Barcelona!

Hola!
My apologies for not having written for a while, ¡estaba liadísimo (I’ve been so busy)! That’s right, I’m picking up on my colloquial Spanish since it is one of the classes I am taking, along with Spanish language, Spanish Institutions, Politics and Society in Spain, and Journalism. The UC Education Abroad Program doesn’t mess around…classes are really tough. They’re pretty much like real college classes, but in Spanish. Yeesh! I’ve been getting through it, but having 4.5 hours straight of class with no breaks and 6.5 hours total on Mondays is not the most fun thing I’ve done here.
On the weekends, though, I’ve been trying to have a bit more fun. This past weekend I flew out to Barcelona and stayed with my longtime friend Brittany, who is from Orinda and goes to UCSB and Temple Isaiah with me also. Barcelona was a great city, with a MUCH different vibe from Madrid; a bit more relaxed since it’s by the beach…a kind of environment I’m used to. They speak Catalan in Catalunya (The province in which Barcelona is located), which is a mix of Spanish and French, and subsequently impossible for me to understand. Nonetheless, I still had a fantastic time touring the city.
On Friday morning, Britt and I went to Gaudi’s Park Güell, which had amazing architecture and equally stunning views of the city. We then ventured over to the architect’s famous unfinished church, La Sagrada Familia – one of the tallest, most amazing cathedrals I’ve ever seen. After that we went to one of the best places I’ve ever been to in my entire life – The Museum of Chocolate. The entry ticket was a candy bar and inside they had huge sculptures made all out of chocolate. So enthralled by our surroundings, Britt and I had to order a hot chocolate after…which in Spain is incredibly thick and more like hot fudge. Words cannot describe it. Pictures can. I’ll post the links at the end of this entry.
Saturday we went to go see Mt. Juïc, where the 1992 Olympics were held. I enjoyed going to the Olympic stadium and seeing the basketball area where the Dream Team dominated. Keep an eye out for those pictures! We went to the National Museum of Catalonian Art, which was in a beautiful palace, and returned that night to the Magic Fountains water and lights show, which was a blast! Overall I had a great time in Barcelona…it was nice to get the experience of travelling there also.
Around Madrid, I’ve just been really busy with school. I’m meeting a lot more Americans on my trip. Not too many Spaniards yet, though. Hopefully soon. Also, I’m planning weekend trips to Rome, Paris, Southern Spain/Morocco/Gibraltar, and maybe London really soon, so that will be exciting. Also, I’m looking around for a good synagogue for Rosh Hashanah, which this year is on my birthday. Woo! My friend who is studying in Israel is actually going to be in Madrid that night too, so that will be fun. This weekend I think I might head over to the towns of Segovia and El Escorial to check them out. We’ll see.
I should get started with homework…it takes a while to get through all the Spanish!

Here are the photo links for the two Barcelona albums:

Album 1: 

http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2281921&l=e0181&id=3624742

Album 2:
http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2281944&l=88a05&id=3624742

Hasta Luego,
Michael