Oh the things you learn...

Sorry guys.  I know I'm horrible at updating!  I'll try doing more frequent but shorter posts...it's probably kind of a marathon to read through these long things anways...

BUT

Basically for the last couple of weeks I've been doing school and learning a lot about the history of Barcelona and Catalonia in general!  One of my classes is really interesting because it actually adds context to some of the culture and reasons why things are the way they are here.

(For example, how the Madrid/Barca futbol rivalry is about much more than the sport)

Entrance to L'Ovella Negra where our 'RA' arranged a meeting for people in our neighborhood!

Me and a beer at L'Ovella Negra! 

And then we watched the Barcelona v. Madrid game at the BIG L'Ovella Negra.  SO MANY PEOPLE (this was only 1 room!)

Watching the match with the ladies! 

We went to a display of work by Claret Serrahima, an artist from Barcelona.  He uses his impression of the city and then reflects it in his pieces.  This is a French Bulldog displayed in light.  I thought it was very fitting since there are SO MANY of them here!  (And I'm obsessed with them.  There is a Frenchie named Ike somewhere in my futureeee)

No big, just some pig legs at the supermercat.  This is a totally normal thing.  Also, all the markets smell like fish because they have SO MUCH fresh seafood sitting out to buy.  Lots of shrimp, and I've even seen a WHOLE OCTOPUS.  Appetizing, right?

This is my super fabulous Spanish cell phone.  Ya'll can't call me on it but you CAN marvel at the ancient texting technology....ohhhh how I miss my iPhone :(

In Spain a 'Bikini' is not something you wear, it is this delicious heavenly concoction.  Aka, basically a grilled cheese. But this one was SO GOOD because that melty queso is Brie (mmmmmm brieeee) and there was fresh tomato on it from the market and...I was starving because I hadn't eaten breakfast this day.  In the background you can see some potatoes.  SPANISH PEOPLE LOVE POTATOES.  I don't understand it.

The inside of the little cafe where I had my (delicious) Bikini!  V.  Moroccan vibe going on up in here.  Looove this place!  

A cathedral designed by Gaudi (I think......) at sunset!  This is on the walk to the History Museum of Catalunya in El Gotica, the 'old' part of Barcelona!  Muy bonita siiiiiii
(This is also the day and around the time I was developing a horrible painful blister on my left heel.  Owwww)

I went to the History Museum of Catalunya and learned about the 'history' of the region.  This was for a class and my professor challenged us to think on the ways the museum presents and manipulates the ideas of history, culture, and heritage.  Very interesting. 

The museum was in an old port warehouse.  The arched ceiling and red brick are very typical to Catalan buildings.

Really old stuff.

My rather dashing professor Xavi (pronounced Chavi) learning us some facts.

What a house looked like when the Romans were occupying Barcelona!

Apparently in school they leave out a good 500 years of the history of Catalunya here because they refuse to acknowledge the area was heavily under the influence of Arab/Islamic culture.  They instead attempt to identify strongly with the Romans and with Christian influence.  This still has an effect on the culture of Barcelona!

Me chilling on an awesome horse in the museum.  Yeaaaaaaa

How medieval!

Dead guy.  This is supposedly depicting the peasant uprisings in Barcelona.
(The trip was rich on info, light old stuff and pretty stuff)

Mmmm.  International influence is amazing.  Here I'm eating a frankfurt on a baguette with white cheese in an Irish restaurant in Spain.  BAFFLING.  This sandwich was a little less than amazing....but I needed foooood (and it was relatively cheap for here)

Also, I bet you didn't know the Romans carved a statue of my dad, because obviously they did!

Ciao for now!!  I prooooomise the Valencia trip will be up as soon as I get a camera cord!  (Technology problems uhhhhhhhhh)  I would say enjoy the cold in the states but it's fairly cold here too!  (The darn cold front from Siberia won't leaveeeee! (sounds so exotic, right?))  

I also have more stuff but I'm tired of typing so look for that to come.......sometime.  Haha

Cheers!  Barcelona is almost as exciting as The Wizarding World of Harry Potter!.....almost haha jk)