After that, we made our way to el Real del Escorial, a former palace of the Austrian and Bourbon kings of Spain, where they have been buried for centuries. There is a magnificent cathedral and one of the oldest collection of books in its library. We took quite a long tour through, as the guide said, not even 10% of the palace. He told us about all the history and legends and traditions as we saw the ornate carved doors, gilded cathedral, and gorgeous marble tombs.
After our long cultural excursions we had free time to eat, and after that we hopped back on our buses and made our way back to Toledo for our last night.
The next day we had our 8.5 hour ride from Toledo to Barcelona. We met our host families right when we were dropped off, so from that point on English was no longer to be the main daily language of communication, but rather Castellano and Catalá. Even though it was challenging for everyone to adjust to the smaller rooms, shorter shower time, lack of personal privacy, and relations with host families, the next morning, everyone was excited to be in the new city and acclamating well.
We had our Spanish placement test that morning, and then had free time to wander and explore the city before our next meeting and walking tour of the Barri Gotic, or Gothic Quarter. I wish I could describe every single street I saw, every adorable alcove, musician, artist, child playing fútbol in the plazas, but I think pictures will do better justice- that´s not until I get my computer, which is in my luggage....
This is my 3rd day in Barca, and I´m getting a better understanding of where everything is located, which metro lines connect to the points of interest, where the more touristy places are, and where we can go to breathe some fresh air next to the sea (my university here is 2 blocks from the beach and the pier!!!!), people watch, or just sit and have some café con leche. I am growing more accustomed to the food schedules, to the cuisine, which has a lot more fried food, olive oil, eggs, jamón to no end, bread, and cheese. I´m not complaining at all, but coming from California, where we have just a little bit different idea of what a salad or sandwich consists of, it´s a little hard adjusting to less vegetables. Having said that, my host mom is very accomodating, and she makes very good food. Last night I had ensalada caprese, fried artichokes, potatoes, and some prawns, followed by mandarin oranges and plantains.
I definitely miss everyone, I miss my room, my car, my food, but I can see myself loving this city and its culture very much.
I hope this gave everyone a flavor of what I´ve been doing for the last week, and I will update HOPEFULLY on my laptop, once I get my maletas!!!
Besos y abrazos,
Valéria
Nonetheless, I´m loving it here - the weather is great, much warmer than I expected, although I still shiver while walking at night, bundled up in my scarf and thick coat (we really are spoiled in sunny CA).
My journey started in Madrid, where the ISA group met and got to know each other a little. We toured the city, went to Museo el Prado, where we saw some of the most famous works from Spain, including Goya, Velazquez, and El Greco. We wandered around the city, had some tapas, and got to know the metro pretty well.
After the full day in Madrid, we moved on to Toledo, about an hour and a half away on bus, the strikingly beautiful ancient city that sits atop a hill. Toledo was the former capital of España, has been in existence since the Romans, 200 BC, so there is un montón de historia. We had a very interesting city tour of the old town, including a monastery, one of the two surviving synagogues from before the inquisition, and a mosque. Seeing the influence of the centuries of Catholic inquisition in this formerly buslting Moorish and Jewish center was absolutely sad. There remained barely anything of the original design and only the basic structure stood. The inside of both the synagogue and mosque were filled with Christian idolitry, altars, tombs next to the religious temples. However, this was the only way to save these religious centers from being destroyed, so in a way, we are still lucky to be able to visit these sites, which the tour guide said are a sort of second pillgriamige for Sephardic Jews after Jerusalem.
The second day in Toledo, we had a full itinerary.
First we visited el valle de los caidos, or Valley of the Fallen, a quite monstrous, gothic, towering, and at the same time awe inspiring monument and chapel with tombs that Generalisimo Francisco Franco commissioned to be built during his reign. It is kind of morbid to think that this man created a monument to prepare for his own burial, as well as the burial of many others who contributed to the side of the Nationalists during the Civil War and dictatorship in Spain. The craziest thing about this place, aside from its size and creepiness, is that it was built inside a mountain, which had to be blown up and hollowed out, many materials had to be trasported to build the monument without any of the sophisticated technology we have today.
After that, we made our way to el Real del Escorial, a former palace of the Austrian and Bourbon kings of Spain, where they have been buried for centuries. There is a magnificent cathedral and one of the oldest collection of books in its library. We took quite a long tour through, as the guide said, not even 10% of the palace. He told us about all the history and legends and traditions as we saw the ornate carved doors, gilded cathedral, and gorgeous marble tombs.
After our long cultural excursions we had free time to eat, and after that we hopped back on our buses and made our way back to Toledo for our last night.
The next day we had our 8.5 hour ride from Toledo to Barcelona. We met our host families right when we were dropped off, so from that point on English was no longer to be the main daily language of communication, but rather Castellano and Catalá. Even though it was challenging for everyone to adjust to the smaller rooms, shorter shower time, lack of personal privacy, and relations with host families, the next morning, everyone was excited to be in the new city and acclamating well.
We had our Spanish placement test that morning, and then had free time to wander and explore the city before our next meeting and walking tour of the Barri Gotic, or Gothic Quarter. I wish I could describe every single street I saw, every adorable alcove, musician, artist, child playing fútbol in the plazas, but I think pictures will do better justice- that´s not until I get my computer, which is in my luggage....
This is my 3rd day in Barca, and I´m getting a better understanding of where everything is located, which metro lines connect to the points of interest, where the more touristy places are, and where we can go to breathe some fresh air next to the sea (my university here is 2 blocks from the beach and the pier!!!!), people watch, or just sit and have some café con leche. I am growing more accustomed to the food schedules, to the cuisine, which has a lot more fried food, olive oil, eggs, jamón to no end, bread, and cheese. I´m not complaining at all, but coming from California, where we have just a little bit different idea of what a salad or sandwich consists of, it´s a little hard adjusting to less vegetables. Having said that, my host mom is very accomodating, and she makes very good food. Last night I had ensalada caprese, fried artichokes, potatoes, and some prawns, followed by mandarin oranges and plantains.
I definitely miss everyone, I miss my room, my car, my food, but I can see myself loving this city and its culture very much.
I hope this gave everyone a flavor of what I´ve been doing for the last week, and I will update HOPEFULLY on my laptop, once I get my maletas!!!
Besos y abrazos,
Valéria
2.1.08
Casi, Casi!
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I will shortly be leaving the states for quite a long time - but, do not fret, I will *hopefully* be updating on this wonderful blog as often as I can. I have many visions of what my time will be like, jet setting, reading and people watching in glorious cafes and gorgeous parks, reveling on the streets of dear Barca, hitchhiking through the mountains...maybe the last one was a bit too 70's.
In any case, it's kind of surreal at this point looking at the whirlwind that is my room - knowing that in some mere hours all of my belongings will be packed neatly into just a few large suitcases and backpacks that will be standing in the middle of an empty room, anxiously waiting their own journey across the Atlantic. Did I just personify my luggage? I guess I did...
Anywho, I am very excited, anxious, eager, bittersweet, and many more emotions I can possibly list without boring my dear readers! But before I leave, I must pack up all my stuff, eat as much of my favorite home-cooked food, and see all the people I can before I leave....
Well, I must bid you adios for now...
In any case, it's kind of surreal at this point looking at the whirlwind that is my room - knowing that in some mere hours all of my belongings will be packed neatly into just a few large suitcases and backpacks that will be standing in the middle of an empty room, anxiously waiting their own journey across the Atlantic. Did I just personify my luggage? I guess I did...
Anywho, I am very excited, anxious, eager, bittersweet, and many more emotions I can possibly list without boring my dear readers! But before I leave, I must pack up all my stuff, eat as much of my favorite home-cooked food, and see all the people I can before I leave....
Well, I must bid you adios for now...
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